The 2017 NFL season only concluded last month but preparations for next season are well underway. Teams have already been using the off-season to strengthen rosters by making trades and a number of big names have already moved. Danny Amendola signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins last week, moving to Florida from New England. Just one day after being released by the Seattle Seahawks, cornerback Richard Sherman agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with San Francisco two weeks ago. But it's not just personnel being traded. Last Saturday, the New York Jets were able to trade up to the third overall pick of the 2018 draft after a deal with the Indianapolis Colts. They shook up the draft board, moving up three spots from number 6, putting them in prime position to potentially take a franchise quarterback.The draft will take place from April 26-28 and after that's out of the way, teams can get down to business.One thing that's always exciting for fans is finding out who will kick off the season and according to reports, the first game of 2018 will be a blockbuster. Howard Eskin, a sideline reporter for the Philadelphia Eagles, has claimed that the Super Bowl champions will take on the Minnesota Vikings in the opening game on Thursday, September 6.That, of course, would be a rematch of the NFC championship game. 

Back in January, the Vikings visited Lincoln Financial Field as slight favourites to beat the Eagles and reach Super Bowl 52, hosted in their home stadium. 

However, Philadelphia, led by backup quarterback Nick Foles, brushed Minnesota aside and won 38-7. Foles threw three touchdowns and completed 26 of his 33 pass attempts for 352 total yards.  

The rest is history as the Eagles went on to beat the Patriots 41-33 in one of the most memorable Super Bowls in recent memory. 

Minnesota will probably be dreading a return to the Linc, but it would set up an explosive kickoff to the 2018 season. 

However, it probably won't be Foles that they come up against as Eagles quarterback. 

Carson Wentz, who was injured in week 14 of the 2017 season, is expected to return in time for 2018. 

He tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Rams but has been working on his return during the off-season. 

Wentz is expected to retake his place as a starter, but defending a Super Bowl championship he didn't actually win will be a strange feeling for him. 

Although, there would be no better place to start than a repeat of the NFC Championship game he missed back in January.