The National Football League went ahead with the announcement of the 2020 NFL Schedule on Thursday night, and despite some earlier reports that the league would take steps to potentially minimize the impact of a delayed start to the season – such as front-loading non-conference games – the NFL Schedule looks largely like the types of schedules we have seen in the past. The year begins with a lot of division rivals squaring off in Week 1, and there is no shortage of intriguing matchups throughout the year. Here is an early peek at some of the games we at Touchdown Wire already have circled on our calendars.

Week 1: Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs

(Sorry Chiefs fans, but under the terms of my contract I am obligated to use this photograph of Bill O’Brien every time the Texans are mentioned until they win a Super Bowl).

The season kicks off, as they usually do, with the defending Super Bowl Champions hosting a game on Thursday night to kick off the entire season. A banner will be raised, the Lombardi Trophy will be paraded around Arrowhead Stadium, and the Chiefs – and their fans – will have another chance to celebrate together.

But then a game will be played, and while our lasting image of the Texans from the 2019-2020 season might be them blowing an early lead at Arrowhead Stadium during the Divisional Round last playoffs, a lot has changed with the AFC South squad. DeAndre Hopkins is no longer a Texan, and some other questionable moves made by O’Brien the general manager have many wondering if this team has improved at all. This opening game will give everyone a chance to see if the gap between these two AFC contenders has narrowed, or widened.