PHOENIX (AP) — As part of the celebration of its 100th season

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey , the NFL will break from tradition and feature the Packers vs. the Bears in its season opener Sept. 5.Usually, the Super Bowl champion is the home team for the prime-time opener, but the league wants to salute historic rivalries in 2019. None fits better than Chicago-Green Bay. The teams have met 198 times since 1921, when the Bears were the Chicago Staleys. Green Bay leads the series 97-95-6, including the clubs splitting two postseason games.Staging the Thursday night game at Chicago’s Soldier Field — even if it is a modernized version of the stadium — adds to the theme. There will be a free fan festival and concert in nearby Grant Park and, for the first time, the league has approved a free viewing event of the game in the park.“We see that around other sports,” said Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president for league events. Such viewings, for example, have been a staple of the World Cup for decades, and hockey also has adopted the practice. “It will create a big festival environment.”This will be the first time since 2003 the Super Bowl champion has not played in the opener. New England instead will open at home in the prime-time game Sunday night, Sept. 8. The opponent has not yet been determined. The full schedule will be announced next month.“With the 100th season, we want to do something to kick it off in a special way,” said Hans Schroeder, the league’s chief operating officer of media. “We’re celebrating the Bears, one of the original member clubs Josh Jones Jersey White , in their 100th season, and the Packers are in their 101st. It’s an iconic matchup.”Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel invoked the name of George Halas, the team’s founder, in welcoming the news.“George ‘Papa Bear’ Halas and the NFL’s co-founders probably didn’t imagine the federation they established 100 years ago in cities and towns across the Midwest would one day be the most successful professional sports league in the world,” Emanuel said in a statement. “But that’s what their vision achieved. Chicago — the most American of American cities — is the perfect venue for this game.”Schroeder and Brian Rolapp, the NFL’s chief media and business officer, outlined other plans for the 100th season: NFL Films will produce a series that selects the 100 greatest teams, plays, games, characters and game changers; an all-time team is being chosen and will be featured in a TV series; and Peyton Manning will talk to fans around the country about the history of the NFL for another television series.The league also disclosed plans for next month’s draft that will supplement the proceedings in Nashville. Teams will make selections in eight of the original 13 towns that comprised the NFL for its first season. In Dayton, Ohio, the field used back then, Triangle Park, still exists, and a selection will be made there. The NFL also has committed to installing new turf on the field.“This is a really special moment for our city,” Dayton mayor Nan Whaley said. “We’re excited that the NFL is recognizing the places that were there in the very beginning and that they are celebrating Dayton’s special history in paving the way for the league with a donation that will leave a lasting impact in the community.”Each of the 32 clubs will stage a “Fantennial Weekend” during the regular season in which it will work in conjunction with local high school football teams on a Friday, stage a fan festival on Saturday Aaron Jones Jersey White , and then have former players from the NFL club at the game on Sunday. The home team also will reveal the greatest moment or play in its history that day.Rolapp said the league is talking to DIRECTV about expanding the digital presence for its popular Sunday Ticket option that makes available all out-of-market games. The NFL could opt out of its contract with DIRECTV after next season.“The world has really changed and how people consume games has changed,” he said. “How do we broaden these rights, deliver more easily to digital platforms?” GREEN BAY, Wis. — One week, one win for Packers interim head coach Joe Philbin.Now, the self-effacing, self-deprecating Philbin wants to keep the momentum going from Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons to keep alive Green Bay’s slim playoff hopes. At the least, there are positive vibes in the locker room as the Packers begin preparing for NFC North-leading Chicago next week.Packers CoveragePhotos of the Week: 7/21/19 – 7/27/19Packers rookie Gary’s biggest critic is himselfTop Tweets: Former Badger TJ Watt has impressive four-year transformationPHOTOS: 2019 Green Bay Packers training campPackers’ Rodgers, LaFleur ironing out offense, building chemistryPlayers to watch at Green Bay Packers 2019 training campLaFleur: Offense still a work in progress as Packers open campPackers release defensive tackle Mike DanielsGreen Bay Packers 2019 training camp primerPackers’ Rodgers not ranked as a top-5 quarterback in Madden 20Philbin and many of his players watched the Bears defense throttle the Los Angeles Rams’ juggernaut offense during a 15-6 victory on Sunday night. He said that carrying forward the renewed energy while playing for a new coach that was evident from the 34-20 victory over the Falcons will be a challenge going forward.“I imagine a lot of those guys were watching the game. Intelligent men that they are, (they know) we’re going to have to play an awfully good football game on Sunday at noon in Chicago,” Philbin said Monday.It has been a week since the offensive coordinator replaced the fired Mike McCarthy.Philbin said that he doesn’t plan to install his own tweaks to the team’s schedule. The Packers have kept a relatively similar preparation routine.That steady approach was a hit with Philbin’s players, most of whom had not been on the team during his previous stint in Green Bay (2003-2011).There were rave reviews from many players, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, one of the few holdovers from Philbin’s first tour; and receiver Davante Adams, who hadn’t played for Philbin before he returned this year as coordinator.12<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:PHOTOS: Packers vs. FalconsJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports | Jeff Hanisch“Everybody just bought in. You could feel it around the locker room, you can feel it in plays. Everybody bought in to what Joe has given us http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-ray-nitschke-jersey ,” said cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who signed with the team midseason and barely knew Philbin before he became the interim coach.Breeland returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give the Packers a 17-7 lead, a turning point early in the game.“He took control the first day he stepped in. It was a glorious moment for him to step in and get this win,” Breeland said.Philbin didn’t get off to a smooth start on Sunday.He challenged back-to-back sideline catches by Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones in the span of 19 seconds early in the game, losing both reviews. It left him without a replay challenge for the final 57 minutes of the game.Philbin was still convinced on Monday that the first call should have been overturned. But he said that he shouldn’t have thrown the challenge flag on the second.“I did establish an NFL record, myself, yesterday,” Philbin deadpanned. “That’s forever in the books.”Kidding aside, Rodgers, who has been close with Philbin since his rookie season of 2005, praised Philbin for his even-handed approach during a tumultuous week.“He was in a tough situation this week with the change and trying to get the right messages across to get guys motivated at a time where (the team was 4-7-1) and most people expect us to maybe throw in the towel,” Rodgers said.“And guys didn’t. Guys responded. I’m proud of them … but Joe deserves a lot of credit for the vision he set forth this week.”Now, it’s back to work, with the daunting challenge of the Bears (9-4) up next as the Packers try to get their first victory on the road after an 0-6 start.“We haven’t had the type of success on the road that we need to have as a football team,” Philbin said “That’s really all we’re focused on right now.”