(WFSB) - The NFL season kicks off Thursday evening with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys.
The big three teams followed by so many in Connecticut open up their season on Sunday and are hoping to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
For the Giants, their success could hinge on their quarterback situation.
They acquired 10-time pro bowler and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson in the offseason and also selected Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss in the NFL Draft.
Wilson will start under center for the team and will look towards star receiver Malik Nabers as his number one option.
As for the defensive side of the ball, there is a ton of excitement.
They drafted Penn State standout Abdul Carter with the third pick in the draft to add on to an already stacked core with Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Giants will travel to Landover, Maryland to take on the Washington Commanders, who made the NFC Championship game a season ago and are looking to repeat that success with star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
With them on the road, that means that the Jets will have their home opener at MetLife Stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The game is quite ironic as former quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now the conductor for black and gold.
The Jets will trot out Justin Fields as their quarterback. He is wildly athletic and could bring a spark to a franchise that desperately needs it.
New head coach Aaron Glenn will look to get off to a hot start, and his disciplined style of play could be what the Jets need to reach the pinnacle.
Unfortunately for them, starting offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker has been ruled out for the season with a torn triceps injury.
Finally, in Foxborough, the Patriots revamped their identity over the offseason.
New head honcho Mike Vrabel, a former linebacker for the Patriots, took over for another former star in Jerrod Mayo after his first season in charge.
As the season went on in 2024, New England showed signs of improvement, and quarterback Drake Maye will be looking to take a leap forward in his second year.
The team is a very popular sleeper pick due to the coaching change as well as offseason acquisitions including former Bills receiver Stefon Diggs and draft pick Will Campbell out of LSU.
They will open at home against Las Vegas Sunday.
_Copyright 2025 WFSB. All rights reserved._