NFL Sunday on Sky Sports: Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns host games
Monday 18 September 2017 04:33, UK
Live Sunday night NFL action returns to Sky Sports with our first triple-bill of the season this weekend, and the line-up for Week One is a corker!
We are live on Sky Sports Action (407) from 5pm for another night of near-on 12 hours of wall-to-wall NFL - the AFC North divisional game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Browns kicking us off in Cleveland.
Then, the NFC juggernauts take over as the Seattle Seahawks travel to Green Bay to play the Packers from 9pm, before we see East divisional rivals New York Giants and the Cowboys clash in Dallas from 1am.
As well as all of that, there is the return of NFL RedZone, live on Sky Sports Mix (121) from 6pm.
So, what can we expect from our first Sunday of live action? Any more upsets like the opening night defeat for the defending champion New England Patriots? Here's a look ahead to our Sunday night triple-header...
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns, Sky Sports Action (407), 5pm
In 140 characters…
Cleveland were an NFL-worst 1-15 last year and their last four wins over Pittsburgh have taken 17 years and 34 matches to achieve. Home win?
What's the latest?
Rookie defensive end, and No 1 overall draft pick, Myles Garrett misses out for Cleveland after being diagnosed with a bad ankle sprain during a Wednesday practice session. Bad news Browns fans as the injury is likely to keep him out beyond just Week One too.
Stat attack
The Browns have lost a record 12 straight NFL season-openers in a row since tasting victory over the Baltimore Ravens on opening day in 2004. Will the Steelers sweep in and make that an unlucky 13?
Key battle
Antonio Brown versus practically the entire Browns defence... that's how much it takes to stop this guy! Well, not quite, but Brown certainly is one of the most dynamic, explosive receivers in the game. However, he was actually bottled up well by Browns D in Cleveland last year - scoreless and posting only 76 yards in his only game against the division rivals as he was rested for their Week 17 match-up prior to the playoffs. But, the narrative was a little different in 2015 as Brown torched Cleveland for a combined 326 yards and three TDs across their two contests. Which way will it swing on Sunday?
Live NFL
Game-changer
Le'Veon Bell. Having only just this week signed his franchise tender with the team, watch out for Bell as he looks to prove he's worth a substantial new deal from the Steelers. Last year, he played in only 12 games, missing game time at the start of the season after being suspended by the NFL for violating their substance abuse policy. Despite that, Bell was just a mere 94 yards shy of surpassing his career-best 1,361 yards he set in 2014.
Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers, Sky Sports Action (407), 9pm
In 140 characters…
Two NFC titans sure to be in the post-season shake-up, with star QBs Wilson and Rodgers both eager to add to their solitary Super Bowl rings.
What's the news?
Seahawks star defensive end Michael Bennett has accused police in Las Vegas of racism and excessive force after a gunpoint confrontation following the recent Floyd Mayweather versus Conor McGregor fight.
Stat attack
This Week One match-up features the quarterbacks with the two best career passer-ratings in NFL history (minimum 1,000 pass attempts) - Rodgers' 104.1 edging out Wilson's 99.6.
Key battle
With that in mind, and given that neither of these teams have much of a running-game to go on - the Packers have a receiver-turned-runner Ty Montgomery in their backfield, while the 'larger-than-life' Eddie Lacy returns to Lambeau Field to face his former side - the deciding factor of this game will likely be determined by the success of either quarterback.
Live NFL
Game-changer
Martellus Bennett. The Packers have been crying out for a consistent tight end target for Rodgers for years. Jared Cook was supposed to be that man last year, but only truly started delivering in the post-season. That, coupled with Bennett's strong 2016 while with the Patriots, and the fact that Seattle have had their struggles against tight end's of late, means Martellus is one to watch come Sunday.
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys, Sky Sports Action (407), 1am
In 140 Characters…
This tasty clash gets prime-time billing again in Week One. Dallas won in 2015, while NY prospered last year... Who edges the decider?
What's the latest?
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has had his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy put on hold and he is now free to feature in Week One of the season and beyond.
Stat attack
The Giants were the only team to beat the Cowboys twice in 2016, with two of their three regular-season losses both coming at the expense of their New York NFC East neighbours.
Live NFL
Key battle
So, rookie running sensation Elliott takes to the field for Week One after a drawn out battle with the league over a suspension but, though that fight seems to be going in his favour right now, don't assume he'll have it all his way in this game too. The New York defence was dominant last year - second best in the league in points allowed - just the 284 against their name - and, perhaps even more crucially, they were fourth-best in stopping the run. Who wins the battle in the trenches will go a long way to deciding the outcome in Dallas...
Game-changer
Eli Manning. Poor old Eli doesn't get any credit. If you were drafting a prototype 'ideal' quarterback, one with 211 consecutive NFL starts - third, behind only Brett Favre (321) and Peyton Manning (227) - and who could deliver two Super Bowls (and perhaps one or two more?) would tick off two fairly desirable boxes. But, still, he's an unfashionable pick. Yet, up against emerging superstar quarterback Dak Prescott on the opposition, don't put it past Eli playing party-pooper once again.
Week One continues on Sunday with three live games on Sky Sports Action as well as RedZone on Sky Sports Mix - all the action gets underway from 5pm.
For those on the move our NFL Sunday Live blog at skysports.com/NFL will keep you up to date with the all the scores, big plays and spectacular TDs and follow our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL
