The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots are playing on the NFL preseason schedule for Week 1 and the game is from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro and starts up past 7:30 pm ET and TV coverage will be on the NFL Network as stars Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady do battle, while Jimmy Garoppolo will get an extended look, as he may start the season at QB for the Pats.
It has not been confirmed yet if Brady will play on Thursday night, but according to ESPN Boston, the QB could see some time in the game against the Packers. Either way, Garoppolo will get extended time and Brady likely would only play for a few drives if he starts the game. The Patriots "left open" the possibility of Brady getting some work in and he could play for part of the first quarter.
Aaron Rodgers is planning to play in the game, as ESPN reports that Mike McCarthy said that everyone will be playing in the game who travels with the team. Last year the Packers did not have Rodgers or Eddie Lacy in the opening preseason game against the Titans, but as ESPN points out, that game had bad rain and the field was tough to deal with.
Brady is currently dealing with Roger Goodell and the DeflateGate situation and while he currently is suspended for four games, things could be changed at some point. The sides have had hearings and could reach a settlement, but right now there is not any clarity on which way it will go. Garoppolo is coming in as the starter if Brady is out and he will likely get work during the preseason for the Pats to give him more experience heading into the first week of the season.
The Patriots open the preseason against the Packers and then they will play on the road against the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers next. The team finishes the preseason against the New York Giants in what has become a yearly matchup for the teams. The travel is solid and the intrigue is great after the Super Bowl matchup's in the past decade.
Everyone is watching for that first Thursday night game with the Patriots and Steelers, as that game could have Tom Brady and Le'Veon Bell suspended. Brady is banned for four games, but it could be cut if the sides agree to make a deal. The Patriots could be without Brady for the game against the Steelers as well as games against the Bills on the road, Jaguars at home and Cowboys on the road. Naturally, Brady would be eligible to return against the Colts in Indy. They are of course the team that the Pats beat when the deflated ball situation came up.
Check here for the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots live coverage from the NFL.