The NFL season will begin the way the last one ended, with the Denver Broncos playing the Carolina Panthers.
Denver beat Carolina, 24-10, in February in the Super Bowl, Peyton Manning’s final game. The rematch will be on Thursday night, Sept. 8 in Denver.
Among the highlights for opening weekend is the Rams’ return to representing Los Angeles as they visit San Francisco in the nightcap of a Monday night doubleheader. Pittsburgh is at Washington in the first game.
Four games will be played abroad. Jacksonville will host Indianapolis in London on Oct. 2, at Wembley Stadium. On Oct. 23, the first NFL game at Twickenham Stadium will have the Rams hosting the Giants. And the following Sunday, Cincinnati will host Washington at Wembley.
The NFL returns to Mexico City for the first time in 11 years when Oakland hosts Houston on Nov. 21.
The Patriots will open Sept. 11 at Arizona, with other highlights being an Oct. 16 home game against Cincinnati, Oct. 23 game at Pittsburgh, Nov. 13 game vs. Seattle and Dec. 4 contest hosting the new Los Angeles Rams.