Washington Redskins @ Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers live on Sky Sports
Monday 12 September 2016 23:22, UK
Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Washington Redskins before San Francisco 49ers host Los Angeles Rams in Monday's NFL double-header, live on Sky Sports.
Washington Redskins @ Pittsburgh Steelers from 11.55pm on Sky Sports 1
NFC East champions Washington Redskins begin their 2016 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will have Ben Roethlisberger among their ranks.
However, the Steelers will start the season without first choice running back Le'veon Bell after he was suspended the first four games of the season. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin will also be without Martavis Bryant, but they are able to rely on the services of wide receiver Antonio Brown.
After 16 starts and 29 touchdowns, the Washington Redskins' quarterback, Kirk Cousins, will be hoping he can lead them to another NFC East division title.
Los Angeles Rams @ San Francisco 49ers from 3am on Sky Sports 1
The uncertainty at quarterback has dominated off-season preparation for both teams ahead of the regular season.
Colin Kaepernick, who had already lost the starting job, will continue to be reserve to Blaine Gabbert after an indifferent pre-season campaign.
In contrast the Rams, who return to LA after 22 years, have been working with rookie quarterback Jared Goff, who was selected first overall in the 2016 draft.
However, Goff has struggled in his early snaps and Case Keenum will remain as starter for week 1.
Key match ups
The Rams will want to rectify the record of being ranked as the worst offensive team in 2015 - despite the efforts of Todd Gurley, who won offensive player of the year.
The Rams head coach will target Tavon Austin, who signed a new deal with the franchise in pre-season, and Gurley throughout the game. The 49ers' defence is talented but inexperienced, and will be forced to learn quickly.
The 49ers will be hoping that linebacker Navorro Bowman, who led the league in tackles last year, can be as effective this year after signing him to a new $77m contract in the off-season.