The Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens will kick off the 2013 NFL season on Sept. 5, when they travel to Denver to take on the Broncos, the league announced Thursday night. The game will once again be aired by NBC.
It's customary for the reigning champion to kick off the season at home, complete with a pregame concert and banner unveiling. However, due to a scheduling conflict with MLB's Baltimore Orioles, who share a parking lot, the Ravens were forced to begin the season on the road.
The season premiere of NBC's Sunday Night Football on Sept. 8 will feature the New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys, while ESPN's Monday Night Football doubleheader the next night will see the Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins followed by the Houston Texans vs the San Diego Chargers.
NFL Network begins its Thursday Night Football slate Sept. 12 with the New York Jets against the New England Patriots.
The annual Thanksgiving tripleheader will feature the Detroit Lions taking on the Green Bay Packers on Fox; the Dallas Cowboys facing off against the Oakland Raiders on CBS; and Pittsburgh Steelers at the Ravens in NBC's primetime slot.
A full schedule for the 2013 season can be found here.
