The Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans clash in Week 1 of the new NFL 2016 season on Sunday, and both teams will know how important it is to get the season off on the right foot. Today's game takes place from LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee, and has a scheduled start time of 1 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on TV on the Fox network, or online through live stream via the link below.
The Titans enter the new season touting what many are saying is a much-improved team. They will be hoping that second year quarterback Marcus Mariota can step it up another gear this season and continue his progression.
Meanwhile, Vikings fans will be wondering whether newly acquired quarterback, Sam Bradford, will take to the field today. However, if he does then Bradford will be hoping his offensive line can grant him much better protection than they have given the quarterback through the preseason. If that offensive line is not greatly improved then it could be a long afternoon for Minnesota.
Earlier this week, on NFL Thursday Night Football, the season opener took place between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. The re-match of last season's Super Bowl was a hard-fought affair, but ultimately the result came out the same as Super Bowl 50, with the Broncos taking the win.
However, Thursday's game was a much closer match up than last season's showcase game, and by the end Denver only won the game by a single point in a 21-20 victory.
Early-on in the game especially, fans could feel the intensity that Carolina entered the re-match with, and if there was any doubt that the Panthers were out for revenge, that was confirmed right away as the Carolina defense began super aggressively, successfully disrupting Trevor Siemian. By half time the Broncos quarterback had only completed 8 of 12 passes for 92 yards, throwing one interception in the process.
The impressive Panthers went in at half time with a healthy 17-7 lead, however, things it proved to be a game of two halves, and the Broncos emerged vastly improved for the second half. In particular, the Broncos' defense showed signs of the form that took them all the way to Super Bowl glory last season.
Although Cam Newton had a strong first half, he was hit hard in the third quarter by DeMarcus Ware as he suffered his first sack of the season. Newton went down injured, and although he returned to the action, he looked a different player after that incident.
The Broncos went on to sack Newton three times in the second half as the Panthers' offense was put under intense and repeated pressure. The Carolina offense was so effectively shut down that they only managed to score three points through the entire second half.
Denver turned the screw in the fourth quarter and went into the final minutes with a 21-20 lead. The Panthers managed one final dramatic sustained drive, but a 50-yard field goal attempt went wide at the death to hand the Broncos an opening day win, and leave the Panthers to ponder what more they must do to defeat Denver.
Fans were left breathless by the final whistle, and many commented that this was the dramatic game they wish they had in last season's Super Bowl.
Week 1 continues Sunday with the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans facing off from 1 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on TV on the Fox network or online through live stream by clicking here.
