2016 NFL Schedule: League Releases Official Regular-Season Slate
After Peyton Manning rode off into the sunset with a Super Bowl title, thanks in large part to the stellar efforts of his defense, the Denver Broncos will begin the defense of their championship on Thursday, September 8, against the Carolina Panthers.
The NFL has whet the appetite of its fans, officially unveiling dates for the 2016 season after teams have known their opponents since January. There will be a total of 512 regular-season games, starting with the Broncos vs. Panthers on September 8 and ending on January 1.
| Thursday, September 8 | Regular-Season Opener |
| September 11-12 | Regular-Season Kickoff Weekend |
| Sunday, January 1, 2017 | Final Day of Regular Season |
| January 7-8 | NFL Playoffs Begin |
| Sunday, February 5, 2017 | Super Bowl 51 (NRG Stadium) |
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With NFL.com releasing the full schedule for next season, here's where you can find each team's matchups and notable things to look for when games start.
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West
Division to Watch: AFC West
Even before the Broncos had their quarterback situation change, the AFC West was one of the NFL's most intriguing divisions.
Denver has had a stranglehold on the AFC West for the past five seasons, advancing to the divisional round in the playoffs every year during that span.
The Broncos could lose their perch atop the AFC West in 2016, though. This team has huge quarterback questions after Manning retired and Brock Osweiler bolted to the Houston Texans for big money.
While the Broncos still have time to address their quarterback concerns, right now, their depth chart consists of Mark Sanchez and Trevor Siemian.
That being said, it wasn't like Manning and Osweiler dominated opponents last year. That duo combined for 4,216 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 23 interceptions during the regular season.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post argued that the Broncos have the ability to win a Super Bowl if Sanchez ends up as the starting quarterback:
"Sanchez was miscast in Philadelphia in [former head coach] Chip Kelly's offense. The scheme doesn't work when the quarterback represents no threat to run. Sanchez profiles better in [Denver head coach] Gary Kubiak's offense. But let's call it like it is: He has to dramatically reduce his turnovers. The reason Manning regained the job and kept it was because he stopped throwing interceptions and audibled into correct running plays. Sanchez provides a ready option.
"
This is an ideal situation for Sanchez, who is back with a team similar to the one he was with during his first two years with the New York Jets when they reached consecutive AFC title games behind a stellar defense and a power-running game.
The problem for Sanchez and the Broncos is the AFC West is a deep division that's only getting stronger. There will always be doubters with the Kansas City Chiefs because of head coach Andy Reid's clock management and quarterback Alex Smith's propensity to throw short.
But those issues didn't matter during last year's regular season, as the Chiefs won 11 games with running back Jamaal Charles injured for the season's last 11 games with a torn ACL. They answered their biggest free-agent questions early this offseason, re-signing tight end Travis Kelce and placing the franchise tag on Eric Berry.
As great as Denver's defense was in 2015, Kansas City's defense was arguably just as impressive in the regular season, allowing the third-fewest points (287) and recording the fourth-most sacks (47).
The AFC West's good vibes don't stop with those two teams. The Oakland Raiders are no longer a joke, coming off their most successful season since 2011. They have three stars in quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper and all-world pass-rusher Khalil Mack.
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, who also worked with Super Bowl MVP Von Miller as Denver's defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2014, told ESPN.com's Jeffri Chadiha last year that Mack is more physical than Miller:
"I think Khalil is way more physical than Von. Von got up to somewhere around 250 pounds when I had him but he's naturally closer to 240. Khalil can be up around 260 or 265, and they both play that strongside linebacker position and sub-pass-rusher role. Since most teams use their sub packages for two-thirds of the game, there will be some opportunities there. They're different, but they're both special.
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Any comparisons to Miller now won't resonate for a lot of fans because of how great he was for Denver in the playoffs, but Mack is a monster off the edge, recording 15 sacks in just his second NFL season.
As things stand, Carr might be the best quarterback in the division. Philip Rivers is still very good, but at 34 years old, he's as good as he will ever get. While Carr didn't end his second season strong with four interceptions in the last three games, his final totals of 3,987 yards and 32 touchdowns were impressive.
The Raiders are still trying to build a defense around Mack. Even with the signing of Sean Smith, their secondary needs help after finishing 26th in passing yards allowed.
It's too soon to say the Raiders are going to compete for a division title, but they should be in the 2016 playoff race because of their young nucleus.
It's hard to know if the Chargers are as bad as their 4-12 record last season indicates. They haven't been an elite team for a long time, but they hadn't posted a record worse than 7-9 since 2003.
There are many needs in San Diego, notably on the defensive line to help ease the burden on pass-rushing linebackers Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu. The offensive line was also abysmal last season, finishing last in Pro Football Focus' post-regular-season rankings:
"Injuries hurt them to the point they had 12 players take snaps on the line, and nine feature for more than 100 snaps. That kind of lack in continuity is a killer, but still doesn’t explain how bad this group was. Big-money signing Orlando Franklin didn’t produce, and former first-rounder, D.J. Fluker, is not impressing. They just haven’t got it right on the line, and it shows each and every game.
"
Running back Melvin Gordon had a disappointing debut season with 641 yards and no rushing touchdowns, but a lot of those struggles can be chalked up to dreadful blocking up front. It's also remarkable Rivers threw for 4,792 yards and 29 touchdowns behind that group.
The Chargers are clearly the No. 4 team in the AFC West, but as long as they can look competent on the offensive line, there's a world of talent on offense to push them back into that seven- or eight-win mix.
Denver's defense will make it the favorite to win another division title, but questions at quarterback will bring the Broncos back down to earth from the 12-13 wins they managed each of the last four years. Kansas City has the most talent on both sides of the ball in the AFC West, while the Raiders are on the rise.
Most Anticipated Matchup: Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers
With 512 games to choose from, many matchups qualify for the year's most anticipated. Who doesn't want to see the Super Bowl rematch between Carolina and Denver? Or the Seattle Seahawks visit Gillette Stadium for a showdown with the New England Patriots?
But in terms of looking at matchups between two of the NFL's best teams that could have significant playoff ramifications, it's hard to find one better than a rematch of the NFC Championship Game featuring the Panthers hosting the Arizona Cardinals.
If you recall that game from January, which everyone in Arizona has blocked out, it was a nightmare of epic proportions for the Cardinals. Signal-caller Carson Palmer had six of Arizona's seven turnovers in the 49-15 loss, including four interceptions.
The 36-year-old was brilliant throughout 2015, setting career highs in passing yards (4,671) and touchdowns (35), but the year could not have ended in a more disastrous fashion.
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic he has complete confidence Palmer will rebound in 2016: “There’s no doubt in my mind. He’ll come back with more vengeance than before the injury.”
This is an Arizona team that will be among the NFL's best, even if Palmer isn't as good again in 2016. David Johnson was a gem at running back, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and 12.7 yards per reception. Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown form a perfect big-play trio at wide receiver.
The Panthers should come into the season with a chip on their shoulder and not just because of how the Super Bowl ended. Despite posting a 15-1 record, they are behind New England and level with Seattle and Green Bay in the odds to win Super Bowl 51, per Odds Shark.
Cam Newton is the reigning NFL MVP, yet he was busy fighting off criticism about his toughness after not diving for a loose ball in the Super Bowl. That wasn't his finest moment, and he's not immune from criticism. But how much more does he have to prove?
It feels like the Panthers haven't gotten their due respect despite being one of three NFC teams to make the playoffs each of the last three years.
This is the biggest NFC matchup of the year, one that could have potentially huge ramifications on playoff seeding when January rolls around.
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