2017 NFL Schedule: Release Date, Team-by-Team Opponents and More
April 18, 2017
The National Football League is prepared to announce its schedule for the 2017 regular season Thursday at 8 p.m. on NFL Network.
NFL.com confirmed the release details Tuesday. The league will reveal the dates, times and television information for all 17 weeks of action during a two-hour special.
As is customary, the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots are expected to host the season-opening game Sept. 7 for Thursday Night Football. Other info about the 2017 schedule won't be known until the slate is public.
A list of opponents each team will face during the upcoming campaign is already available, however. Let's check out a table with all of those matchups before diving into some of the most intriguing storylines ahead of the 2017 schedule announcement.
Team-by-Team Opponents
2017 NFL Regular Season: Complete List of Games | ||
AFC East | Home | Road |
Buffalo Bills | Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts | Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals |
Miami Dolphins | Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints (London), Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans | Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens |
New England Patriots | Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans | Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers |
New York Jets | Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars | Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns |
AFC North | Home | Road |
Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins | Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars (London), Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders |
Cincinnati Bengals | Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills | Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos |
Cleveland Browns | Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings (London), New York Jets | Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers |
Pittsburgh Steelers | Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots | Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs |
AFC South | Home | Road |
Houston Texans | Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs | Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots |
Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos | Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills |
Jacksonville Jaguars | Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens (London), Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Chargers | Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets |
Tennessee Titans | Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders | Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins |
AFC West | Home | Road |
Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals | Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts |
Kansas City Chiefs | Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Pittsburgh Steelers | Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Houston Texans |
Los Angeles Chargers | Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns | Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars |
Oakland Raiders | Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens | Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans |
NFC East | Home | Road |
Dallas Cowboys | New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers | New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons |
New York Giants | Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions | Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Philadelphia Eagles | Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears | Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers |
Washington Redskins | Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings | Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints |
NFC North | Home | Road |
Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers | Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles |
Detroit Lions | Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals | Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants |
Green Bay Packers | Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks | Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys |
Minnesota Vikings | Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams | Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns (London), Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins |
NFC South | Home | Road |
Atlanta Falcons | Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys | Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks |
Carolina Panthers | Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles | Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers |
New Orleans Saints | Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Washington Redskins | Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins (London), Los Angeles Rams |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, New York Giants | Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals |
NFC West | Home | Road |
Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Los Angeles Rams (London), San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions |
Los Angeles Rams | Arizona Cardinals (London), San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints | Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings |
San Francisco 49ers | Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers | Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears |
Seattle Seahawks | Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons | Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers |
NFL.com |
Key Matchups and Storylines
Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots
It wouldn't be a surprise to see a Super Bowl LI rematch to open the new season. That's what the NFL opted to do in 2016, when the Denver Broncos welcomed the Carolina Panthers to Colorado and repeated their Super Bowl 50 victory with another win in Week 1.
Getting another chance at New England would probably be a welcome opportunity for the Falcons. They are going to enter the new campaign with a sour taste in their mouths after blowing a 28-3 lead in the big game, and that would give them a chance to wash it right away.
Both teams figure to find themselves right back in the championship mix. That said, the number of changes New England has made after winning the title is interesting, and it shows the importance of not remaining content in a league where things change so fast.
Perhaps the roster moves probably shouldn't come as a surprise. After all, one day after winning the Lombardi Trophy, head coach Bill Belichick sounded disappointed other teams had an extra month to prepare for the offseason, per Jim McBride of the Boston Globe.
"The NFL season, the calendar is what it is," Belichick said. "As of today, and as great as today feels and as great as today is, in all honesty, we're five weeks behind in the 2017 season."
His lack of scouting time didn't prevent the team from making a splash. The Pats quickly added cornerback Stephon Gilmore and defensive lineman Lawrence Guy through free agency while trading for tight end Dwayne Allen, defensive lineman Kony Ealy and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
It's no surprise OddsShark notes they are the clear favorite heading into the new season. The Falcons are among the second wave of contenders, meaning their matchup will be labeled as a "potential Super Bowl preview" whenever they face off.
Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott formed one of the most exciting rookie duos in recent memory to carry the Cowboys back to prominence last season. They posted the best record in the NFC at 13-3 while ranking fifth in the NFL in total offense.
Dallas' playoff run came to an abrupt end in the divisional round when the Packers went into AT&T Stadium and emerged with a 34-31 victory, though. Just like the Falcons against the Patriots, the Cowboys would surely love to exact some measure of revenge.
The question is whether these teams will be among the best in the NFC again. Ross Tucker of SiriusXM NFL Radio isn't so sure based on their offseason transactions:
That said, the Packers have never been major proponents of spending huge money in free agency in order to fill short-term voids. And they are still one of the model franchises in all of sports, so winning the offseason doesn't directly relate to championships.
The Cowboys and Packers still have a lot of talent, so they could remain firmly in the NFC mix in 2017. In fact, their head-to-head meeting could end up having a key impact when it comes to seeding for the postseason, especially if it comes late.
Los Angeles Chargers' Home Opener
The Chargers made the journey from San Diego to Los Angeles to join the Rams for 2017. So the nation's second-largest media market went from having no NFL teams to welcoming a new one in successive offseasons, making for a pair of grand arrivals.
While the decisions are understandable on paper, the biggest question moving forward will be whether there's enough fan support to keep both teams in good shape for the long haul. If so, it could be a financial boon for the NFL, but it's far from a guarantee.
Fox Sports San Diego showcased some disgruntled fans with no interest in supporting the team in its new home:
The Chargers will play in Carson at the StubHub Center—the home of MLS' LA Galaxy—until their new stadium is ready in a couple of years. It will create a different atmosphere since the seating capacity is only 30,000, whereas most NFL stadiums can hold at least 60,000.
Although the home opener is going to generate a lot of attention and rightfully so, it won't be the most important thing in the grand scheme of the move. How the crowds look late in the year, especially if the Chargers aren't in the playoff race, will be the first key indicator.