Eagles host Falcons to kick off ’18
Super Bowl champion Philadelphia will host Atlanta to kick off the 2018 NFL season on Thursday night, Sept. 6, the league announced last night.
Green Bay hosts Chicago in the first Sunday night matchup on Sept. 9, while the Monday nighters on opening weekend feature the New York Jets at Detroit, followed by the Los Angeles Rams at Oakland.
The Eagles also will play at England’s home of soccer when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8 at Wembley Stadium.
That’s one of four international games. The other match at Wembley will be the previous week with the Los Angeles Chargers hosting the Tennessee Titans. Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, also in London, will be the site for a Raiders home game on Oct. 14 against Seattle.
For the third straight year, the NFL will stage a game in Mexico City: the Rams will host Kansas City in a Week 11 Monday night game.
Thanksgiving will provide a feast of divisional games. The traditional doubleheader in Detroit and Dallas has the Lions playing the Bears, followed by the Redskins at the Cowboys. At night, it will be Atlanta visiting New Orleans.
Fox, which will do 11 Thursday night games, begins its package in Week 4 with the Vikings at the Rams. Those contests also will be televised by NFL Network and in Spanish on Fox Deportes. NFL Network has seven exclusive broadcasts.
Giants cut WR Marshall
The New York Giants released veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
General manager Dave Gettleman confirmed the move during his pre-draft news conference. He said the 34-year-old Marshall failed his physical.
Marshall was scheduled to make $5 million this season.
After signing a two-year, $12 million contract as a free agent, Marshall played in five games last season. He was hurt against the Chargers in October and had season-ending ankle surgery.
Marshall finished the season with a career-low 18 catches for 154 yards and no touchdowns.
Freeney to retire as Colt
Defensive end Dwight Freeney will retire as a member of the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. Freeney was a seventime Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro and played in three Super Bowls. He won his only title with the Colts in 2006 . . . .
The Arizona Cardinals signed cornerback Marcus Williams to a one-year contract.