NFL releases 2015 schedule: Patriots-Steelers open season

The NFL released its 2015 regular-season schedule on Tuesday night.

To begin the 2015 campaign, the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a matchup showcasing two of the league's best quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger. 

Related: Instant analysis of the 2015 schedule for all 32 teams

The game is primed to be an offensive showcase even with Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell missing the game due to suspension, and will feature the NFL's best receiver and tight end in 2014 in Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown and New England's Rob Gronkowski, respectively. 

Related: NFL Week 1 Opening Line Report: Patriots big favorites in Thursday nighter

In Week 1's Monday Night doubleheader, the Philadelphia Eagles will play against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome in Dan Quinn's first game as head coach. The San Francisco 49ers will host the Minnesota Vikings in the later game.

Thanksgiving Day will feature three marquee games, with the Philadelphia Eagles squaring off against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The second game will feature the Dallas Cowboys against the Carolina Panthers, where Cowboys star defensive end Greg Hardy will play his former Panthers teammates for the first time. 

The final Thanksgiving game will be another rendition of the NFL's oldest rivalry with the Green Bay Packers hosting the Chicago Bears. Green Bay will reportedly retire Brett Favre's number at the game. 

Three days after Thanksgiving, the Denver Broncos will host the Patriots in what could be the last game between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.