The Seattle Seahawks will face off against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Week 1 of the NFL 2016 regular season. Both teams will be desperate to claim a win to open the season, but Seattle will be favorites to gain victory in front of their home fans. Today's game has a scheduled start time of 4.05 p.m. ET and takes place from CenturyLink Field in Seattle. The game can be watched on TV on the CBS network or online through live stream via the link below.
News ahead of this game is that the Seahawks players will stand together with interlocked arms for the pre-gam U.S. national anthem. The team's decision comes as the nation marks the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, as well as in reaction to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand for pre-game national anthems.
Kaepernick's decision has come as he protests against what he sees as injustice against African Americans across the country, following a series of highly publicized shootings of black males by police officers.
Although the Seahawks' players kneeled for one of last week's pre-game anthems, they have decided to unite behind the anthem in today's game to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
Seahawks' receiver Doug Baldwin has said, "We are a team comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds. As a team, we have chosen to stand and interlock arms in unity. We honor those who have fought for the freedom we cherish. And we stand to ensure the riches of freedom and the security of justice for all people. Progress can and will be made only if we stand together."
Earlier this week, on NFL Thursday Night Football, the season opener took place between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. The re-match of last season's Super Bowl was a hard-fought affair, but ultimately the result came out the same as Super Bowl 50, with the Broncos taking the win.
However, Thursday's game was a much closer match up than last season's showcase game, and by the end Denver only won the game by a single point in a 21-20 victory.
Early-on in the game especially, fans could feel the intensity that Carolina entered the re-match with, and if there was any doubt that the Panthers were out for revenge, that was confirmed right away as the Carolina defense began super aggressively, successfully disrupting Trevor Siemian. By half time the Broncos quarterback had only completed 8 of 12 passes for 92 yards, throwing one interception in the process.
The impressive Panthers went in at half time with a healthy 17-7 lead, however, things it proved to be a game of two halves, and the Broncos emerged vastly improved for the second half. In particular, the Broncos' defense showed signs of the form that took them all the way to Super Bowl glory last season.
Although Cam Newton had a strong first half, he was hit hard in the third quarter by DeMarcus Ware as he suffered his first sack of the season. Newton went down injured, and although he returned to the action, he looked a different player after that incident.
The Broncos went on to sack Newton three times in the second half as the Panthers' offense was put under intense and repeated pressure. The Carolina offense was so effectively shut down that they only managed to score three points through the entire second half.
Denver turned the screw in the fourth quarter and went into the final minutes with a 21-20 lead. The Panthers managed one final dramatic sustained drive, but a 50-yard field goal attempt went wide at the death to hand the Broncos an opening day win, and leave the Panthers to ponder what more they must do to defeat Denver.
Fans were left breathless by the final whistle, and many commented that this was the dramatic game they wish they had in last season's Super Bowl.
Week 1 continues Sunday with the Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins facing off from 4.05 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on TV on the CBS network or online through live stream by clicking here.
