7 must-watch games on the 2016 NFL schedule

The 2016 NFL regular-season schedule was released Thursday evening, with all 16 games for every team available. Here's a taste of some of the best action to come next season.

Panthers at Broncos
Week 1 - Thursday, Sept. 8

For the first time since the NFL introduced the kickoff game in 2002, the first game of the season will be a Super Bowl rematch from the previous season. The Denver Broncos have gone through a large roster turnover, losing Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, Malik Jackson, Evan Mathis, and Danny Trevathan among others. At the moment, Mark Sanchez is slated to be the starting quarterback for the Broncos, but Denver proved last year they can win without much production from that position.

Von Miller and Cam Newton have been in an ongoing offseason feud sparked by an appearance by Miller on Saturday Night Live mocking Newton's Super Bowl 50 performance. Just like the Super Bowl, these two stars will be in the spotlight come kickoff. The Carolina Panthers were the team of the year through the 2015 regular season and, as Newton put it in an Instagram post, they'll be "looking for revenge."

Bengals at Steelers
Week 2 - Sunday, Sept. 18

These two AFC North rivals had a heated playoff battle topped off by a controversial hit from Vontaze Burfict on Antonio Brown that the Pittsburgh Steelers have not forgotten. Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams said he believes Burfict stole a shot for his team to get to Super Bowl 50 with his headshot. The Cincinnati Bengals will still be without Burfict due to suspension, but Adam Jones and the rest of the defense will be eager to get revenge on the black and yellow.

Neither of these teams need any extra reason to get up for this rivalry, but they'll have a few nevertheless come Week 2.

Packers at Vikings
Week 2 - Sunday, Sept. 18

The Minnesota Vikings topped the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North title for the the first time since 2009, after the Packers took four straight division crowns. The Vikings have an increasingly talented team, and will be moving indoors in 2016.

The Week 2 matchup will be the first game played at the brand new state-of-the-art facility, U.S. Bank Stadium. Teddy Bridgewater will look to increase his passing numbers after spending last season out in the cold, and Aaron Rodgers will get his favorite target, Jordy Nelson, back on the field.

Seahawks at Rams
Week 2 - Sunday, Sept. 18

The NFL will return to Los Angeles on Sept. 18th.

The Los Angeles Rams will debut their new franchise quarterback in all likelihood, after making a blockbuster trade up to the No. 1 spot on Thursday. The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the most dominant teams over the past three seasons, but have had a hard time getting past the pesky Rams on the road.

Texans at Broncos
Week 7 - Monday, Oct. 24

The Broncos made it pretty clear to quarterback Brock Osweiler that they weren't totally sold on the four-year veteran when they let Peyton Manning wait long into the offseason to make his retirement decision. Osweiler has taken a lot of heat for his big-money contract, even some from his former teammate Aqib Talib, who says he gave the quarterback "fair warning" about taking the cash.

With the current quarterback situation in Denver being the mess that it is, the fans at Mile High will be sure to let Osweiler know what they think of his decision to head to Houston.

Seahawks at Patriots
Week 10 - Sunday, Nov. 13

Super Bowl XLIX was arguably the most entertaining Super Bowl ever, with the most talked-about finish of all time. Russell Wilson will have a chance to prove himself against the New England Patriots for the first time since throwing a game-losing interception to Malcolm Butler.

The Patriots have added weapons in tight end Martellus Bennett and receiver Chris Hogan, as well as some defensive parts. They'll be ready to go in Foxboro come November.

Texans vs Raiders in Mexico City
Week 11 - Monday, Nov. 21

The NFL loves their international games. Everyone is used to games in London by now, so the Oakland Raiders and the Houston Texans are heading to Mexico.

These two rising franchises will meet at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for a Monday nighter featuring two of the best backfield mayhem-makers in J.J. Watt and Khalil Mack. The two offences include top young playmakers in DeAndre Hopkins and Amari Cooper, with both teams expected to add more weapons at the draft.