NFL Schedule 2016 Week 1: ‘Super Bowl’ Rematch—Panthers vs. Broncos Predictions & Pick

The 2016 football season is finally upon us, and the NFL schedule for week 1 is providing plenty of action including a Super Bowl rematch between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. This is the first week 1 Super Bowl rematch since 1970 when the Vikings faced the Chiefs. It’s apropos that the 2016 season will start the way the 2015 season ended. The NFL season 2016 kickoff game airs Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. EST, on NBC. Carolina travels to Denver in this highly anticipated season opener. Football Locks reports that the line for the NFL opener has the Panthers favored by -3.

About The Carolina Panthers

It was almost seven months ago to the date that the Broncos defeated Carolina 24-10 at Super Bowl 50. This time around should be different, however. Last season Panthers’ superstar quarterback and league MVP, Cam Newton threw for 3,800 yards with 35 touchdowns and he had a limited offensive arsenal aside from Ted Ginn Jr. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is returning this season from an injury which will make Newton and Ginn even more dangerous. During Kelvin’s rookie year in 2014, he had over 1,000 yards in receptions. Last year Carolina had the number one offense and this year may be a repeat of that luxurious stat.

Former Carolina cornerback Josh Norman was picked up by the Washington Redskins this season, but the Panthers still have a solid defensive unit. Defensive tackle Vernon Butler, from Louisiana Tech, was picked up in the first round by the Panthers in the 2016 NFL draft. Three additional cornerbacks were picked up by the Panthers as well.

About the Denver Broncos

The defending Super Bowl champions look a bit different this NFL season. Last year the Broncos were led by the greatest regular season quarterback in NFL history, Peyton Manning. Since then, Manning has retired, and the new Broncos’ quarterback Trevor Siemian has some monumental shoes to fill. This is his second year in the NFL and his first time as a starter.

The Broncos will be focused on rushing, with running backs like C.J. Anderson, rather than passing. The good news for the Broncos is that they won the majority of the NFL season last year thanks to their defense. The Broncos once again have a great defense led by stellar players like Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware. But still, the inexperienced quarterback could be somewhat of a hindrance.

Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers NFL Prediction

The last time these two teams met the Panthers were 4.5 point favorites, and it was an upset that the Broncos won the game—a lot can be said about heart. Peyton Manning knew it was his last game, and the legendary quarterback found something deep inside of him, paired with a great defense, to pull off the victory. The Broncos only had three touchdowns in that game, and the fact that the Panthers were held to only 10 points says a lot about the Broncos’ defense.

Even still, Cam Newton was very upset after that loss and NFL fans may recall him walking off during the postgame interview. You better believe that Cam Newton will bring everything to this game but the kitchen sink. This time around it’s not at the biggest NFL game of the year, the Panthers aren’t playing against the greatest NFL quarterback of all-time, and the Panthers are more heavy-handed.

Siemian can’t be trusted as of yet, and the Panthers no doubt have studied the Broncos and made the necessary adjustments to beat Denver. The 2016 NFL schedule has given fans a gift with this rematch, and the smart bet is giving up the 3 points and taking the Panthers over the Broncos.

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ESPN provides the rest of the Carolina Panthers NFL schedule for 2016.

Sports Illustrated provides the rest of the Denver Broncos NFL schedule for 2016.

[Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images]