The NFL already has announced that the 49ers and Rams will meet in Melbourne in Week 1.
The NFL already has announced that the 49ers and Rams will meet in Melbourne in Week 1.Godofredo A. Vásquez/Associated Press
NEW YORK — The NFL will release its complete regular-season schedule on Thursday.
The announcement made Friday is in line with the past couple of years, when the schedule has been released during the second week of May.
The league already has announced that the 49ers and Rams will meet in Melbourne in Week 1. The game will be aired in prime time in the United States at 8:35 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 10. Melbourne is 14 hours ahead of New York and 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles and San Francisco, meaning the game will kick off at 10:35 a.m. the next day in Australia.
The game between the Ravens and Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro will take place in Week 3 (Sept. 27).
The other seven international matchups will be announced on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Eastern on “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network.
Dates for other key games are expected to filter out during the week. Typically, networks announce one of their showcase games during so-called up-fronts to advertisers.
The Seahawks will begin defense of their Super Bowl title in the kickoff game on Sept. 9. The opponent has not been announced.
The NFL could opt for an immediate Super Bowl rematch since the Patriots are scheduled to visit Seattle. Last season, the Super Bowl rematch between the Eagles and Chiefs took place in Week 2.
Other likely possibilities include the Bears, Chiefs, Cowboys or Chargers.