2016 NFL Schedule: Release Date, Team-by-Team Opponents and More

Soon, NFL fans will be able to clear their schedules in preparation for a fall filled with football. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane, the NFL will officially release its 2016 schedule Thursday evening.

NFL Network will reportedly televise the schedule release at 8 p.m. ET as it runs down the slate for all 32 teams.  

With the 2016 season kicking off Thursday, Sept. 8, and ending Sunday, Jan. 1, here's a look at the opponents each team will face this season, courtesy of NFL.com: 

AFC East	Home Opponents	Away Opponents
AFC North	Home	Away
AFC South	Home	Away
AFC West	Home	Away
NFC East	Home	Away
NFC North	Home	Away
NFC South	Home	Away
NFC West	Home	Away
Buffalo Bills	Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers	Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Miami Dolphins	Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers	Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks
New England Patriots	Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks	Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
New York Jets	Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks	Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Baltimore Ravens	Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins	Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Cincinnati Bengals	Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins	Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Cleveland Browns	Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants	Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Pittsburgh Steelers	Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants	Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Houston Texans	Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions	Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Indianapolis Colts	Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions	Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars	Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings	Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Tennessee Titans	Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings	Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Denver Broncos	Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers	Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kansas City Chiefs	Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Oakland Raiders	Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers	Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
San Diego Chargers	Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Dallas Cowboys	New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals	New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
New York Giants	Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals	Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, L.A. Rams, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Philadelphia Eagles	Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers	Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins	Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers	Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Chicago Bears	Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans	Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Detroit Lions	Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, L.A. Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans	Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Green Bay Packers	Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts	Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Minnesota Vikings	Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts	Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Atlanta Falcons	Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers	Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Carolina Panthers	Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers	Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
New Orleans Saints	Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders	Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders	Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Arizona Cardinals	L.A. Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, New York Jets	L.A. Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Los Angeles Rams	Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins	Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets
San Francisco 49ers	Arizona Cardinals, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Jets	Arizona Cardinals, L.A. Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Seattle Seahawks	Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, L.A. Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins	Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, L.A. Rams, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Jets

While dates have yet to be announced for all those showdowns, here's a look at a handful that should draw plenty of eyeballs when the fresh campaign rolls around. 

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

Quarterback Brock Osweiler bolted from the Denver Broncos to sign a four-year, $72 million deal with the Houston Texans during free agency, so there will undoubtedly be heavy interest in the signal-caller's return to the Mile High City.

Speaking to reporters at his introductory press conference in Houston, Osweiler offered the league's schedule-makers a free idea when it comes to the timing of the AFC clash. 

"It would be a hell of an environment to go back there for opening night," he said, according to the Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson. 

And while Osweiler's return will serve as the primary narrative when the two sides meet, a Texans-Broncos tilt could also be a serious contrast in styles. 

Coming off a Super Bowl win buoyed by tremendous defensive play, the Broncos will look to carry momentum into the 2016 season a year after ranking fourth overall in opponents' average scoring (18.5 points per game). 

Conversely, the Texans will be eyeing a statement win as they roll out a new offense featuring Osweiler, running back Lamar Miller and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.   

The Texans owned the league's seventh-stingiest defense on a points-per-game basis last season, and a meeting with the defending AFC South champions could be a tough one for a Broncos team that's set to enter a period full of transition. 

Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos 

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton figures to have revenge on his mind when the reigning NFC champions travel to Denver for a Super Bowl 50 rematch. 

Not only did the Panthers come up short, 24-10, in Santa Clara, California, but Newton was criticized by members of the Broncos defense after he came up empty trying to recover a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter.

"That's the way he is," former Broncos and current Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan said, according to The MMQB's Robert Klemko. "Playing for himself." 

"He didn't want it," Aqib Talib added, per Klemko. 

Armed with motivation as he seeks to capture a second straight MVP award and lead the Panthers to the promised land, Newton should be considered the most dangerous player the Broncos will face all season, given the circumstances surrounding the showdown. 

Los Angeles' Home Opener

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time since 1994, the Rams will call Los Angeles home. And even though the opponent for L.A.'s home opener at the Coliseum has yet to be pegged, the meeting will be a spectacle for all the players and fans involved if things play out the way ESPN's Adam Schefter believes they will: 

The game will also represent an aesthetic shift for Rams players who had become accustomed to the indoor confines of the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. 

"The Coliseum is such an historic place; that will be neat for our players," Rams general manager Les Snead said, according to the Los Angeles Times' Gary Klein. "I think our players will really enjoy being outdoors."

A scan of the Rams' home opponents shows the Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will all be options, along with L.A.'s usual NFC West foes, so the NFL won't have a shortage of compelling challengers to choose from.

Starting off with the Panthers, Seattle Seahawks or Arizona Cardinals wouldn't put the Rams in a favorable spot to begin their home slate in style, but it would make for quite a show under the bright Monday night lights.