The new NFL season kicks off this week with defending champions Seattle Seahawks hosting a Super Bowl rematch against the New England Patriots, after the Seahawks' defence, led by British coach Aden Durde, dominated the Patriots to win the title in February. Durde became the first overseas coach to win the Super Bowl and says the team is already focused on the new campaign, with the Los Angeles Rams seen as their biggest rivals and favourites to win Super Bowl 61 after strengthening their roster.

The season opener has been brought forward to a Wednesday for the first time since 2012, partly because the Rams' clash with the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne falls foul of US rules on Friday broadcasts. Other highlights include the Buffalo Bills' new stadium hosting its first game against the Detroit Lions, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker facing his old team Seattle on 25 October after joining Kansas City, and an expanded five-game Thanksgiving week featuring a Patrick Mahomes-Josh Allen rematch and a Black Friday game between Pittsburgh and Denver.