NFL News & Notes: Finally, Football Week Is Here!

Article By
Last Updated: 
Share On Your Network
NFL News & Notes: Finally, Football Week Is Here!

Fans and bettors starved for live U.S. football action are in luck. Beginning with the start of the NFL preseason this week, football fans can look forward to games from now into February.

That doesn’t mean there has been a professional football drought.

Currently, the Canadian Football League is in the midst of its season, leading to the 2025 Grey Cup title game on Nov. 16 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. At this point, the Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders have the best records in the nine-team league.

But for NFL and U.S. collegiate football fans, the wait is almost over. Beginning this Thursday, July 31, the NFL kicks off its preseason with a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

The NFL regular season begins Sept. 4 and concludes with the Super Bowl on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

In the major collegiate ranks, the schedule begins Aug. 23 and ends with the CFP national championship game on Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

For those who can’t wait for the July 31 start of the NFL preseason, football fans, especially fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, can catch of glimpse of tight end (and Taylor Swift boyfriend) Travis Kelce during a cameo appearance in “Happy Gilmore 2” now airing on Netflix. The “Happy Gilmore” sequel is appearing 29 years after the original premiered in 1996.

Will NFL Player Go Into Business With Reputed Former Mob Boss?

In recent weeks, the Arizona Cardinals have not responded to emails seeking comment regarding a potential business arrangement involving one of its players.

Earlier this month, NFL News & Notes reported that Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson is seen on video discussing possibly going into business with reputed former Philadelphia Mob boss and convicted felon “Skinny” Joey Merlino.

Merlino recently opened Skinny Joey’s Cheesesteaks on South Broad Street in Philadelphia. In a video on the restaurant’s Instagram page, Wilson, while eating at the establishment with Merlino at the table, says the chicken cheesesteak at Skinny Joey’s is “fire.”

Merlino then tells Wilson he’ll open a restaurant in Arizona “for you.”

“Yeah, do that,” Wilson says, “so, I can, we can do one together.”

According to organized crime expert Jerry Capeci, the Mob has put Merlino “on a shelf.”

“He's lost all his rights and responsibilities as a wiseguy and now has essentially a persona non grata relationship with wiseguys in Philadelphia and everywhere else,” Capeci wrote in 2024 on his Gang Land News website.

More NFL News & Betting Resources

Facebook Icon Twitter Icon Linkedin Icon Email Icon Copy Link Icon
Get Unrestricted Access
Join the excitement! Create a FREE Account - So many have already secured their premium access.
Get Unrestricted Access Now
Expert Analysis, Tips & Picks
Free To Play Games
Exclusive Bonuses
Enter All Competitions
Rate Casinos & Sportsbooks
JOIN NOW