Everything the NFL does grabs attention, and Thursday’s schedule release for this year was no different with networks dedicating programming time to break it down. With that sentiment in mind, here are 10 must-watch games from the 2016 NFL schedule.
10. Week 11: Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders
Leon Halip-Getty ImagesThe NFL will stage a regular season game in Mexico City for the first time since 2005. A Monday night matchup of two teams with serious potential to be good adds to it nicely.
9. Week 6: Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
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The Cowboys will return to the scene of Dez Bryant's controversial playoff "no-catch" for a game that could have playoff seeding implications later on.
8. Week 4: Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Redskins
Getty ImagesNormally, a Browns-Redskins game would not carry much notoriety. But this game is early enough that Robert Griffin III could be Cleveland's starting quarterback, which would bring some non-political headlines to the nation's capital a month ahead of election day.
7. Week 2: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Getty ImagesThe first regular season game in the Vikings' new stadium is a Sunday night matchup against their chief rival. This game might be more meaningful in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but the nation will be watching.
6. Week 12: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Getty ImagesThis year's Thanksgiving night game will feature two AFC playoff contenders led by star signal-callers. Let's cross our fingers Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck are both healthy for this game.
5. Week 8: Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers
Getty ImagesAfter his NFC Championship Game disaster, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer makes a return trip to Charlotte to take on the Panthers.
4. Week 2: Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams
Getty ImagesThis will be the Rams' first home game back in Los Angeles, coupled with Pete Carroll's return to where he made his name as USC's head coach. Add in the Rams' success against the Seahawks over the last couple seasons, and this is an intriguing matchup.
3. Week 1: New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals
Getty ImagesThe season's first Sunday night game is a matchup of last year's conference runner-ups, who both look sure to be Super Bowl contenders again. If that's not enough to get your attention, you're probably not an NFL fan.
2. Week 1: Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos
Getty ImagesThe Thursday night season opener is a Super Bowl 50 rematch. Who will the Broncos' starting quarterback be?
1. Week 7: Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos
Getty ImagesBrock Osweiler's Monday Night Football return to Denver will be thick with intrigue. This game is late enough in the season that we'll start to see what direction the two teams are headed in, for better or worse.
