The NFL Network will not be showing any specific games on Sunday, but will bring live analysis and highlights from around the league.
The day kicks off with NFL Total Access at 6 a.m. before moving into pregame analysis from various reporters from around the league, including Sterling Sharpe, Kurt Warner, and Warren Sapp.
NFL GameDay Live starts at 1 p.m. EDT. The program features the biggest moments from all the games from around the league, and will be airing until 7:30 p.m.
Following the bulk of the games, NFL GameDay Highlights airs at 7:30 p.m. and takes a look back at what happened during the games on Sunday.
Check out the full schedule below.
6 a.m.
“NFL Total Access” - NFL Network’s nightly flagship program brings you all the latest information, opinions, highlights and interviews with the NFL players and coaches that you need to know. Hosted by Dan Hellie and Amber Theoharis.
7 a.m.
‘‘NFL GameDay First’ - Start Game Day with Melissa Stark, Sterling Sharpe and Shaun O'Hara for live reports from around the country as the teams make their way to the stadiums.
9 a.m.
“NFL GameDay Morning” - Rich Eisen is joined by Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin and Steve Mariucci to get you set for all of Sunday’s action with expert analysis, stadium reports from around the league and their game picks.
1 p.m.
“NFL GameDay Live” - Hosts Kevin Frazier and Dan Hellie take you through the biggest moments from all of the day’s action as they happen with in-progress up to the minute highlights from around the league.
7:30 p.m.
“NFL GameDay Highlights” - Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson and Steve Mariucci along with host Chris Rose break down all the highlights from Sunday’s afternoon games and look ahead to Sunday Night Football.
8:30 p.m.
“NFL GameDay Highlights” - Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson and Steve Mariucci along with host Chris Rose break down all the highlights from Sunday’s afternoon games and look ahead to Sunday Night Football.
9:30 p.m.
“NFL GameDay Highlights” - Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson and Steve Mariucci along with host Chris Rose break down all the highlights from Sunday’s afternoon games and look ahead to Sunday Night Football.
10:30 p.m.
“NFL GameDay Highlights” - Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson and Steve Mariucci along with host Chris Rose break down all the highlights from Sunday’s afternoon games and look ahead to Sunday Night Football.
11:30 p.m.
“NFL GameDay Highlights” - Deion Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson and Steve Mariucci along with host Chris Rose break down all the highlights from Sunday’s afternoon games and look ahead to Sunday Night Football.
12 a.m.
“NFL Gameday Final” - Join Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and host Chris Rose for extensive highlights, analysis and the fantasy breakdown from all of Sunday’s games.
See an Associated Press story below.
Division matchups spice NFL openers
The NFL has spiced up the end of the regular season with a steady diet of division matchups. It hasn’t done a bad job of juicing the opening weekend with just that, too.
New England is at Miami in a very early AFC East showdown, while the entire AFC North faces off, with Cincinnati at Baltimore and Cleveland at Pittsburgh. The NFC South has the same setup, with New Orleans at Atlanta and Carolina at Tampa Bay.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to have another growing step,” Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth said of visiting Baltimore, where Cincinnati has dropped its past three games.
“We’ve talked about it over the years. We’ve had this little step here or that little step there where this team’s continued to improve. But we haven’t won in Baltimore.
“So what a great opportunity for us to go and try to get that milestone out of the way.”
It’s also a critical game in what could be the tightest three-team race in the league. Of course, Pittsburgh would need to avoid stumbling against Cleveland to validate its place in that race.
Yet the main focal point at Heinz Field could be whether Johnny Football gets to play any football. Will first-round pick Johnny Manziel, a backup to Brian Hoyer, get some snaps at quarterback for Cleveland?
“I said that I expect them to utilize him in some way during the course of the game,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “I didn’t say they were going to start him.”
The season kicked off Thursday night when defending champion Seattle ran around, over and through Green Bay, 36-16. Marshawn Lynch rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns, Russell Wilson threw a pair of touchdown passes, and the Seahawks kept Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense off-balance much of the night. Rodgers threw for only 189 yards.
Also Sunday, it’s Indianapolis at Denver in the only matchup of 2013 division winners; San Francisco at Dallas; Jacksonville at Philadelphia; Buffalo at Chicago; Washington at Houston; Minnesota at St. Louis; Tennessee at Kansas City; and Oakland at the New York Jets.
The Monday night doubleheader has the New York Giants at Detroit, followed by San Diego at Arizona.
New England at Miami
Tom Brady remembers the Patriots’ trip to Miami last December, although he'd prefer to forget it: a 24-20 defeat.
“We put a lot of work in over the course of the offseason and the summer to put ourselves in a position to capitalize on this game,” Brady said. “There’s not much more you could ask for than to have such a great opportunity.”
Miami’s revamped offensive line, coming off the bullying scandal, will be a focal point.
New Orleans at Atlanta
Here’s an immediate chance for the Falcons to show 2013 was a fluke. They'll have to come up with a running game, better blocking and certainly a stingier defense, beginning with this meeting against their archrivals.
It’s a tough assignment, particularly trying to slow the Drew Brees-to-Jimmy Graham combination.
Carolina at Tampa Bay
There’s a school of thought that the Panthers are headed downward after a surprise division title, and the Bucs under new coach Lovie Smith are ascending. This opener could reveal plenty, and Panthers QB Cam Newton is on the mend from a rib injury.
Two of the league’s best linebackers will be on display, 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly for Carolina and Lavonte David for Tampa.
Indianapolis at Denver
No question that Peyton Manning vs. Andrew Luck belongs in the Sunday night game. Spotlighting the Broncos always makes sense, particularly coming off that shellacking in the Super Bowl.
Ignoring Indy’s chances would be unwise, though. Since Luck replaced Manning, the Colts have been on the rise.
“To be honest, even since Day 1 here, it hasn’t been an issue. I never came in saying, ‘Oh, I have to replace a legend, one of the greatest of all time,’” Luck said. “Professional sports people, they come and they go. Someone’s going to replace me eventually, hopefully later rather than sooner.”
San Francisco at Dallas
For once, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn’t talking Super Bowl. He could be talking first pick in the draft after this season, especially if Dallas is as weak defensively as many project.
San Francisco’s defense has been hit hard at linebacker by injuries (All-Pro NaVorro Bowman) and suspension (Aldon Smith). There’s a sense the 49ers have taken a step back, so a top-level performance Sunday would temporarily silence some critics.
Jacksonville at Philadelphia
We’re already gasping for air in anticipation of the pace the Eagles play in Chip Kelly’s second season as coach. Most intriguing is how much Philly gets from Darren Sproles, a perfect fit for this offense and a great partner for All-Pro RB LeSean McCoy.
The big question with the Jaguars: How soon does No. 3 overall draft pick QB Blake Bortles play?
Buffalo at Chicago
An awful offseason for Buffalo, including the death of owner Ralph Wilson, a Hall of Famer, couldn’t end soon enough. The regular season doesn’t show a lot of promise, either. Also, and a meeting with the seemingly vastly improved Bears doesn’t bode well. The Bills’ new prize, wideout Sammy Watkins has rib issues.
If Chicago’s defense, with the additions of Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston, can complement the strong offense featuring Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte, the Bears could make lots of noise in the NFC.
Washington at Houston
Bounce-back themes rule for two teams that plummeted last season and made coaching changes. The Redskins’ offense under Jay Gruden will be designed to keep Robert Griffin III in the pocket more often, but without completely constricting his running skills.
Houston needs its talented defense, led by star end J.J. Watt and top overall draft choice Jadeveon Clowney, to revitalize the franchise in Bill O'Brien’s first year at the helm.
Minnesota at St. Louis
With Rams QB Sam Bradford (knee) gone for the season, a conservative attack is likely for St. Louis. When opponents have the ball, the Rams will unleash what could be a tenacious pass rush led by Robert Quinn.
To combat that, the Vikings need Adrian Peterson to perform as he did in his 2012 MVP year. That certainly could happen.
Tennessee at Kansas City
The Chiefs began last season 9-0 before slumping, and they did little to the roster in the offseason because of salary cap constraints. They do have some dangerous difference makers in RB Jamaal Charles and LB Justin Houston, and coach Andy Reid re-established his excellent credentials last year.
Ken Whisenhunt takes over in Tennessee with a young team featuring plenty of changes. One constant: strong safeties in Michael Griffin and Bernard Pollard.
Oakland at New York Jets
The Raiders have lost 13 straight games in the Eastern time zone.
Second-round pick Derek Carr gets the start at quarterback over Matt Schaub, and he'll face a Rex Ryan defense that figures to make him uncomfortable and perplexed. But the Jets have deficiencies in the secondary, so if Carr gets some time, he could have a successful debut.
New York needs to unleash its three-pronged running game behind Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell to prosper.
New York Giants at Detroit, Monday night
Eli Manning and the Giants are adjusting slowly to the West Coast offense installed by new coordinator Ben McAdoo. Even though the Giants won all five preseason games, their starters did little with the ball.
Under new coach Jim Caldwell, Detroit needs to be more disciplined. The talent is there to be a contender.
San Diego at Arizona, Monday night.
A nice way to finish off the opening weekend. The Chargers closed with four wins to make last season’s playoffs and then won a wild-card game at Cincinnati. If their pass defense has improved, they could reach the postseason again.
The Cardinals won 10 games and it got them only a quick trip home in the tough NFC West. Another 10-win season might not be enough again.
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