Brady, Bucs to make yet even more history with Kickoff Game

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady, Buccaneers set to make yet even more history with NFL Kickoff Game

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 5/12/21

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished last season by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium, which made them the first NFL team to win a championship in their home arena. It also was quarterback Tom Brady's his seventh Super Bowl ring—the most all time for players or teams.

In more ways than one, Brady and the Bucs are picking up right where they left off and will make even more history in the process. Tampa will host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 9, to kick off the 2021 NFL season.

KICKOFF GAME SET

We'll open the season at home against the Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 9. #GoBucs
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) May 12, 2021

Week 1. Thursday Night Football. Cowboys at Buccaneers. Brady vs Dak.

The #GMFB crew breaks it all down. pic.twitter.com/Il1v2xhdM0
— GMFB (@gmfb) May 12, 2021

"It will mark the first time the Bucs will play in the Kickoff Game, the season-opening contest that was introduced in 2002," according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. "The Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII, then opened the next season on Monday Night Football, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in 2003."

As for Brady:

Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers will kick off the 2021 NFL season against the Cowboys on Thursday, September 9.

Brady has the most starts (4) and wins (3) in the kickoff game of any quarterback since the NFL started playing such games in 2002. pic.twitter.com/duD46zbpLR
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 12, 2021

The Bucs are additionally the first team in the league's salary cap era to return all 22 starters from a Super Bowl-winning roster.

The intrigue isn't reserved for Tampa, though. The Cowboys, who finished 2020 at a disappointing 6-10, will be eager to welcome back Dak Prescott. The recently well-paid quarterback suffered a compound ankle fracture last October but felt he could "go play in a game right now" as of last week.

The NFL will unveil complete schedules for all 32 squads beginning at 8 p.m. EST on NFL Network.

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