FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots will host the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL regular season opener on Thursday, Sept. 7, and here is everything you need to know to watch the game.
The Patriots are looking to defend their Super Bowl LI title. The NFL’s Thursday Night Kickoff began in 2002, and New England has hosted every year since 2004, when it also won the national championship.
The Patriots and Chiefs will meet for the first time since a 27-20 New England victory in the AFC Divisional Playoffs on Jan. 16, 2016 at Gillette Stadium. It will be the first regular season meeting since the Patriots suffered a 41-14 loss in a Monday Night Football game played at Kansas City on Sept. 29, 2014.
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The Chiefs are 6-10-2 in games played at New England, including 0-3 at Gillette Stadium (0-4 including the postseason).
The Pats will have Tom Brady start at quarterback — unlike last season’s opener, where Jacoby Brissett filled in while Brady served his four-game Deflate-gate suspension — but will be missing wide receiver Julian Edelman, who was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL on Aug. 26.
The Chiefs are hoping rookie rusher Kareem Hunt will fill in for Jamaal Charles this season. Kansas City also listed listed tight end Travis Kelce as a limited participant in practice with a calf injury.
Brady is 50-1 against AFC opponents on his home turf. Also likely starting for the Patriots will be Rob Gronkowski, whose 2016 season ended early due to a back injury, and three new signings: wideout Brandin Cooks, cornerback Stephen Gilmore and tight end Dwayne Allen.
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
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