#FromStateToSundays: Week 1 Preview – Mississippi State – Mississippi State Athletics
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Football Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – The NFL season officially kicked off on Thursday night but the season starts on Sunday for Mississippi State’s alumni on the next level.
Sunday’s slate features nine games involving former Bulldogs, including three head-to-head matchups. Former MSU offensive linemen Charles Cross and Gabe Jackson will close out Week 1 on Monday Night Football as their Seattle Seahawks host the Denver Broncos.
It will be Cross’ NFL debut after being drafted ninth overall this past April.
The first battle between Bulldogs will start Sunday at noon as Logan Cooke’s Jacksonville Jaguars visit the newly named Washington Commanders and Montez Sweat. Tyre Phillips, who was recently picked up by the New York Giants, will be tasked with blocking the Tennessee Titans’ talented defensive line duo of Denico Autry and Pro Bowler Jeffery Simmons at 3:25 p.m.
Cameron Dantzler and the Minnesota Vikings will also host the Green Bay Packers at 3:25 p.m. The Packers feature offensive guard Elgton Jenkins and linebacker Preston Smith. Running back Kylin Hill is also with Green Bay but begins the year on the physically unable to perform list while still recovering from an injury sustained last season.
Also in action at noon on Sunday will be J.T. Gray and the New Orleans Saints visiting their rival the Atlanta Falcons. Martin Emerson will make his NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns as they invade the Carolina Panthers while Fletcher Cox and Darius Slay of the Philadelphia Eagles will visit Slay’s former employer in the Detroit Lions.
Mississippi State’s current team won’t be the only Bulldogs competing in the state of Arizona this weekend. Kansas City Chiefs defensive dynamos Willie Gay Jr. and Chris Jones will travel Phoenix to play the Cardinals at 3:25 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jonathan Abram takes on the Los Angeles Chargers at 3:25 p.m. while Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys close out Sunday’s string of games hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7:20 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 11
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons | 12 p.m. FOX
S J.T. Gray (NO)
Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers | 12 p.m. CBS
CB Martin Emerson Jr. (CLE)
Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions | 12 p.m. FOX
DT Fletcher Cox (PHI)
CB Darius Slay (PHI)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Commanders | 12 p.m. FOX
P Logan Cooke (JAX)
DE Montez Sweat (WASH)
New York Giants at Tennessee Titans | 3:25 p.m. FOX
DE Denico Autry (TEN)
OG Tyre Phillips (NYG)
DT Jeffery Simmons (TEN)
Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals |3:25 p.m. CBS
LB Willie Gay Jr. (KC)
DT Chris Jones (KC)
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers | 3:25 p.m. CBS
S Johnathan Abram (LV)
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings | 3:25 p.m. FOX
CB Cameron Dantzler (MIN)
OG Elgton Jenkins (GB)
LB Preston Smith (GB)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys | 7:20 p.m. NBC
QB Dak Prescott (DAL)
MONDAY, SEPT. 12
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks | 7:15 p.m. ESPN, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2
OT Charles Cross (SEA)
OG Gabe Jackson (SEA)