Packers/Bears to Kick Off Sunday Night Football

NFL Commissioner Robert Goodell announced that the opening Sunday Night football game for the 2009 season will be at historic Lambeau Field.  On September 13, the Green Bay Packers will host the division rival Chicago Bears in the 178th meeting between the two teams.

The game will feature a revamped Packer defense as new Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers will lead the Packers 3-4 hybrid.  Green Bay has run a 4-3 for well over a decade.

"A big national game, that's a great way to start the season.  We're at home, against the Bears. I'm sure our players and fans will be excited," Packer Head Coach Mike McCarthy said.

In a division ripe for the taking, this game probably features a 2009 playoff team.

In the longest running series in the NFL, the Bears lead the series 91-80-6 but the Packers hold a 23-16 edge since 1990.

Also Announced (Opening Weekend)

• Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, September 10
• Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots Monday, September 14 at 7pm
• San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders Monday, September 14 at 10:15pm

Also Announced (Thanksgiving)

• Green Bay at Detroit Lions
• Oakland at Dallas Cowboys
• New York Giants at Denver Broncos

RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

231 days ago

Score 5

And I thought I was excited for last season to start.

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CheezerAll-Star

231 days ago

Score 3

Can ya feel it?!

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

230 days ago

Score 1

Absolutely. Thanks, Cheez for giving me an article that allows me to talk football. Since I only care about (regular season) baseball and football, February and March are pretty lean sports months for me.

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Mvicks21JV Squad

231 days ago

Score 4

Why do they still bother with the doubleheader on the first Monday night? The second game always sucks, and no one on the east coast watches.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

231 days ago

Score 5

Oooh! Ooooh!!! I know! I know this one!!! Is it .... money? It's gotta be money! Money, yeah... That's my final answer, Regis - MONEY!!!

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Behbigben15All-Star

230 days ago

Score 1

The Raiders are always in the second game. I think a Chargers/Broncos matchup would be much more intriguing, especially after the whole controversy earlier this season, plus Cutler and Rivers enjoy jawing at eachother..from across the FIELD!! Although Cutler may not even be a Bronco come opening weekend, so who knows! But about the whole "no one on the east coast watches it" talk, that's not necessarily true, I stay up and watch most of it at least.

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Mvicks21JV Squad

231 days ago

Score 2

Show me the money! There is only a few teams they can put in this time slot too. The Raiders, Chargers, Cardinals, Niners, and Seahawks. Slim Pickins!

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

231 days ago

Score 4

They could always have the game played in another country - time zones be damned!!!

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Behbigben15All-Star

230 days ago

Score 0

Can't they throw the Broncos in this short list (they are pretty close to being close enough, that should count)? Personally, I always love watching a Broncos/Chargers game. For specific reasons, just look at the comment I posted somewhere above this thing.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

231 days ago

Score 1

The Monday night schedule is also supposed to be a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the AFL's founding. All 4 teams were founding members.

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CheezerAll-Star

231 days ago

Score 1

And the Thursday game is the AFC title game that coulda-been.

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

231 days ago

Score 1

When is the NFL going to do away with the tradition of a crapola Turkey Day game and bounce the Lions? I'm all for keeping up with the past, but the Lions have been nigh on unwatchable for quite some time now. I'd prefer a rotating schedule so all teams have a chance for the exposure. We'll get better games and perhaps I'd feel compelled to actually watch. The night game is a nice add-on, but since not everyone has NFL Network, it only benefits a finite amount of viewers.

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JuTMSY4Legend

231 days ago

Score 2

I'm with you on bitching about the night game...the whole NFLN issue makes it ridiculous and I was fortunate to be at the last one, so I didn't have any issues seeing it

That being said, I enjoy the traditional T-Day games and don't see a need for change. I know the lions have laid some real clunkers, but the cowboys haven't exactly lighted it up either...

Unless there's a glaring reason to change it (and I don't see a real one), I like the tradition as is...but that's just my opinion

Though there's no way Jerruh will let the Cowboys one disappear

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

231 days ago

Score 1

The answer is simple then! Make the 1st traditional T-Day game Dallas vs. Detroit. Then make the 2nd game a rotating game. Mr. Goodell, I will send a bill for my consulting fee...

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

230 days ago

Score 1

Interdivisional teams in the same conference (Dallas and Detroit) only play each other once every 3 years unless they finish in the same spot in their division.

The annual Lions' game on Thanksgiving must be an embarrassment to the organization, who normally get to hide their awfulness behind the other games every other weekend.

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Sj-hypocycloidAll-American

230 days ago

Score 0

The NFL is really good at reactionary rule changes...please change that one! I will lobby for Dallas/Detroit - get all the awfulness out in one fell swoop.

As for organizational embarrassment, I suspect that after years with Millen at the helm, they are impervious to embarrassment.

I do see your points, and realize my desired scenario will not be fulfilled...but I can dream, can't I?

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CheezerAll-Star

230 days ago

Score 0

Mike Tanier wrote an absolutely brilliant piece on Thanksgiving day games last year. I especially enjoy this summary, "But Thanksgiving memories belong to Hipple, Danielson, and Sims. They're the players I watched while lying on my uncle's floor in an old Hammonton farmhouse. Those memories should be distinct and unique. You don't watch Citizen Kane on Christmas, you watch It's A Wonderful Life. Not because it's a better movie, but because it triggers the memories that reconnect you to your childhood and remind you that the holidays are a special time."

Thanksgiving is about tradition and watching the Lions play allows you to connect with your childhood. As the world speeds up and things become more transient, this one piece of nostalgia offers an island of calm amid the chaos.

Thanksgiving is not about quality football games. Thanksgiving is about family and friends.

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CheezerAll-Star

230 days ago

Score 1

Besides, my in-laws are from the Detroit area. Watching the Lions lose on the holiday offers the added pleasure of easy money and excessive gloating (assuming they lose of course).

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

230 days ago

Score 2

I just heard the Patriots are wearing their throwbacks on Monday Night. Hopefully the Bills will do the same.

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Behbigben15All-Star

230 days ago

Score 3

Big fan of the Pats throwbacks.

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

230 days ago

Score 2

As am I. Last time we wore them was Thanksgiving against Detroit in '02. So I guess the Lions T-Day game serves some purpose.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

230 days ago

Score 2

Do you have the Steve Grogan 2-story neck roll too?

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Davis21wylieMVP

229 days ago

Score 1

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