NFL 2015-16: Week 1 fixtures

The 2015 NFL regular season kicks off this week and with it, Australia may get their first glimpse of Jarryd Hayne in a true NFL game.

DeAngelo Williams of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs

The 2015 NFL regular season kicks off this week and with it, Australia may get

their first glimpse of Jarryd Hayne in a true NFL game.

Fixtures (all tmies AEST)

Minnesota Vikings v San Francisco 49ers, Tuesday 15 September, 12.pm,shown live on ESPN

Jarryd Hayne could make his NFL debut on Monday Night Football. But let’s be honest, this game isn’t all about Hayne plane.

Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson will be appearing in his first NFL game in nearly a year. The 2012 NFL MVP will be back this season and will hopefully continue doing what he does best: physically tormenting opposing defenses.

Pittsburgh Steelers v New England Patriots, Friday 12 September 10.30am, shown live on ESPN

The NFL regular season kick off game features the defending Superbowl champion Patriots taking on another AFC powerhouse in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers will be without offensive stars RB Le’Veon Bell (2 games), WR Martavius Bryant (4 games) and C Maurkice Pouncey (indefinitely) to start the season but if there’s a team in more turmoil than the Steelers, it may just be the Patriots.

Instead of spending the offseason celebrating his fourth Superbowl win, New England QB Tom Brady was fighting the NFL in courtrooms around America.

After being handed a four game suspension from the NFL, Brady had the case overturned and will look to put it all past him when he steps out on the field to begin the season.

Monday 14 September

Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears, 3.00am, shown live on 7mate

2014 MVP Aaron Rodgers leads the Packers to Chicago against their division foe, but it’ll be without WR Jordy Nelson who is injured for the entire season.

Indianapolis Colts v Buffalo Bills, 3.00am

Andrew Luck and the Colts heads to Buffalo to take on one of the NFL’s best defenses, led by new head coach Rex Ryan.

Kansas City Chiefs v Houston Texans, 3.00am

2014 defensive player of the year JJ Watt will look to guide the Texans to their first win of 2015 against the Chiefs.

Carolina Panthers v Jacksonville Jaguars, 3.00am

Two teams who are surrounded by question marks face off in this one. The Panthers lost star wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin for the season while Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles looks to improve in his second season in the NFL.

Cleveland Browns v New York Jets, 3.00am

Don’t expect too many points scored in this one. defence looks to be the key after the Jets compiled 46 sacks on last season while the Browns allowed just 21.1 points per game in 2014 Seattle Seahawks v St Louis Rams, 3.00am

The Seattle Seahawks will begin their bid for three straight Superbowl appearances with a game against the St Louis Rams and their strong defensive line.

Miami Dolphins v Washington Redskins, 3.00am
These teams are expected to go in different paths this season with the Dolphins a hot pick to make the playoffs in the AFC while the Redskins are expected to come last in their division.

New Orleans Saints v Arizona Cardinals, 6.05am

The Saints missed out on the playoffs by the skin of their teeth last season while the Cardinals made it and fell out in the first round. Two strong NFC teams facing off in what should be an exciting game.

Detroit Lions v San Diego Chargers, 6.05am

The Chargers and Lions are both seen as borderline playoff teams this year. It’ll be important for these teams to being the year with a win.

Baltimore Ravens v Denver Broncos, 6.25am, shown live on 7mate

Peyton Manning will begin what may be his final NFL season against the Ravens. Both team are among the best in the AFC and this win could affect seeding in the playoffs later in the year.

Cincinnati Bengals v Oakland Raiders, 6.25am – The Bengals are hoping to do something that they haven’t done since 1991: win a playoff game. Five of their last six seasons have ended in one and done playoff appearances.

Tennessee Titans v Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6.25am

The two worst teams in 2014 face off in this one. So why watch? Well the top two picks in the 2015 draft are making their debuts with Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota hoping to lead their respective teams to a win.

New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys, 10.30am, 7mate or ESPN

Two NFC East division rivals begin their season on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys won the division last season but the Giants will be on their tails this year led by what could be an explosive offense.

Tuesday 15 September

Philadelphia Eagles v Atlanta Falcons, 9.10am, ESPN

The Eagles were among the most talked about teams during the offseason. Coach Chip Kelly played chess by trading away a number of key players on the roster and replacing them with guys he preferred. Now it’s time to see if those changes were smart moves.

Originally published as NFL 2015-16: Week 1 fixtures