Cam Newton Redemption Tour and Other Thoughts on This Year's NFL Schedule

 1. The Cam Newton Redemption Tour

The last time many of us saw Cam Newton, he walked off a podium, leading to an unnecessary, ridiculous and bloated conversation about his demeanor and professional responsibility.

Thank God that’s over.

The last time many of us saw Peyton Manning, he walked off a podium, leading to a necessary, heartwarming conversation about riding off into the sunset a winner and his place in history.

Too bad that’s over.

The NFL released its schedule Thursday night, and while there is much to discuss in this special-edition 10-Point Stance, the most intriguing matchup is the Carolina Panthers at the Denver Broncos, simply because of what’s happened to both teams since the Panthers were embarrassed on the biggest of sports stages. This is the first time in league history the previous year’s Super Bowl teams have met on opening day.

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

The Panthers will play a franchise-record five prime-time games because the networks know everyone, all season, will be watching Newton.

Both teams have a great deal to prove. The Broncos—specifically that defense—want to prove they can win with any quarterback, whether that quarterback is a Manning or not.

That Broncos defense will have work to do, especially if it’s Mark Sanchez starting. Manning wasn’t great last year, but going from him to Sanchez is like going from a starship to a skateboard.

Yet even more intriguing is that game will be the beginning of the post-Super Bowl-loss Newton. What will his mentality be like after such a horrible loss and following the reaction to his reaction?

I believe Newton will grow and get even better. He’ll be the Super Bowl winner next year, and his podium appearance will be vastly different. He’ll be ecstatic.

But Carolina will have to watch the Broncos unveil their Super Bowl banner. It will be painful to watch for the Panthers, but then the redemption year will begin.

2. Revenge Game, Part 1

Robert Griffin III will play his old team in Washington on Oct. 2. That game will be, well, intense.

One day, Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins will talk honestly and openly about what his relationship was like with Griffin. I've been told, multiple times over the past few years, that Griffin wasn't always the nicest dude to Cousins.

Cousins will want to win the game anyway. He'd want to beat Griffin simply because Griffin was once the starter there. But Griffin may not be the only one who takes that game extremely personally.

And imagine the consternation in Washington if somehow Griffin wins that game. 

3. Revenge Game, Part 2

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson reported Brock Osweiler was miffed at how the Broncos treated him before he bolted for Houston. He'll get his chance to make the Broncos question their decision Oct. 24 when he travels to Denver.

I'm not so sure how many Broncos players were sad to see him go. I watched Aqib Talib on ESPN recently basically throw a tiny bit of shade Osweiler's way.

No matter what the Broncos think of Osweiler, they should be more scared of J.J. Watt, anyway.

4. The roadkill game

Adam Gase, coach of the Dolphins, is a bright star with a great future. But Miami opens the season at the Seattle Seahawks. Good luck. Bring earplugs and a good backup quarterback.

5. The NFL will soon be international as hell

Six teams will play in the usually terrible UK international series. It’s Colts and Jaguars in Week 4 at Wembley Stadium, the Giants at Rams in Week 7 at Twickenham Stadium and Washington vs. the Bengals in Week 8 at Wembley.

On Nov. 21, the Texans and Raiders will also travel to Mexico City for a matchup at Azteca Stadium. 

This is only the beginning. It’s only a matter of time before teams play regularly in London, Germany, China and Mexico. The way the NFL is going, games will be played in Alaska. They can be scheduled to play right after the Iditarod.

6. Packers will open season as road warriors

Green Bay will play its first two games on the road—at the Jacksonville Jaguars and at the Minnesota Vikings. It's the first time, according to the NFL Network, the Packers have opened the season with two road matchups since 1924...1924. Not even Brett Favre is that old.

The good news for Green Bay is it will win both of those games.

7. The Browns are screwed

Ron Schwane/Associated Press

The Packers' opening schedule pales in comparison to Cleveland's. Five of the Browns' first seven games are on the road. That is nasty. That is brutal.

The interesting thing about the Browns is the franchise could be markedly better under Hue Jackson (and I think it will be), and because of that schedule it may not look like it.

Cleveland could have a terrible record but be on a glide path upward.

8. Cowboys still getting prime-time games

The draw and power of the Dallas franchise, despite struggling in recent years and going 4-12 last year, remains one of the most incredible things in all of sports. Dallas has five prime-time games in 2016.

No matter how much Dallas loses, they remain eternal and interesting.

And this coming season? I think the Cowboys win at least 10 games, including starting 4-0 by beating the Giants, Washington, the Bears and the 49ers.

9. Computer power

From Rich Eisen of the NFL Network: In composing the schedule, the NFL used up to 255 computers that generated 43,000 schedules before arriving at the final product. Incredible.

10. Special night in the Superdome

I covered the opening of the Superdome following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. It was one of the more emotional moments not just of my career but in the entirety of my life.

The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints played that game 10 years ago. Those same teams meet on Monday Night Football on Sept. 26 for the 10-year anniversary.