<P> The 2017 regular season 's 256 games will be played over a 17 - week schedule which began on September 7 . Each of the league 's 32 teams plays a 16 - game schedule , with one bye week for each team . The slate also features games on Monday nights . There are games played on Thursday , including the National Football League Kickoff game in prime time on September 7 and games on Thanksgiving Day . The regular season will conclude with a full slate of 16 games on Sunday , December 31 , all of which will be intra -- division matchups , as it has been since 2010 . </P>
<P> The 2017 regular season 's 256 games will be played over a 17 - week schedule which began on September 7 . Each of the league 's 32 teams plays a 16 - game schedule , with one bye week for each team . The slate also features games on Monday nights . There are games played on Thursday , including the National Football League Kickoff game in prime time on September 7 and games on Thanksgiving Day . The regular season will conclude with a full slate of 16 games on Sunday , December 31 , all of which will be intra -- division matchups , as it has been since 2010 . </P>
when does the regular season start for the nfl
when does the regular season start for the nfl
September 7
September 7