A look at who will play who in 2016
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The opponents for all 2016 regular-season games have been determined and a complete list of each team’s home and away matchups was issued today by the NFL.
The scheduling formula implemented in 2002 with realignment guarantees that all teams play each other on a regular, rotating basis.
Under the formula, every team plays 16 games as follows:
· Home and away against its three division opponents (6 games).
· The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games).
· The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (4 games).
· Two intraconference games based on the prior year’s standings (2 games). These games match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-conference divisions the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place, and fourth-place teams in a conference are matched in the same way each year.
Beginning in 2010, a change was made to how teams are paired in the schedule rotation to ensure that teams playing the AFC and NFC West divisions would not be required to make two west coast trips (e.g. at San Francisco and at Seattle), while other teams in their division had none (e.g. at St. Louis and at Arizona).
The official 2016 schedule, with playing dates and times, will be announced in the spring.
NFL Kickoff 2016 Weekend will begin on Thursday night, September 8, and the regular season will conclude on Sunday, January 1.
Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas will be played on Sunday, February 5, 2017.
2016 SCHEDULING ROTATION BY DIVISION
AFC
Intraconference
AFC NORTH
EAST
Interconference
NFC WEST
AFC
Intraconference
AFC EAST
NORTH
Interconference
NFC EAST
AFC
Intraconference
AFC WEST
SOUTH
Interconference
NFC NORTH
AFC
Intraconference
AFC SOUTH
WEST
Interconference
NFC SOUTH
NFC
Intraconference
NFC NORTH
EAST
Interconference
AFC NORTH
NFC
Intraconference
NFC EAST
NORTH
Interconference
AFC SOUTH
NFC
Intraconference
NFC WEST
SOUTH
Interconference
AFC WEST
NFC
Intraconference
NFC SOUTH
WEST
Interconference
AFC EAST
2016 OPPONENTS
AFC EAST
1. New England Patriots Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
2. New York Jets Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
3. Buffalo Bills Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
4. Miami Dolphins Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks
2016 OPPONENTS
AFC NORTH
1. Cincinnati Bengals Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
2. Pittsburgh Steelers Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
3. Baltimore Ravens Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
4. Cleveland Browns Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
2016 OPPONENTS
AFC SOUTH
1. Houston Texans Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
2. Indianapolis Colts Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
3. Jacksonville Jaguars Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
4. Tennessee Titans Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
2016 OPPONENTS
AFC WEST
1. Denver Broncos Home: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Kansas City Chiefs Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
3. Oakland Raiders Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. San Diego Chargers Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
2016 OPPONENTS
NFC EAST
1. Washington Redskins Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Philadelphia Eagles Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
3. New York Giants Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Dallas Cowboys Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 OPPONENTS
NFC NORTH
1. Minnesota Vikings Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
2. Green Bay Packers Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
3. Detroit Lions Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
4. Chicago Bears Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
2016 OPPONENTS
NFC SOUTH
1. Carolina Panthers Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
2. Atlanta Falcons Home: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
3. New Orleans Saints Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers
2016 OPPONENTS
NFC WEST
1. Arizona Cardinals Home: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Away: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
2. Seattle Seahawks Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Jets
3. St. Louis Rams Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets
4. San Francisco 49ers Home: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Away: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
