We already knew the teams the Denver Broncos  would face in the 2016 season, we just didn't know the when and the where. Now we do.
As is the new NFL tradition, the defending Super Bowl champion will kick off the season on the Thursday night prior to the opening weekend.  Fans have come to expect a marquee match up, and they won't be disappointed this season as the Broncos open up at home against the Carolina Panthers in a Super Bowl rematch.

Another game of note will be a Monday night match up against the Houston Texans on October 24 when the Broncos face their former back up quarterback Brock Osweiler.

The Broncos get New England at home again this year on December 18 in what could be a very cold weather affair. Then they will wrap up the season with what likely will be two critical division games, a Christmas night game at Kansas City, and the season finale on New Year's Day at home against Oakland.

Of course, Denver will have home and away meetings with their AFC West rivals, each of which is hoping to stop the Broncos consecutive division titles streak at 5. Oakland looks like they could be much improved, and Kansas City looks like a team ready to ascend to the throne.

Repeating as division champions, let alone defending their Super Bowl title will be most difficult for the Broncos, with their schedule dotted with playoff teams, some of which should be considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

DENVER BRONCOS 2016 SCHEDULE

PRE-SEASON

THURSDAY, AUGUST  11,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,6:00PM...........@ Chicago
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20.................7:00PM..............SAN FRANCISCO
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27.................7:00PM...............L.A. RAMS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1...........6:30PM............@ Arizona

REGULAR SEASON

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8..............6:30..................CAROLINA
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18.................2:25PM..............INDIANAPOLIS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25...............11:00AM.............@ Cincinnati
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2.......................2:05PM..............@ Tampa Bay
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9.......................2:05PM..............ATLANTA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13................6:25PM..............@ San Diego
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24....................6:30PM...............HOUSTON
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30.....................2:05PM...............SAN DIEGO
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6....................6:30PM...............@ Oakland
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13.................11:00AM..............@ New Orleans
BYE:
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27..................2:25PM................KANSAS CITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4...................11:00AM................@ Jacksonville
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11.................11:00AM................@ Tennessee
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18...................2:25PM.................NEW ENGLAND
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25...................6:30PM.................@ Kansas City
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1.........................2:25PM..................OAKLAND

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