NFL Week 1 officially begins Monday

The wait is nearly over. Today is the final Sunday with no NFL regular-season or postseason football games until February.

The Arizona Cardinals will face the Buffalo Bills on the road next week and the result will count against their record. The stats amassed will be counted.

That means a week of practice begins.

The Cardinals will hold a “bonus” practice on Monday before a day off on Tuesday and then three days of game preparation practice.

There will be injury reports and a depth chart that means a little more.

The league’s first official game is on Thursday between the Baltimore Ravens and defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

Then on Friday is a game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo.

Sunday will have 13 games, one at night and then one more on Monday.

Football is back, baby!

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