Football

New NFL year begins with same matchup that ended last season

By Antonio Nickerson

Special to the Star-Telegram
Broncos linebacker Von Miller stripped the football from Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, then recovered it in a key play from Super Bowl 50 in February. The two teams meet again Thursday night to open the new season.
Broncos linebacker Von Miller stripped the football from Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, then recovered it in a key play from Super Bowl 50 in February. The two teams meet again Thursday night to open the new season. David J. Phillip AP

Carolina (15-1 in 2015) at Denver (12-4)

7:30 p.m. Thursday, KXAS/5 Line: Panthers by 3

The Broncos begin their title defense at home as they square off against the team that they defeated 24-10 in the Super Bowl just seven months ago. Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian, a second-year player who has never thrown a regular-season pass, has been given the task of supplanting the league’s all-time leading passer, Peyton Manning. On the opposite sideline, the Panthers and reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton look to rinse out the bad taste of a Super Bowl loss by opening with a road win against the team that they fell to in February.

This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 8:09 PM with the headline "New NFL year begins with same matchup that ended last season."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER