The 2015 National Football League (NFL) regular season is all set to kick off on Thursday night with the defending Super Bowl XLIX champion New England Patriots taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough in the opening game.

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The 2015 NFL opening day live ceremony / pregame game ceremony will comprise performances by many New England musicians, celebration of Super Bowl XLIX championship moment and unveiling of the team's fourth championship banner in 14 years, according to Patriots website. 

The site has also given out the following guidelines to its fans to ensure a hassle-free entry to the stadium:

  • Stadium gates open by 6.30 pm, so fans are encouraged to be seated by 8 pm to witness the opening ceremony.
  • Metal detectors will be placed at the gates, so fans will be asked to remove mobile phones and cameras.
  • Use I-95, I-495 or Route 140 to access Route 1 and Gillette Stadium.
  • Fans from I-95 (North) should stay to the right and park their vehicles in P10, and those from I-495 (South) are encouraged to stay to the left and park in P10 or P11.
  • Parking lots at the stadium opens at 4.30 pm, so fans are encouraged to reach set off for the games venue early.

The 2015 NFL opening day game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off at 8.30pm ET Thursday at Gillette Stadium. It will be telecast on NBC and NFL official website has provided live streaming information of all NFL games. 

New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Preview:

The opening game is going to be interesting with both the Steelers and Patriots having 2-0 records in the NFL opening matches.

Tom Brady has been cleared to play for the Patriots but the team will miss Brandon LaFell (reserve/physically unable to perform), and cornerbacks Darrelle Revis (singed for New York Jets) and Brandon Browner (singed for New Orleans). LeGarrette Blount will not play on Thursday owing to one-game suspension over substance abuse charge.

However, their defensive backfield is still strong with Malcolm Butler and Devin McCourty. Brandon Bolden, James White and Dion Lewis should play main roles.

The Steelers are also crippled with Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant being suspended for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy, and Maurkice Pouncey ruled out due to an injury. So the team will reply on DeAngelo Williams, Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Heath Miller.

Thursday's opening game is expected to be a tight one but the defending champions are no doubt the favourites to win. They have an incredible 100-19 win-lose record at Gillette Stadium since it was opened in 2002, so it looks it won't be easy for the visitors to win the opening game.