The start of the NFL season is still five months away but if it isn’t too early for Roger Goodell to put out the 2016-2017 NFL schedule than it isn’t too early to talk about it. There are some intriguing first-week match-ups to include the rematch of the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers to kick off the season in prime time Thursday, Sept. 8. The first Golden State matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the L.A. Rams opening weekend is also sure to draw a crowd. So let’s break down some key matchups on the horizon for the 2016-2017 NFL season.
Denver Broncos v. Carolina Panthers: Thurs 9/8, 8:30 pm est
I won’t state the obvious like the Panthers are looking for revenge, Peyton Manning has ridden off into the sunset after
winning Super Bowl 50, Cam Newton has yet to mature since the post-game presser, yadda, yadda, yadda. What may not be as obvious is that this looks to be a matchup that mimics Super Bowl 50: low scoring, dominated by Denver’s defense and ending in Carolina sideline whimper. While the starting quarterback job for the Broncos is still in question, it doesn’t matter. Denver finished the regular 2015-2016 season with a record of 12-4 largely due to a dominant defense led by Von Miller, Aquib Talib and Demarcus Ware. With these superstars returning, the Broncos’ defense will carry their offense throughout the 2016-2017 season as well. Sorry Cam fans. They’ll be some sore losers after this game too.
New England Patriots @ Arizona Cardinals: Sun 9/11, 8:30 pm est
Both New England and Arizona finished the 2015 regular season strong with 12-4 and 13-3 records, respectively. This week one matchup has all the makings of must-see TV. As far as Quarterback comparisons go, Tom Brady and Carson Palmer were pretty even in TD/Interception stats. Brady finishing with 36 TDs and 7 interceptions and Palmer with 35 and 11. The main difference going into 2016 is that Brady has been working all offseason at new cheating strategies and Palmer has been dreaming up ways to maintain his 2015 stats although the wounds from the trouncing received by the Panthers in the NFC Championship game are still healing. This matchup of conference losers is sure to be interesting.
Dallas Cowboys v. New York Giants: Sun 9/11, 4:25 pm est
The Dallas Cowboys are coming off one of the worst records in years having finished the 2015 regular season at 4-12. The New York Giants didn’t fare much better in 2015 with their 6-10 record lingering on the brain of quarterback Eli Manning. Let’s not forget the pathetic ending to both the Cowboys and Giants seasons. The Cowboys lost 4 straight down the stretch and the Giants lost 3 straight. The Giants will come out on top of this week one match up only because it’s a home game. Luckily for the Cowboys, they have the Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears in weeks two and three, respectively, which means they’ll have another shot at win soon after.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers: Thurs 9/29, 8:30 pm est
Both the Chiefs and the Steelers lost in the divisional playoffs in 2015 and are looking to start fresh in 2016. The Steelers will be without star wide receiver, Martavis Bryant, for the 2016 season but coach Mike Tomlin never seems phased by bumps in the road. As long as Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown are on the field, the Steelers will score points. Throw in Le’Veon Bell and it’s a consistent trio of offensive talent. No disrespect to the Chiefs who were an amazing story in 2015 winning ten straight to end the regular season but this game will be the Steelers to lose.
Washington Redskins @ Baltimore Ravens: Sun 10/9, 1:00 pm est
The battle of the beltway will take place in week five with the Washington Redskins visiting Baltimore. The Ravens are starting the 2016 season home against the Buffalo Bills then head to Cleveland in week two to face the dismal Browns, and in week three travel to sunny Florida to relax under some palm trees oh, and to play the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Ravens could be entering the Redskins game either undefeated at 4-0 or at worst 3-1. The Redskins are heavily relying on Kirk Cousins to come up big this season but even avid Skins fans aren’t holding their breath. While there is sure to be plenty of Redskins fans at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, they will be traveling home on the beltway with their heads hung low.
Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos: Mon 10/24, 8:30 pm est
The NFL sure knows how to pull ratings. Putting new Texans quarterback, Brock Osweiler, against his old, Super Bowl winning team on prime time Monday night is quite strategic. No one will tune into this game to see the Texans but even non-Broncos fans will be intrigued. Clearly miffed after Denver Coach, Gary Kubiak (former Head Coach of the Texans, by the way) decided to stick with Manning down the home stretch of the 2015 season, Osweiler found it easy to accept a 4 year, $71 million deal with the Texans.
Some say Osweiler feels wanted by the Texans but the reality is at the ripe old age of 25, Osweiler blew what could have been a long career with the Broncos. Tune into must-see TV on October 24.
Jules Rules: Now that the 2016-2017 NFL schedule is out, we can finally start planning our fall and winter activities around our favorite teams. Perhaps a sick day on Friday, September 9, is in the future of all Broncos and Panthers fans.
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