Jets And Giants Are Back Sunday: What To Know Ahead Of NFL Season

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Professional football returns after the Labor Day weekend, with all 32 National Football League teams kicking off play this week.

In a battle of likely top defenses, the New York Giants are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos in Week One at home on Sept. 12 at 4:25 p.m. The New York Jets are scheduled to play the Carolina Panthers in Week One on the road on Sept. 12 at 1 p.m, setting up a matchup between Sam Darnold and his former team — and new quarterback.

Other highlights for the Giants include Week 5 and Week 15 on the calendar, as they take on the division rival Dallas Cowboys. As for the Jets, rookie quarterback Zach Wilson will square off against the New England Patriots and the notoriously unkind-to-rookies Bill Belichick defense in Week 2.

In welcome news to fans for the 2021 season, MetLife Stadium has no physical distancing or capacity requirements lingering due to the pandemic. Face masks aren't required for entry, but "all guests, regardless of vaccination status, are strongly recommended to wear masks in indoor public spaces in accordance with the NJ Department of Health recommendations."

Guest won't be required to show proof of vaccination nor a negative COVID-19 test for entry.

Vaccinations have been a topic surrounding the league since the offseason, despite there being no mandate for fans nor players.

Though not mandated — albeit possibly considered in roster cuts, some coaches have said and then backed away from — unvaccinated players could cost their team games if an outbreak were to occur.

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero first reported that "if a game cannot be rescheduled during the 18-week season in 2021 due to a COVID outbreak among unvaccinated players, the team with the outbreak will FORFEIT and be credited with a loss for playoff seeding."

The 2021 season will be the longest in the history of the NFL, as the league approved an expansion from 16 to 17 games earlier in the offseason. In the new scheduling format, all American Football Conference teams will host an additional game in odd years, and all National Football Conference teams get an extra home game in even years.

The NFL will kick off the 2021 regular season on Thursday, Sept. 9, when the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys.

Three games are scheduled for Thanksgiving, which falls on Nov. 25 this year. The Chicago Bears will visit the Detroit Lions before the Las Vegas Raiders play at the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills go to New Orleans to play the Saints in the holiday nightcap.

With the regular season extended an extra week, the traditional Week 17 division rivalry matchups will be held in Week 18.

For the full 2021 schedule for both teams, click here: NFL Schedule Released: See Key Giants, Jets Games In 2021

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