NFL schedule release 2017: Time, TV channel, and live stream for announcement show

Despite being deep into the offseason, the NFL never sleeps. One week before the draft, the league will handle some important housekeeping, releasing the 2017 schedule on Thursday.

Because this is the NFL, the schedule release has to be a long, drawn-out affair, with a live special airing on NFL Network. Fans can stream the event online at NFL.com for participating cable providers.

While there aren’t many concrete details about the schedule, we do know a few things for certain. The New England Patriots will continue the tradition of defending Super Bowl champions kicking off the season, hosting a home game on the season premiere of Thursday Night Football on Sept. 7. Their opponent is not confirmed yet, but it’ll surely be a must-watch occasion, with the Patriots raising a fifth championship banner in the Tom Brady era. We should also expect another Week 1 doubleheader of Monday Night Football.

There will be four games in London this year, and here are the confirmed matchups: Jacksonville Jaguars-Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, Miami Dolphins-New Orleans Saints in Week 4, Cleveland Browns-Minnesota Vikings in Week 7, and Los Angeles Rams-Arizona Cardinals in Week 8. The NFL is also going back to Mexico City, with the Oakland Raiders taking on the Patriots at Estadio Azteca.

As usual, there are three games set for Thanksgiving, and we already know the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys will be featured, although their opponents won’t be announced until the show.

The regular season will wrap up on New Year’s Eve, with all 32 teams set to play on Sunday, Dec. 31. With Christmas falling on a Monday this year, we could get a special holiday edition of Monday Night Football.

It’s a silly time of the season, but the schedule release can be fun. Check it out and mark your calendars for the most anticipated games of the upcoming season.

Time: Thursday, 8 p.m. ET

TV: NFL Network

Online: NFL.com