Brady-prescott kicks off season plus a London return

The NFL is returning to London in October and Tom Brady begins pursuit of an eighth Super Bowl title against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys when Tampa Bay hosts the annual kickoff game Sept. 9.

The first game in London since the coronavirus pandemic will be played Oct. 10 as the Atlanta Falcons face the New York Jets. A week later, the Jacksonville Jaguars meet the Miami Dolphins. Both games will be played at the stadium of Premier League soccer team Tottenham.

The NFL’S first 17-game season opens on the same field where the Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs to become the first team to win a Super Bowl at home. It’ll be Prescott’s first game since sustaining a gruesome ankle injury last October.

Brady returns to New England to face Bill Belichick and the Patriots in a Sunday night game Oct. 3.

Other opening highlights include Matthew Stafford playing his first game for the Rams on Sunday night vs. the Bears with Sofi Stadium welcoming fans for the first time.

Reigning AFC champion Kansas City hosts the Cleveland Browns in a playoff rematch in Week 1.

Burns, former Vikings coach known for wit, dies at 94

Jerry Burns, the colorful character who took over as Minnesota coach in a time of turmoil and led the team to three playoff berths, died at 94. He retired in 1991.