Best NFL Opening Night Matchups Since 2016

This game, like next week’s opening contest, was a Super Bowl rematch right out of the gate. The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in February of 2016. The schedule makers decided that these two teams would open the following season, and it didn’t disappoint. Cam Newton and company looked to avenge their loss against a Peyton Manning-less Broncos team. 

That offseason, Manning retired, so Denver was starting a seventh-round pick in Trevor Siemian. The rest of the team, though, was intact, as that Broncos defense was still to be feared. The game began a bit shaky for the defending champs. 

The young Siemian threw a couple of early interceptions. The Panthers capitalized on the mistakes and struck first. The lead eventually ballooned to 17-7 at the end of the third quarter. The Broncos then did what they did best: close the game. 

In 2015, Denver won 11 of 14 one-score games en route to a Super Bowl. That momentum carried to game one of 2016. The Broncos scored on the opening play of the fourth quarter to cut it to 17-14. 

Denver eventually took the lead 21-17. Carolina cut it to 21-20 and had the ball at the Broncos 33 yard line. Kicker Graham Gano had a chance to win the game with a 50-yard kick. The kick was wide left, and the champs survived. 

What a way to showcase NFL opening night. 

2023: Detroit Lions Beat Kansas City Chiefs 21-20

The NFL opening night list seems to have a theme in this list. Both contests ended with a score of 21-20. The circumstances surrounding the 2023 opener were a bit different, though.

This was not a Super Bowl rematch. The defending champs here were the Kansas City Chiefs, as they won their second Super Bowl in four years. The Detroit Lions were the visiting team.  

The Lions were just beginning to get their feet under them. In 2022, the team started 1-6 but then finished the year strong at 9-8. Fans were optimistic for the 2023 season and had faith that Dan Campbell would keep them in the right direction.

What better way to announce an arrival than to knock off Patrick Mahomes and company to start the season? Detroit seized the opportunity and did just that. Campbell set the tone with a massive play call early in the game.

The Lions faced a fourth and two on their own 17-yard line. 31 other teams punt here, but not Campbell and company. Detroit converted the fourth down on a fake punt and ended the drive with a touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon Ra St. Brown. 

From that point on, it was game on. Kansas City went up 14-7 and seized momentum. The Lions said not so fast and tied it at 14 after a Brian Branch pick-six. The champs went up 20-14 midway through the fourth. David Montgomery then scored for Detroit, putting them up 21-20. 

A one-point lead with half a quarter left, though, especially against Mahomes, is far from a sure thing. To the Lions’ credit, they had some clutch defensive possessions. 

Kansas City’s drive to answer Detroit only ended up being three plays and six yards, and they had to punt. The champs had one last chance with two minutes to go, but penalties and drops squashed any chance of a last-second comeback. 

It was a statement win for a Lions franchise that had no playoff appearances since 2016. This win catapulted them to finish 12-5 and capture the NFC North crown. 

End Of My Best NFL Opening Night Since 2016 Rant

There were plenty of other good NFL opening nights as well. The Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles opener from a year ago was entertaining to watch. The 2021 season began with a bang with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beating the Cowboys 31-29. 

A lot of times, an opener can set the tone for the rest of the season for a team. The Panthers lost that brutal game against Denver and finished 6-10. The Lions, as mentioned, took that win and ran to 12 wins. 

That begs the question for this year. Is Week One a must-win game for the New England Patriots?