It's a special time, Kickoff Weekend, which begins on Thursday, September 9 this season in primetime on NBC when the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints host the Minnesota Vikings. It's when things start to count.

Some clubs have excelled in openers. Some notable active NFL Kickoff streaks:

The CHICAGO BEARS, who host Detroit on Kickoff Weekend, have 61 wins in home openers, the most in NFL history. The Bears are 61-25-4 (.709) in openers at home, the best mark in the NFC. Chicago has 50 wins on Kickoff Weekend, tied with Green Bay for the most in league history.

The GREEN BAY PACKERS open the season in Philadelphia and have an NFL-best 51 wins in road openers. The Packers are 51-36-2 (.586) in openers on the road, the third-best mark in the league, and have won four consecutive road openers, the longest active streak in the NFC. Green Bay has 50 wins on Kickoff Weekend, tied with Chicago for the most in league history. The Packers, who host Buffalo in Week 2, have 47 wins in home openers, tied for the third-most in NFL annals.

The NEW YORK GIANTS, who open the season hosting Carolina at New Meadowlands Stadium, have 48 wins in openers, the third-most in NFL history. New York is tied for third in league annals with 47 wins in home openers and the team's 48 wins in road openers rank second all-time. The Giants travel to Indianapolis in Week 2 on Sunday night and carry a 48-32-5 (.600) record in road openers, the second-best mark in the league.

The PITTSBURGH STEELERS, who host Atlanta on Kickoff Weekend, have won 39 openers, the most among AFC teams. The Steelers have won seven consecutive openers, the longest current streak in the NFL. Pittsburgh has also won seven consecutive home openers, the third-longest active streak in the league.

The DALLAS COWBOYS own a 34-15-1 (.694) record on Kickoff Weekend, the top mark in the NFL, including wins in a record 17 consecutive openers from 1965-81. The Cowboys, who open the season in Washington on Sunday night, have the league's best record in road openers at 32-18 (.640). In Week 2, Dallas will host Chicago and the Cowboys are 34-15-1 (.694) in home openers, the second-best mark among NFC teams.

The DENVER BRONCOS, who open the season at Jacksonville, have won 16 of their past 21 openers and are 32-17-1 (.653) on Kickoff Weekend, the best mark in the AFC. The Broncos host Seattle in Week 2 and have won 10 consecutive home openers, the longest current streak in the NFL. Denver is 37-12-1 (.755) in home openers, the best mark in the league.

The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS have won 13 of their past 15 home openers, including a perfect 8-0 record at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots open the season at home against Cincinnati and aim for their ninth consecutive win in a home opener. New England has won six consecutive openers, the second longest active streak.

The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, who visit Houston on Kickoff Weekend, have won nine of their past 11 openers and have won five consecutive road openers, the longest current streak in the NFL. The Colts host the Giants on Sunday night in Week 2 and have won six of their past seven home openers.

The MIAMI DOLPHINS, who host the New York Jets on Sunday night in Week 3, are 31-12-1 (.721) in home openers, the second-best mark in the NFL.

The OAKLAND RAIDERS host St. Louis in Week 2 and are 34-15-1 (.690) in home openers, the third-best mark among AFC teams.

The ARIZONA CARDINALS travel to St. Louis on Kickoff Weekend, the 20th time in the past 23 years the club has started the season on the road.

The NEW YORK JETS open the season against Baltimore on Monday night at New Meadowlands Stadium, marking just the 13th time in the past 51 openers the club has started the year at home.

HOME SWEET HOME

The DETROIT LIONS, who host Philadelphia in Week 2, have 48 wins in home openers, the second most in NFL history

The MINNESOTA VIKINGS, who host Miami in Week 2, have won 18 of their past 23 openers at home

The SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, who host New Orleans in Week 2 on Monday night, have won 13 of their past 17 home openers

The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, who open the season hosting San Diego on Monday night at renovated Arrowhead Stadium, have won 14 of their past 21 home openers

The ST. LOUIS RAMS, who host Arizona on Kickoff Weekend, have won 10 of their past 15 openers in St. Louis

The SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, who host Jacksonville in Week 2, have won 10 of their past 17 openers at home

The SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, who open the season hosting San Francisco, have won six of their past seven home openers.

HEAD COACHES

Washington's MIKE SHANAHAN is 12-4 (.750) on Kickoff Weekend and his 12 wins are the most among active head coaches

The New York Giants' TOM COUGHLIN (9-5, .643), New England's BILL BELICHICK (9-6, .600) and Tennessee's JEFF FISHER (9-6, .600) are tied for second among active head coaches with nine wins on Kickoff Weekend

The 2010 Kickoff game on Thursday night features two head coaches with success in openers: SEAN PAYTON of the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and BRAD CHILDRESS of the Minnesota Vikings are both 3-1 (.750) on Kickoff Weekend.

 

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