<page_title> 2016 NFL season </page_title> <section_title> Most watched regular season games </section_title> <table> <cell> September 8, 8:30 ET <col_header> Date </col_header> </cell> <cell> Carolina Panthers <col_header> Matchup </col_header> </cell> <cell> 20 <col_header> Matchup </col_header> </cell> <cell> Denver Broncos <col_header> Matchup </col_header> </cell> <cell> 21 <col_header> Matchup </col_header> </cell> <cell> Kickoff Game <col_header> Window </col_header> </cell> <cell> Super Bowl 50 Rematch <col_header> Significance </col_header> </cell> </table>
The season began on September 8, 2016, with the defending Super Bowl 50 champion Denver Broncos defeating the Carolina Panthers 21–20 in the NFL Kickoff Game.