2015 NFL season

The 2015 NFL season was the 96th season in the history of the National Football League (NFL), and the 50th of the Super Bowl era. To celebrate the 50th season of the Super Bowl, a gold-plated NFL logo and other various gold-themed promotions were used throughout the season. It began on Thursday, September 10, 2015, with the annual kickoff game featuring the defending Super Bowl XLIX champion New England Patriots defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, 28–21. The season concluded with Super Bowl 50, the league's championship game, on Sunday, February 7, 2016, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California,[2] with the Denver Broncos defeating the Carolina Panthers, 24–10.

2015 National Football League season
For the 2015 season, a gold-plated NFL logo was used across all league properties in anticipation of the 50th Super Bowl game.[1]
Regular season
DurationSeptember 10, 2015 – January 3, 2016
Playoffs
Start dateJanuary 9, 2016
AFC ChampionsDenver Broncos
NFC ChampionsCarolina Panthers
Super Bowl 50
DateFebruary 7, 2016
SiteLevi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
ChampionsDenver Broncos
Pro Bowl
DateJanuary 31, 2016
SiteAloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii

During the 2015 season, the Oakland Raiders, the St. Louis Rams, and the San Diego Chargers announced their intentions to relocate back to Los Angeles in the ensuing off-season (all three teams had previously resided in the city at various points in their history). NFL owners eventually only approved the relocation of the Rams, by a vote of 30–2 on January 12, 2016. Thus, 2015 ended up being the Rams' last season in St. Louis.

Player movement

The 2015 NFL League Year began on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. ET. On Saturday, March 7, clubs started to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who became unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2014 contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 10.[3] On Tuesday, March 10, 2015, clubs exercised options for 2015 on all players who have option clauses in their 2014 contracts, submitted qualifying offers to their restricted free agents with expiring contracts and to whom they desire to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation, submitted a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2014 contracts and who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit, "Top-51" began, all clubs must be under the 2015 salary cap, all 2014 player contracts expired at 4:00 p.m. ET and trading period for 2015 began. (4:00 p.m. ET).[4]

Free agency

A total of 453 players were eligible for some form of free agency at the beginning of the free agency period.[5] Among the players who changed teams via free agency included:

Four players were assigned the non-exclusive franchise tag by their teams, which ensured that the team would receive compensation were the player to sign a contract with another team. These players were wide receivers Dez Bryant (Cowboys)[31] and Demaryius Thomas (Broncos),[32] linebacker Justin Houston (Chiefs),[33] and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (Giants).[34] One other team used the transition tag, which offers the player's current team a chance to match offers from other franchises and also guarantees draft pick compensation (at a lesser level than the franchise tag) if a tagged player signs elsewhere. The player given the transition tag was Charles Clay (Dolphins). On March 19, 2015, Clay signed a five-year, $38M contract with the Buffalo Bills, after the Dolphins elected not to match the offer.[35]

Trades

An unusually large number of big name players switched teams via trade prior to the 2015 season.[36] Eagles coach Chip Kelly used his newly obtained GM powers to make many blockbuster trades. The Philadelphia Eagles traded 2-time All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso.[37] The Eagles also traded Pro Bowl quarterback Nick Foles along with their selection in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft to the St. Louis Rams for quarterback Sam Bradford; the deal also included a swap of draft picks in the 2015 NFL Draft as well as a possible additional 2016 draft pick from the Rams contingent on Bradford's playing time with the Eagles.[38] The New Orleans Saints traded All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham along with their fourth-round selection in the draft to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for All-Pro center Max Unger and the Seahawks' first-round selection in the draft.[39] The Saints also traded away Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs (to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fifth round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft) and wide receiver Kenny Stills (to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a third rounder in the 2015 draft). The Detroit Lions acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Haloti Ngata from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for draft picks to help make up for the loss of Ndamukong Suh in free agency.[40]

Draft

The 2015 NFL Draft was held April 30 – May 2, 2015, in Chicago.[41] The draft process began with the NFL Scouting Combine, where draft-eligible players were evaluated by team personnel, which was held in Indianapolis on February 17–23. On October 2, 2014, Auditorium Theatre in Chicago was announced as the official site of the draft.[42] The previous fifty NFL drafts (since 1965) had been held in New York.[43] The 2015 NFL Draft was the first to feature an outdoor component, where fans would be able to see the Commissioner on the Auditorium Theatre stage from across the street in Grant Park; this area was called Draft Town.[44] In the draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers made Florida State University quarterback Jameis Winston the first overall selection.[45]

New officials

Referee Bill Leavy retired after the 2014 season.[46] On May 13, 2015, the NFL promoted line judge John Hussey to the referee position.[47] In addition to Hussey's promotion to referee, the NFL hired 10 more officials, including the first full-time female official in NFL history, Sarah Thomas, who will work as a line judge,[note 1][48] as well as Walt Coleman IV, the son of referee Walt Coleman, who will work as a side judge.[49]

Rule changes

The following rule changes were passed for the 2015 NFL season at the owners' meeting on March 25, 2015:[50]

  • Allow a certified medical trainer to call a medical time-out when a player appears disoriented or concussed. This time-out is not to be charged to the team whose player is injured, even inside the two-minute warning. The only substitution allowed is for the injured player and for a single player from the opposing team to match up.
  • Making the practice of a receiver declared ineligible lining up in the slot formation illegal; ineligible receivers must line up inside the tackle box. This was in response to the New England Patriots using this tactic in the 2014–15 NFL playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens.
  • Extended the restriction for peel-back blocks to include all of the offensive team instead of just those inside of the tackle box.
  • Expanded the definition of a "defenseless receiver" to include intended receivers in the air during and after an interception.
  • Making offensive backs who chop a defender engaged above the waist by another offensive player subject to a chop-block penalty (15 yards).
  • Pushing teammates at the scrimmage line during punts or field goals is illegal.
  • Expanded instant replay to include whether time should be put back on the game clock at the end of any period.
  • Linebackers can now be numbered 40–49.
  • The 'process' rule on making a catch while going to the ground is adjusted. A receiver will be considered to have made a catch if they "clearly establish themselves as a runner" before going to the ground. Previously a receiver had to make a 'football move'.[51]

The following changes to the extra point rules were passed for the 2015 NFL season at the owners' meeting on May 19, 2015:[52]

  • The line of scrimmage for extra point tries will move to the 15-yard line from the two-yard line. Two-point conversions will still be spotted at the two-yard line.
  • Defenses will be allowed to return turnovers on two-point tries or blocked or missed PAT kicks to the opposing end zone for two points, mirroring the NCAA College football rule adopted in the 1988 season. Furthermore, a one-point safety can now also be scored if either team takes possession and fumbles out of their own end zone or is tackled in it after leaving it.[53]

The following changes to game ball protocol were passed for the 2015 NFL season on July 27, 2015:[54]

  • There will be increased testing, oversight and security surrounding the balls. At random games, officials will measure the PSI of 24 footballs at halftime. Two officials, instead of only the referee, will measure and record the inflation of footballs before the game. These changes were made in response to the "deflategate" scandal.

2015 deaths

The following people associated with the NFL (or AFL) died in 2015.[55][56]

Frank Gifford
Gifford in 2009

Frank Gifford died on August 9, just a week shy of his 85th birthday. Gifford had a 12-year playing career with the New York Giants in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a 4-time All-Pro, played in eight Pro Bowls and was named to the 1950s All-Decade Team. In 1956 Gifford was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player. After his playing career Gifford transitioned to sports broadcasting, most notably joining ABC's Monday Night Football in the program's second season and serving as the broadcast's play-by-play announcer and later color commentator for the next 27 seasons. Gifford was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the College Football Hall of Fame.[57][58]

Bednarik in 1952
Stabler in 2007
Sanders (far right) in 2007
Yepremian in 2013
St. Clair in 2009
Mara (right) in 1954
Chuck Bednarik

Chuck Bednarik died on March 31 at age 89. Bednarik was the first player selected in the 1949 NFL Draft and played linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles for fourteen seasons. He won championships with the Eagles in 1949 and 1960. He was a 5-time first team All-Pro and played in eight Pro Bowls. Bednarik was selected as a member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Two-Way Team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1967. He was also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.[59][60]

Ken Stabler

Ken Stabler died on July 8 at age 69. Stabler had a fifteen-year NFL career as a quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints in the 1970s and 1980s. He was named the league's MVP in 1974, led the Raiders to their first championship in Super Bowl XI and was a member of the 1970s All-Decade Team.[61][62]

Ed Sabol

Ed Sabol died on February 9 at age 98. Sabol founded NFL Films in 1962 where he pioneered a documentary style of capturing the game of football that many credit as a driver of the huge surge in the NFL's popularity. Sabol was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.[63]

Charlie Sanders

Charlie Sanders died on July 2 at age 68. Sanders played tight end for the Detroit Lions for ten seasons. He was twice named first-team All-Pro, was selected for seven Pro Bowl teams and was a member of the 1970s All-Decade Team. After his playing career he continued to be involved with the Lions, first as a broadcaster and later as a coach and scout. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.[64][65]

Garo Yepremian

Garo Yepremian died on May 15 at age 70. Yepremian had a fourteen-year career as a placekicker for four NFL teams, most notably with the Miami Dolphins of the 1970s. He was twice named a first-team All-Pro and was a member of two Pro Bowl teams as well as a 2-time Super Bowl champion. He led the league in field goal accuracy three times and was named to the 1970s All-Decade Team.[66][67]

Bob St. Clair

Bob St. Clair died on April 20 at age 84. St. Clair had an eleven-year career as an offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1950s and 1960s. He played in the Pro Bowl five times and was named to the 1950s All-Decade Team. St. Clair was the mayor of Daly City, California from 1958 through 1964. St. Clair was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.[68][69][70]

Other 2015 deaths

Bill Arnsparger, Pete Athas, George Atkins, Billy Baggett, Monk Bailey, Tom Bettis, M. L. Brackett, C. O. Brocato, Curtis Brown, Doug Buffone, Bryan Caldwell, Henry Carr, Sam Cathcart, Damion Cook, John David Crow, Doug Cunningham, Willie Daniel, Jack Davis, JaJuan Dawson, Clyde Duncan, Bill Enyart, Mel Farr, Jesse Freitas, Jr., Ed Fullerton, Mike Gaechter, Jim Gaffney, Gary Glick, Ray Graves, Jimmy Gunn, Rip Hawkins, Dick Hensley, Gary Henson, Ray Hill, Gordy Holz, Marv Hubbard, Tommy Hudspeth, Kevin Hunt, Lindy Infante, Bill Jessup, Sonny Karnofsky, Bill Keating, Vince Kendrick, Mike Kostiuk, Jim LaRue, Eddie LeBaron, Dan Lewis, Jack Linn, Tom Longo, Don Looney, Ann Mara, Tommy Mason, Jim McCusker, Ralph McGill, Steve Meilinger, John Mellekas, Terdell Middleton, Ed Modzelewski, Jim Mutscheller, Ray Nagel, Joe O'Malley, John Papit, Pat Peppler, Jim Phillips, John Polonchek, Art Powell, Bob Priestley, Steve Pritko, Jethro Pugh, Mike Pyle, Lee Remmel, Adrian Robinson, William Roffler, Tyler Sash, Tom Scott, Allie Sherman, John Siegal, Joe Skibinski, J. D. Smith, Robert Sowell, Dick Stanfel, Jim Steffen, Charlie Sumner, Rich Szaro, Bob Toneff, Laverne Torczon, LaVern Torgeson, Bobby Towns, Ted Vaught, Danny Villanueva, Jerry Wilson, Dick Wood.

Preseason

Training camps for the 2015 season began July 22 and continued through the end of preseason, September 3. The normal training camp window ran from late July to late August or early September. Most of the camps had rookies report first, then veterans. At that point, some teams practiced versus another organization, like the Bills practiced against the Browns this year. Teams started training camp no earlier than fifteen days before the team's first scheduled preseason game. At that point, the rosters for each team were open to 90 players. Those rosters were cut to 75 by Week 3 of preseason, and the final 53-man roster was submitted at the end of preseason.

Prior to the start of the regular season, each team played at least four exhibition games. The preseason schedule got underway with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Sunday evening, August 9. The Hall of Fame game is a traditional part of the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend celebrating new Hall of Fame members. It was played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium which is located adjacent to the Hall of Fame building in Canton, Ohio. The game, which was televised in the U.S. on NBC, featured the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers; as in previous years, each team had an inductee in the class of 2015 (Mick Tingelhoff for the Vikings, Jerome Bettis for the Steelers).[71] The 65-game preseason schedule ended on Thursday, September 3, a week before the start of the regular season, with each team having played four preseason games, except for the Steelers and Vikings, who played five games. The preliminary preseason schedule was released Thursday, April 9.

Regular season

The 2015 regular season featured 256 games played out over a seventeen-week schedule which began on the Thursday night following Labor Day. Each of the league's 32 teams played a 16-game schedule with one bye week for each team scheduled between weeks four and eleven. The slate also featured seventeen games on Monday night, two of which were played at the end of the first week of the regular season. Additionally, there was no Monday Night game at the end of the final week of the regular season, the same as in previous years. There were games played on Thursday, including the opening game of the regular season on Thursday, September 10 and three games on Thanksgiving Day. The regular season concluded with a full slate of 16 games on Sunday, January 3, all of which were intra-divisional matchups, as it has been since 2010, with the Minnesota Vikings beating the Green Bay Packers on NBC Sunday Night Football

Scheduling formula

Under the NFL's scheduling formula, each team plays each of the other three teams in their own division twice (one home and one away). In addition, a team plays against all four teams in one other division within the conference, on a 3-year rotation; and one division from the opposite conference, on a 4-year rotation. Two games on a team's schedule are against the two teams in the team's own conference in the divisions the team was not set to play who finished the previous season in the same rank in their division (e.g. the team which finished first in its division the previous season would play each other team in their conference that also finished first in its respective division). The pre-set division pairings for 2015 are as follows:[72]

   Intra-conference
AFC East vs. AFC South
AFC North vs. AFC West
NFC East vs. NFC South
NFC North vs. NFC West

   Inter-conference
AFC East vs. NFC East
AFC West vs. NFC North
AFC North vs. NFC West
AFC South vs. NFC South

Highlights of the 2015 schedule include:

  • NFL Kickoff Game: The 2015 season began on Thursday, September 10, 2015, with the Super Bowl XLIX champion New England Patriots hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots defeated the Steelers, 28-21.
  • International Series: Three games were played at Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom in 2015, with two games being played in back-to-back weeks for the first time.[73] The Miami Dolphins played the New York Jets on Sunday, October 4, the first ever divisional game played in the International Series.[73] The Jacksonville Jaguars then hosted the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, October 25, in the third of four consecutive home games for the Jaguars in the International Series. Finally, the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Detroit Lions on Sunday, November 1,[73] making 2015 the Lions' second consecutive year in the International Series. All three games began at 9:30 a.m. ET.[74]
  • Thanksgiving Day games: These games occurred on Thursday, November 26, 2015. For the second consecutive season, the AFC was shut out of Thanksgiving, with all six slots going to NFC teams. As usual, three consecutive games were played; the Detroit Lions hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in the early slot on Fox and the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Carolina Panthers in the middle slot on CBS; this was the Panthers' first ever Thanksgiving appearance. The Green Bay Packers hosted the Chicago Bears in the primetime game, where the Packers retired longtime quarterback Brett Favre's No. 4 jersey.
  • Christmas: The Oakland Raiders hosted the San Diego Chargers at 8:25 p.m. EST (5:25 p.m. local time) on December 24, Christmas Eve. This was the second ever night game on Christmas Eve (the first was in 2007, which was also played in the Pacific Time Zone) and the first time the league has played on a Thursday Christmas Eve. The league has traditionally avoided playing night games on Christmas Eve and, in years past, moved games that would usually play on the night of Christmas Eve to another day of the week, an option the league did not exercise in 2015; no games were held on Christmas Day, which fell on a Friday, in 2015 as the NFL rarely plays games on that day of the week.

In-season scheduling changes

  • Week 10: The BearsRams game was "cross-flexed" from Fox to CBS (still at 1:00 p.m. ET).[75]
  • Week 11: The BengalsCardinals game, originally scheduled at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS, was flexed into the 8:30 p.m. ET slot on NBC's Sunday Night Football, in place of the originally scheduled ChiefsChargers game, which was moved to 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS. The PackersVikings game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET, was moved to 4:25 p.m. ET (still on Fox).[75]
  • Week 13: The PanthersSaints game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET, was moved to 4:25 p.m. ET (still on Fox), while the Bengals–Browns game was "cross-flexed" from CBS to Fox (still at 1:00 p.m. ET).[76]
  • Week 14: The PatriotsTexans game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was flexed into the 8:30 p.m. ET slot on NBC's Sunday Night Football, in place of the originally scheduled SeahawksRavens game, which was moved to 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox.[77]
  • Week 15: The Cardinals–Eagles game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was flexed into the 8:30 p.m. ET slot on NBC's Sunday Night Football, in place of the originally scheduled Bengals–49ers game, which was moved to 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, while the BillsRedskins game was "cross-flexed" from CBS to Fox (still at 1:00 p.m. ET).[78]
  • Week 16: The Giants–Vikings game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was flexed into the 8:30 p.m. ET slot on NBC's Sunday Night Football, in place of the originally scheduled Steelers–Ravens game, which was moved to 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, while the ColtsDolphins game was "cross-flexed" from CBS to Fox (still at 1:00 p.m. ET). In addition, the Jaguars-Saints game was moved from 1:00 p.m. ET to 4:05 p.m. ET (still on CBS).[79]
  • Week 17:[80]
    • The Vikings–Packers game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was selected as the final 8:30 p.m. ET NBC Sunday Night Football game of the season, which decided the NFC North division champion.
    • The Ravens–Bengals game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was "cross-flexed" to Fox (keeping the same kickoff time).
    • The Buccaneers–Panthers game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was moved to 4:25 p.m. ET (still on Fox).
    • The Raiders–Chiefs game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was "cross-flexed" to 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.
    • The Rams–49ers game, originally scheduled at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox, was "cross-flexed" to CBS (keeping the same kickoff time).

Regular season standings

Division

Conference

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division Leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Denver Broncos West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .500 .479 W2
2[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .473 .448 L2
3[lower-alpha 1] Cincinnati Bengals North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .477 .406 W1
4 Houston Texans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .496 .410 W3
Wild Cards
5 Kansas City Chiefs West 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 .496 .432 W10
6[lower-alpha 2] Pittsburgh Steelers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .504 .463 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[lower-alpha 2] New York Jets East 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .441 .388 L1
8[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 .508 .438 W2
9[lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South 8 8 0 .500 4–2 6–6 .500 .406 W2
10 Oakland Raiders West 7 9 0 .438 3–3 7–5 .512 .366 L1
11 Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .469 .469 W2
12[lower-alpha 4] Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .473 .375 L3
13[lower-alpha 4] Baltimore Ravens North 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 .508 .425 L1
14 San Diego Chargers West 4 12 0 .250 0–6 3–9 .527 .328 L2
15[lower-alpha 5] Cleveland Browns North 3 13 0 .188 1–5 2–10 .531 .271 L3
16[lower-alpha 5] Tennessee Titans South 3 13 0 .188 1–5 1–11 .492 .375 L4
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 6]
  1. Denver finished ahead of New England and Cincinnati for the No. 1 seed based on head-to-head sweep. New England finished ahead of Cincinnati for the No. 2 seed based
    on record vs. common opponents — New England's cumulative record against Buffalo, Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh was 4–1, while Cincinnati's cumulative record against
    the same four teams was 2–3.
  2. Pittsburgh finished ahead of the New York Jets for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Pittsburgh's cumulative
    record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Oakland was 4–1, while the Jets' cumulative record against the same four teams was 3–2.
  3. Buffalo finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory.
  4. Jacksonville finished ahead of Baltimore based on head-to-head victory.
  5. Cleveland finished ahead of Tennessee based on head-to-head victory.
  6. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division Leaders
1 Carolina Panthers South 15 1 0 .938 5–1 11–1 .441 .438 W1
2 Arizona Cardinals West 13 3 0 .813 4–2 10–2 .477 .457 L1
3 Minnesota Vikings North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 8–4 .504 .449 W3
4 Washington Redskins East 9 7 0 .563 4–2 8–4 .465 .403 W4
Wild Cards
5[lower-alpha 1] Green Bay Packers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .531 .450 L2
6[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .520 .431 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Atlanta Falcons South 8 8 0 .500 1–5 5–7 .480 .453 L1
8[lower-alpha 2] St. Louis Rams West 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 .527 .482 L1
9[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .535 .429 W3
10[lower-alpha 2] Philadelphia Eagles East 7 9 0 .438 3–3 4–8 .508 .473 W1
11[lower-alpha 2] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 5–7 .504 .402 W2
12[lower-alpha 3] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .500 .396 L3
13[lower-alpha 3] Chicago Bears North 6 10 0 .375 1–5 3–9 .547 .469 L1
14[lower-alpha 3] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 6 10 0 .375 3–3 5–7 .484 .406 L4
15 San Francisco 49ers West 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .539 .463 W1
16 Dallas Cowboys East 4 12 0 .250 3–3 3–9 .531 .438 L4
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 4]
  1. Green Bay finished ahead of Seattle based on head-to-head victory.
  2. St. Louis and Detroit finished ahead of Philadelphia and New Orleans based on conference record. St. Louis finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
    Detroit finished ahead of Philadelphia and New Orleans based on head-to-head sweep, while Philadelphia finished ahead of New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
  3. The New York Giants and Chicago each finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory, while the Giants finished ahead of Chicago based on conference record.
  4. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason

The 2015 playoffs opened with the Wild Card playoff round on the weekend of Saturday, January 9 and Sunday, January 10, 2016, with the winner of each of the games visiting the top two seeded teams in each conference. The Divisional round games were then played on the weekend of Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17, 2016. The Conference championships were held on Sunday, January 24, 2016 with the AFC Championship Game and the NFC Championship Game.

The 2016 Pro Bowl was held on January 31, 2016 at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The game continued the "unconferenced/draft" format that was started in 2014, with Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin serving as the alumni captains. Team Irvin defeated Team Rice 49–27.

Super Bowl 50 decided the 2015 NFL Champion and was played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Sunday, February 7, 2016. Instead of naming it Super Bowl L with Roman numerals like in previous Super Bowls, this game was marketed with the Arabic numeral "50".[2] According to Jaime Weston, the league's vice president of brand and creative, the primary reason was that the league's graphic designers had difficulty designing a suitable, aesthetically pleasing logo with only the Roman numeral "L".[2]

Playoffs bracket

Jan. 10 – FedExField Jan. 16 – University of Phoenix Stadium
5 Green Bay 35
5 Green Bay 20
4 Washington 18 Jan. 24 – Bank of America Stadium
2 Arizona 26*
NFC
Jan. 10 – TCF Bank Stadium 2 Arizona 15
Jan. 17 – Bank of America Stadium
1 Carolina 49
6 Seattle 10 NFC Championship
6 Seattle 24
3 Minnesota 9 Feb. 7 – Levi's Stadium
1 Carolina 31
Wild Card playoffs
Divisional playoffs
Jan. 9 – NRG Stadium N1 Carolina 10
Jan. 16 – Gillette Stadium
A1 Denver 24
5 Kansas City 30 Super Bowl 50
5 Kansas City 20
4 Houston 0 Jan. 24 – Sports Authority Field at Mile High
2 New England 27
AFC
Jan. 9 – Paul Brown Stadium 2 New England 18
Jan. 17 – Sports Authority Field at Mile High
1 Denver 20
6 Pittsburgh 18 AFC Championship
6 Pittsburgh 16
3 Cincinnati 16
1 Denver 23


* Indicates overtime victory

Notable events

Some NFL-related events that made headlines in 2015 include:

Aftermath of Deflategate scandal

In May, after a lengthy investigation led by Ted Wells, the external investigator appointed by the NFL, the league levied its punishment against the Patriots in the so-called "Deflategate" scandal. The scandal stemmed from the discovery that several of the footballs used by the Patriots during the previous season's AFC championship game were not within the league's inflation guidelines. The Patriots were fined $1 million and stripped of their first-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft and their fourth-round selection in the 2017 NFL draft. Quarterback Tom Brady, who the league's report determined was likely aware of a scheme to manipulate inflation levels, was suspended for four games. Additionally, two locker room attendants employed by the Patriots were suspended indefinitely.[81]

While the team agreed not to appeal the fine and draft pick revocation, Brady appealed his suspension. League commissioner Roger Goodell heard the appeal and confirmed the sentence on July 28. Immediately upon the announcement of the appeal verdict, the league filed suit against the NFL Players Association in civil court in an effort to gain a ruling upholding the punishment.[82] Judge Richard M. Berman pushed the two sides hard to reach a settlement, but when they were unable to he ruled for Brady and the union vacating the suspension imposed by the league. Although the league appealed Judge Berman's ruling, Brady's suspension was lifted clearing the way for him to play in the season opener.[83][84]

The two Patriots employees, assistant equipment manager John Jastremski and officials locker room attendant Jim McNally, who had previously been suspended by the team were allowed by the league to be reinstated in September. As a condition for the lifting of the suspensions, neither employee is allowed to be involved with the handling or preparation of game balls.[85]

Surprising retirements of several players

A number of relatively young NFL players walked away from the game prior to the 2015 season. The San Francisco 49ers lost three potential starters as linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland and offensive tackle Anthony Davis all announced their retirements. Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds and Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker also both retired despite having yet to reach the age of 30.

Willis, who was regarded as one of the best middle linebackers in the league, played in just six games in 2014 as he dealt with a toe injury. He announced in March his decision to retire at age 30 due to the chronic nature of the foot injuries he had endured in his eight-year career.[86]

Borland led the 49ers with 107 tackles in his rookie season in 2014 despite starting just eight games after being selected in the third round of the 2014 draft. Borland cited concerns over the potential long-term impact to his brain health in continuing to play the game in announcing his retirement which he did in March just days after Willis' announcement.[87]

Davis missed four games in 2014 with his first diagnosed concussion. In announcing his retirement in June, he said that he planned to take "a year or so away from the NFL" to "allow my brain and body a chance to heal."[88]

Worilds was entering free agency after playing for the Steelers the previous five seasons. He turned down contract offers worth tens of millions of dollars in order to devote more time to his Jehovah's Witnesses faith.[89]

Locker played four years for the Titans after they made him the eighth overall selection in 2011 draft. He was a free agent when he announced that he would be retiring because he had lost "the burning desire necessary to play the game for a living."[90]

First female coach and on-field official

The 2015 season marked the hiring of the first female NFL coach and first female NFL on-field official. Jen Welter was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as a coaching intern. Welter worked with the team's inside linebackers through the off-season and pre-season.[91] Welter's internship with the Cardinals expired after the team's third preseason game on August 30.[92]

Sarah Thomas became the NFL's first female on-field official when she was hired by the league in April.[note 1] Thomas had previously become the first female to officiate a major college football game as well as the first to officiate a bowl game.[94]

Official suspended one game due to timekeeping gaffe

The NFL suspended side judge Rob Vernatchi (from Pete Morelli's crew) for Week 6 of the regular season due to a timekeeping blunder that occurred during a game the previous week. The host San Diego Chargers kicked a field goal to take a 3-point lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers with 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. The subsequent kickoff was a touchback, which shouldn't have resulted in any time coming off the game clock. However, when the Steelers took over on offense the scoreboard clock read 2:38. Vernatchi was responsible for keeping the official game time, but he did not notice the 18-second discrepancy. The Steelers ended up scoring a touchdown to secure a win with no time left on the clock.[95]

Referee crew demoted following questionable calls

The referee crew led by Pete Morelli had been assigned to officiate a Sunday Night Football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13, but was reassigned to a different game (Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots), due to heavy criticism for questionable calls made during the previous week's Arizona CardinalsSan Francisco 49ers game. Morelli's crew drew the ire of Cardinals' head coach Bruce Arians and 49ers' safety Eric Reed, including a botched roughing-the-passer call on Cardinals' quarterback Carson Palmer that aided the Cardinals' eventual game-winning drive, as well as a missed delay-of-game penalty. Morelli's crew had previously been the subject of criticism, following a clock error during a Week 5 game — see above.[96] In addition, Morelli's crew was involved in a missed call at the end of the Jacksonville JaguarsBaltimore Ravens game in Week 10, where they missed a false start penalty against the Jaguars before the final snap that resulted in a facemask penalty against the Ravens when time expired, allowing the Jaguars to gain 15 yards and kick the game-winning field goal.[97]

Discipline for off-field incidents

A total of 26 players were suspended by the league as of the season's first week. Most of these suspensions were for violations of the league's performance-enhancing drug (PED), substance abuse and personal conduct policies.[98]

Browns GM suspended for texting scandal

Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer was suspended by the league for the first four games of the 2015 season due to a texting scandal which occurred in 2014. The league found that Farmer had used a cellphone to communicate with personnel on the Browns' sideline "on multiple occasions during games" in violation of league rules which prohibit such communications. In addition to Farmer's suspension, the team was assessed a fine of $250,000.[99]

Falcons stripped of draft pick after being caught supplementing crowd noise

The league stripped the Atlanta Falcons of their selection in the fifth round of the 2016 draft after it was determined that they had been using pre-recorded crowd noise during the team's home games throughout 2013 and into 2014. In addition to losing the draft pick the franchise was fined $350,000 and team president Rich McKay was suspended from his post as chairman of the league's Competition Committee for three months starting in April. The team fired event marketing director Roddy White who they determined was directly responsible for the violation.[100][101]

Bills suspend assistant coach Aaron Kromer after assault arrest

Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer was suspended by the team for the first six weeks of the season after he was arrested for an altercation during which Kromer allegedly punched a teenager. The incident occurred in July near Kromer's home in Florida. Charges in the matter were eventually dropped.[102][103][104]

Browns assistant coach Andy Moeller suspended following an alleged domestic incident

Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller was suspended indefinitely by the Browns in September after in incident in which police were called to Moeller's house after a female houseguest alleged that Moeller physically assaulted her.[105] Prosecutors declined to press charges related to the incident despite their conclusion that "it is quite clear an incident of volatile nature took place."[106] On September 29, 2015, the Browns officially parted ways with Moeller.[107]

Records, milestones, and notable statistics

Week 1
  • Tom Brady became the quarterback with the most regular season wins for a single franchise in NFL history (161 victories), breaking the record held by Brett Favre.[108]
  • Marcus Mariota became the first quarterback in NFL history to gain a perfect 158.3 passer rating in his NFL debut and the first quarterback in NFL history to throw four TD passes in the first half of his NFL debut.[109] He also became the youngest quarterback to gain a perfect passer rating (21 years, 318 days) surpassing Robert Griffin III.[110]
  • Brandon McManus became the second kicker in NFL history to make multiple field goals of 56 or more yards in the same game, joining Greg Zuerlein, who achieved that feat in 2012.[111]
Week 2
  • Peyton Manning became the second quarterback in NFL history to reach 70,000 regular season passing yards, joining Brett Favre.[112]
  • The Denver Broncos set a new NFL record for consecutive division away wins with 13, surpassing the previous record that the San Francisco 49ers set between 1987 and 1990.[113]
  • The New York Giants became the first team in NFL history to start a season 0–2 while holding double digit leads in the fourth quarter in both games.[114]
  • Marcus Mariota became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw six TD passes in his first two career games.[115]
Week 3
Week 4
  • Drew Brees became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to throw 400 touchdown passes and became also the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 5,000 pass completions in his career.[116][117]
  • Adam Vinatieri became the first player in NFL history to score 1,000 points with two different teams.[120]
Week 5
  • The Indianapolis Colts recorded an NFL record 16th consecutive division win.[121]
  • Matthew Stafford and Dan Orlovsky combined to tie an NFL record for most pass attempts by one team in a game with 70 pass attempts during the Lions' loss to the Arizona Cardinals.[122]
  • Devonta Freeman became the first player in the Super Bowl era to rush for at least seven touchdowns in his first three starts to begin a career.[123]
  • Antonio Gates caught his 100th receiving touchdown and became the ninth player and second tight end to reach this mark in NFL history.[124]
  • Peyton Manning surpassed Brett Favre as the NFL's all-time leader in combined regular season and postseason passing yards.[125]
Week 6
  • Aaron Rodgers became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to throw for 30,000 yards, needing only 3,652 attempts to reach the mark.[126]
Week 7
  • Five teams (the Panthers, Packers, Broncos, Bengals, and Patriots) started the season 6–0, setting a new NFL record for most teams to start a season 6–0 or better.[127]
  • Ryan Tannehill set the NFL record for consecutive completed passes with 25, completing his first 18 passes his Week 7 game and the final seven of his previous game.[128]
  • Tom Brady became the fifth quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 55,000 yards.[127]
Week 8
  • In a game between the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints, the two teams combined for 13 touchdown passes, setting a new NFL record for the most combined passing touchdowns between both teams in a single game. The Saints defeated the Giants, 52–49. Drew Brees became the eighth quarterback to throw seven TD passes in a single game and Eli Manning became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw six TD passes with no interceptions but lose the game.[129] Brees also joined Ben Roethlisberger as one of only two quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for at least 500 yards in a game at least twice in a career.[130] The combined score of 101 points was, at the time, the third highest scoring game in NFL history (although it has since moved to the fourth highest scoring game). In addition, the Giants' 49 points tied the NFL record for the most points scored by a losing team (with the Houston Oilers).
  • Peyton Manning tied Brett Favre for the record of most regular season career victories all-time by a starting quarterback with the Broncos' 29–10 win against the Packers with 186 wins.[131]
  • Four teams started the season 7–0, setting a new NFL record.[132]
Week 9
Week 10
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
  • Russell Wilson became the first quarterback in NFL history to have at least three touchdown passes and no interceptions in five straight games.[152]
  • Cam Newton became the first player in NFL history to rush for at least 100 yards and pass for at least 300 yards with five touchdowns in a single game.[153]
  • Tom Brady became the second quarterback in NFL history to throw at least 35 touchdown passes in a season four times, joining Peyton Manning.[154]
  • Drew Brees became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to reach at least 60,000 regular season passing yards, joining Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Dan Marino. Brees became both the youngest and fastest quarterback to reach this mark in NFL history. Brees also set new NFL records for most consecutive seasons with at least 4,000 passing yards (ten straight seasons) and most regular season games with at least 300 passing yards in a career (94 games).[153]
  • Antonio Brown set a new NFL record for the most receptions by any player in any three consecutive seasons in NFL history (355 receptions), breaking Marvin Harrison's record of 354 receptions during the 2000–02 seasons.[155]
  • The Kansas City Chiefs became the first team in NFL history to follow up a five-game losing streak with an eight-game winning streak.[153]
Week 16
  • Brandon Marshall reached 100 catches for an NFL record sixth season. He also became the first Jets player to reach 100 catches in a season.[156]
  • Anquan Boldin became the 13th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 career catches.[156]
  • In their loss to the St. Louis Rams, the Seattle Seahawks never gained a lead at any time, which ended their NFL record streak of 70 consecutive games (both regular season and playoff games) in which they had held a lead at any point during a game. This was the first time that the Seahawks failed to gain a lead at any point during a game since the final week of the 2011 season.[157]
  • The Kansas City Chiefs became the second team since the AFL-NFL merger to clinch a playoff berth after going 1–5 over the first six games of a season, joining the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals.[158]
  • Cam Newton became the first player in NFL history to throw at least 30 touchdown passes and score at least eight rushing touchdowns in a season.[156]
  • Antonio Brown became the second player in NFL history to record 1,600 receiving yards in back to back seasons, joining Calvin Johnson, who accomplished the feat in 2011–12. Brown also became the second player in NFL history to record 120 catches in back to back seasons, joining Cris Carter (1994–95).[159]
  • Adam Vinatieri became the third placekicker in NFL history to make 500 field goals in a career, joining Morten Andersen and Gary Anderson.[160]
  • As of the end of week 16, the New Orleans Saints had surrendered 43 total passing touchdowns during the season, setting a new NFL record for most passing touchdowns surrendered during a season.[161]
  • Kirk Cousins finished the season posting the highest completion percentage (74.7) in home games in NFL history, with a minimum of 100 attempts.[162]
Week 17
  • Russell Wilson became the first quarterback in NFL history to have 4,000 or more passing yards, 30 or more passing touchdowns, and 500 or more rushing yards in the same season.[163]
  • Antonio Brown set an NFL record of 265 receptions over the last two NFL seasons and became the first wide receiver in NFL history to record at least 1,700 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back seasons.[164]
  • Frank Gore became the 15th player in NFL history to reach 12,000 career rushing yards.[165]
  • Drew Brees finished the season with 4,870 passing yards, his NFL-record sixth consecutive season with at least 4,500 yards. Brees has seven career 4,500-yard passing seasons, the most in NFL history. Brees also led the league in passing for the sixth time in his career, setting an NFL record for most seasons leading the league, breaking the record of five that was shared by Sonny Jurgensen and Dan Marino.[166] In addition, Brees tied Tom Brady for third most all-time regular season passing touchdowns after Brady failed to throw a TD pass during the Patriots' loss to the Miami Dolphins.[167]
  • Eleven different quarterbacks passed for 30 or more touchdowns setting an NFL single season record. The previous record was nine quarterbacks set in 2014.[168]
Divisional Round
Super Bowl 50

Regular season statistical leaders

Individual[175]
Scoring leaderStephen Gostkowski, New England (151)
Most Field Goals MadeBlair Walsh, Minnesota (34 FGs)
TouchdownsDoug Baldwin, Seattle, Devonta Freeman, Atlanta, Brandon Marshall, New York Jets and Allen Robinson, Jacksonville (14 TDs)
RushingAdrian Peterson, Minnesota (1,485 yards)
Passing yardsDrew Brees, New Orleans (4,870 yards)
Passing touchdownsTom Brady, New England (36 TDs)
Passer ratingRussell Wilson, Seattle (110.1 rating)
Pass receptionsAntonio Brown, Pittsburgh and Julio Jones, Atlanta (136 catches)
Pass receiving yardsJulio Jones, Atlanta (1,871 yards)
Combined tacklesNaVorro Bowman, San Francisco (154 tackles)
InterceptionsReggie Nelson, Cincinnati and Marcus Peters, Kansas (8)
PuntingJohnny Hekker, Los Angeles (4,601 yards, 47.9 average yards)
SacksJ.J. Watt, Houston (17.5)

Awards

Individual season awards

The 5th Annual NFL Honors, saluting the best players and plays from 2015 season, was held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California on February 6, 2016.[176]

AwardWinnerPositionTeam
AP Most Valuable PlayerCam NewtonQuarterbackCarolina Panthers
AP Offensive Player of the YearCam NewtonQuarterbackCarolina Panthers
AP Defensive Player of the YearJ. J. WattDefensive endHouston Texans
AP Coach of the YearRon RiveraCoachCarolina Panthers
AP Assistant Coach of the YearWade PhillipsDefensive coordinatorDenver Broncos
AP Offensive Rookie of the YearTodd GurleyRunning backSt. Louis Rams
AP Defensive Rookie of the YearMarcus PetersCornerbackKansas City Chiefs
AP Comeback Player of the YearEric BerrySafetyKansas City Chiefs
Pepsi Rookie of the YearJameis WinstonQuarterbackTampa Bay Buccaneers
Walter Payton NFL Man of the YearAnquan BoldinWide receiverSan Francisco 49ers
PFWA NFL Executive of the YearMike MaccagnanGeneral ManagerNew York Jets
Super Bowl Most Valuable PlayerVon MillerLinebackerDenver Broncos

All-Pro team

The following players were named First Team All-Pro by the Associated Press:

Offense
QuarterbackCam Newton, Carolina
Running backAdrian Peterson, Minnesota
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay
FullbackMike Tolbert, Carolina
Wide receiverAntonio Brown, Pittsburgh
Julio Jones, Atlanta
Tight endRob Gronkowski, New England
Offensive tackleJoe Thomas, Cleveland
Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati
Offensive guardMarshal Yanda, Baltimore
David DeCastro, Pittsburgh
CenterRyan Kalil, Carolina
Defense
Defensive endJ. J. Watt, Houston
Khalil Mack, Oakland
Defensive tackleAaron Donald, St. Louis
Geno Atkins, Cincinnati
Outside linebackerVon Miller, Denver
Khalil Mack, Oakland
Thomas Davis, Carolina
Inside linebackerLuke Kuechly, Carolina
NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco
CornerbackJosh Norman, Carolina
Patrick Peterson, Arizona
SafetyTyrann Mathieu, Arizona
Eric Berry, Kansas City
Special teams
PlacekickerStephen Gostkowski, New England
PunterJohnny Hekker, St. Louis
Kick returnerTyler Lockett, Seattle

Players of the week/month

The following were named the top performers during the 2015 season:

Week/
Month
Offensive
Player of the Week/Month
Defensive
Player of the Week/Month
Special Teams
Player of the Week/Month
AFC NFC AFC NFC AFC NFC
1 Marcus Mariota[177]
(Titans)
Julio Jones[178]
(Falcons)
Aqib Talib[177]
(Broncos)
Aaron Donald[178]
(Rams)
Jarvis Landry[177]
(Dolphins)
Tavon Austin[178]
(Rams)
2 Ben Roethlisberger[179]
(Steelers)
Larry Fitzgerald[180]
(Cardinals)
Darrelle Revis[179]
(Jets)
Sean Lee[180]
(Cowboys)
Travis Benjamin[179]
(Browns)
David Johnson[180]
(Cardinals)
3 A. J. Green[181]
(Bengals)
Aaron Rodgers[182]
(Packers)
Preston Brown[181]
(Bills)
Tyrann Mathieu[182]
(Cardinals)
Pat McAfee[181]
(Colts)
Darren Sproles[182]
(Eagles)
Sept. Tom Brady[183]
(Patriots)
Julio Jones[184]
(Falcons)
DeMarcus Ware[183]
(Broncos)
Josh Norman[184]
(Panthers)
Stephen Gostkowski[183]
(Patriots)
Tyler Lockett[184]
(Seahawks)
4 Philip Rivers[185]
(Chargers)
Drew Brees[186]
(Saints)
T. J. Ward[185]
(Broncos)
Josh Norman[186]
(Panthers)
Justin Tucker[185]
(Ravens)
Robbie Gould[186]
(Bears)
5 Josh McCown[187]
(Browns)
Eli Manning[188]
(Giants)
Mike Adams[187]
(Colts)
Fletcher Cox[188]
(Eagles)
Mike Nugent[187]
(Bengals)
Bobby Rainey[188]
(Buccaneers)
6 DeAndre Hopkins[189]
(Texans)
Calvin Johnson[190]
(Lions)
Cameron Wake[189]
(Dolphins)
Kawann Short[190]
(Panthers)
Chris Boswell[189]
(Steelers)
Michael Mauti[190]
(Saints)
7 Ryan Tannehill[191]
(Dolphins)
Kirk Cousins[192]
(Redskins)
Telvin Smith[191]
(Jaguars)
Michael Bennett[192]
(Seahawks)
Stephen Gostkowski[191]
(Patriots)
Dwayne Harris[192]
(Giants)
Oct. Andy Dalton[193]
(Bengals)
Devonta Freeman[194]
(Falcons)
Charles Woodson[193]
(Raiders)
Kawann Short[194]
(Panthers)
Brandon McManus[193]
(Broncos)
Johnny Hekker[194]
(Rams)
8 Tom Brady[195]
(Patriots)
Drew Brees[196]
(Saints)
Derek Wolfe[195]
(Broncos)
Kwon Alexander[196]
(Buccaneers)
Justin Tucker[195]
(Ravens)
Marcus Sherels[196]
(Vikings)
9 Marcus Mariota[197]
(Titans)
Cam Newton[198]
(Panthers)
Darius Butler[197]
(Colts)
Linval Joseph[198]
(Vikings)
Ryan Quigley[197]
(Jets)
Josh Brown[198]
(Giants)
10 Ben Roethlisberger[199]
(Steelers)
Kirk Cousins[200]
(Redskins)
Bacarri Rambo[199]
(Bills)
Terence Newman[200]
(Vikings)
Stephen Gostkowski[199]
(Patriots)
Ameer Abdullah[200]
(Lions)
11 Brock Osweiler[201]
(Broncos)
Cam Newton[202]
(Panthers)
J. J. Watt[201]
(Texans)
Lavonte David[202]
(Buccaneers)
Dustin Colquitt[201]
(Chiefs)
Mason Crosby[202]
(Packers)
12 C. J. Anderson[203]
(Broncos)
Russell Wilson[204]
(Seahawks)
Leon Hall[203]
(Bengals)
Luke Kuechly[204]
(Panthers)
Will Hill[203]
(Ravens)
Sam Martin[204]
(Lions)
Nov. Antonio Brown[205]
(Steelers)
Adrian Peterson[206]
(Vikings)
J. J. Watt[205]
(Texans)
Tyrann Mathieu[206]
(Cardinals)
Adam Vinatieri[205]
(Colts)
Graham Gano[206]
(Panthers)
13 Brandon Marshall[207]
(Jets)
Cam Newton[208]
(Panthers)
Tyvon Branch[207]
(Chiefs)
Malcolm Jenkins[208]
(Eagles)
Antonio Brown[207]
(Steelers)
Dan Bailey[208]
(Cowboys)
14 Ryan Fitzpatrick[209]
(Jets)
Eli Manning[210]
(Giants)
Khalil Mack[209]
(Raiders)
Aaron Donald[210]
(Rams)
Rashad Greene[209]
(Jaguars)
Chandler Catanzaro[210]
(Cardinals)
15 Antonio Brown[211]
(Steelers)
Cam Newton[211]
(Panthers)
Marcus Peters[211]
(Chiefs)
Deone Bucannon[211]
(Cardinals)
Carlos Dunlap[211]
(Bengals)
Benny Cunningham[211]
(Rams)
16 Ryan Fitzpatrick[212]
(Jets)
Julio Jones[212]
(Falcons)
Robert Mathis[212]
(Colts)
Dwight Freeney[212]
(Cardinals)
Marquette King[212]
(Raiders)
Blair Walsh[212]
(Vikings)
Dec. Antonio Brown[213]
(Steelers)
Kirk Cousins[213]
(Redskins)
Whitney Mercilus[213]
(Texans)
Kawann Short[213]
(Panthers)
Chris Boswell[213]
(Steelers)
Tyler Lockett[213]
(Seahawks)
17 Ronnie Hillman[214]
(Broncos)
Cam Newton[214]
(Panthers)
J. J. Watt[214]
(Texans)
Everson Griffen[214]
(Vikings)
D. J. Alexander[214]
(Chiefs)
Tyler Lockett[214]
(Seahawks)
Week FedEx Air
Player of the Week[215]
(Quarterbacks)
FedEx Ground
Player of the Week[215]
(Running Backs)
Pepsi Next
Rookie of the Week[216]
Castrol Edge
Clutch Performer
of the Week[217]
1 Philip Rivers
(Chargers)
Carlos Hyde
(49ers)
Marcus Mariota
(Titans)
Tony Romo
(Cowboys)
2 Tom Brady
(Patriots)
Matt Jones
(Redskins)
Jameis Winston
(Buccaneers)
Derek Carr
(Raiders)
3 Aaron Rodgers
(Packers)
Devonta Freeman
(Falcons)
Kwon Alexander
(Buccaneers)
Julio Jones
(Falcons)
4 Philip Rivers
(Chargers)
Chris Ivory
(Jets)
Todd Gurley
(Rams)
Kam Chancellor
(Seahawks)
5 Eli Manning
(Giants)
Doug Martin
(Buccaneers)
Jameis Winston
(Buccaneers)
Tyrod Taylor
(Bills)
6 Philip Rivers
(Chargers)
Chris Ivory
(Jets)
Stefon Diggs
(Vikings)
Damarious Randall
(Packers)
7 Ryan Tannehill
(Dolphins)
Lamar Miller
(Dolphins)
Amari Cooper
(Raiders)
Tom Brady
(Patriots)
8 Drew Brees
(Saints)
Todd Gurley
(Rams)
Kwon Alexander
(Buccaneers)
Drew Brees
(Saints)
9 Marcus Mariota
(Titans)
DeAngelo Williams
(Steelers)
Amari Cooper
(Raiders)
Antonio Brown
(Steelers)
10 Ben Roethlisberger
(Steelers)
Adrian Peterson
(Vikings)
Mario Edwards, Jr.
(Raiders)
Stephen Gostkowski
(Patriots)
11 Jameis Winston
(Buccaneers)
Doug Martin
(Buccaneers)
Jameis Winston
(Buccaneers)
Aaron Rodgers
(Packers)
12 Russell Wilson
(Seahawks)
Adrian Peterson
(Vikings)
Amari Cooper
(Raiders)
Derek Carr
(Raiders)
13 Ben Roethlisberger
(Steelers)
DeAngelo Williams
(Steelers)
Thomas Rawls
(Seahawks)
Jameis Winston
(Buccaneers)
14 Russell Wilson
(Seahawks)
Eddie Lacy
(Packers)
Tyler Lockett
(Seahawks)
Khalil Mack
(Raiders)
15 Ben Roethlisberger
(Steelers)
David Johnson
(Cardinals)
Amari Cooper
(Raiders)
Antonio Brown
(Steelers)
16 Drew Brees
(Saints)
Tim Hightower
(Saints)
Preston Smith
(Redskins)
Ryan Fitzpatrick
(Jets)
17 Ryan Tannehill
(Dolphins)
Rashad Jennings
(Giants)
Tyler Lockett
(Seahawks)
Peyton Manning
(Broncos)
Month Rookie of the Month
Offensive Defensive
Sept. Marcus Mariota[218]
(Titans)
Ronald Darby[218]
(Bills)
Oct. Todd Gurley[219]
(Rams)
Eric Kendricks[219]
(Vikings)
Nov. Jameis Winston[220]
(Buccaneers)
Damarious Randall[220]
(Packers)
Dec. David Johnson[213]
(Cardinals)
Marcus Peters[213]
(Chiefs)

Head coach/front office personnel changes

Offseason

Team 2014 head coach 2014 interim head coach Reason for leaving 2015 replacement Story/Accomplishments
Atlanta Falcons Mike Smith Fired Dan Quinn Smith compiled a record of 67–50 (.573), including the postseason, in seven seasons with the Falcons. He is the only coach to lead the franchise to consecutive winning seasons and consecutive playoff berths.[221]

Quinn, who never held a head coaching position prior to 2015, had served as defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Due to league anti-tampering rules, the Falcons had to wait until after the completion of the Seahawks' playoff run, before formally hiring Quinn.[222]

Buffalo Bills Doug Marrone Resigned Rex Ryan Marrone compiled a record of 15–17 (.469) in two seasons with the Bills and resigned on December 31, 2014.[223] His tenure was marked by the team's first winning season since 2004 but also by tensions with general manager Doug Whaley and players, especially Mike Williams, who requested a trade during the season. Marrone's contract had an opt-out clause which allowed him to resign his position within three days of the end of the season and still collect his full salary for the rest of the contract (he had one year remaining) if the team changed ownership which it did when the Bills were sold to the Pegula family in September. Marrone joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as offensive line coach.[224]

On January 12, 2015, the Bills hired Rex Ryan as their head coach. Ryan had spent the previous six seasons as head coach of the New York Jets.[225]

Chicago Bears Marc Trestman Fired John Fox Trestman compiled a record of 13–19 (.406) in two seasons with the Bears, and had finished the 2014 season with a 5–11 record. He and general manager Phil Emery were both dismissed on December 29, 2014.[226] Trestman then became offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.[227]

Fox was hired on January 16, 2015 to become the head coach. Fox spent the past 4 seasons as the head coach of the Denver Broncos.[228]

Denver Broncos John Fox Mutual decision Gary Kubiak In four seasons with the Broncos, Fox compiled a record of 49–22 (.690) including postseason games, won his division all four seasons, and appeared in Super Bowl XLVIII, but was bounced from the playoffs in the divisional round the other three years. By mutual agreement, Fox left the team on January 12, 2015, following the most recent divisional playoff loss.[229]

Kubiak was hired on January 19, 2015 to become the head coach. Kubiak, formerly head coach of the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2013, spent the past season as the offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.[230]

New York Jets Rex Ryan Fired Todd Bowles Ryan compiled a record of 50–52 (.490), including postseason games, in six seasons as head coach of the Jets. Ryan led the Jets to two AFC Championship Game appearances in his first two seasons, losing both, but failed to earn a winning season or playoff berth in his last four. He and general manager John Idzik, Jr. were both dismissed on December 29, 2014.[231]

Bowles was hired on January 14, 2015, to become their head coach after serving as defensive coordinator for Arizona Cardinals since 2013; he previously served as interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2011.[232]

Oakland Raiders Dennis Allen Tony Sparano Fired Jack Del Rio Allen was fired on September 29, 2014 after an 8–28 (.222) record as Raiders head coach, and an 0–4 start to the 2014 season.[233] Allen joined the staff of the New Orleans Saints for the 2015 season.[234]

Sparano, formerly head coach of the Miami Dolphins, finished the season as interim head coach, compiling a record of 3–9.[235] He then became tight ends coach for the San Francisco 49ers.[236]

Jack Del Rio was hired on January 14, 2015, to become their head coach after serving as defensive coordinator for Denver Broncos since 2012; he previously served as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2011.[237]

San Francisco 49ers Jim Harbaugh Mutual decision Jim Tomsula Harbaugh compiled a record of 49–22–1 (.688), including postseason games, in four seasons with the 49ers, and led the team to three NFC Championship Game appearances and a berth in Super Bowl XLVII. After a mediocre 8–8 season in 2014 (the first time his team did not make the playoffs) and amid tensions between Harbaugh and the 49ers front office, Harbaugh left to become head coach at his college alma mater, the University of Michigan.[238]

On January 14, 2015, Jim Tomsula was promoted to head coach after serving as defensive line coach with the team since 2007; it is his second time at the helm, as he previously served as the 49ers' interim head coach for one game, after Mike Singletary's firing in 2010.[239]

In-season

Team 2015 head coach Reason for leaving Interim replacement Story/Accomplishments
Miami Dolphins Joe Philbin Fired Dan Campbell Philbin compiled a record of 24–28 (.462), with no playoff appearances, in 3¼ seasons as head coach of the Dolphins. The Dolphins were expected to be contenders for a playoff position in 2015 but grossly underachieved, starting the season 1–3, which led to Philbin's firing. Campbell, the team's tight ends coach, will take over for the rest of the season.[240]
Tennessee Titans Ken Whisenhunt Mike Mularkey Whisenhunt compiled a record of 3–20 (.130), with no playoff appearances, in 1½ seasons as head coach of the Titans. After an impressive opening day win, the Titans lost six straight, resulting in Whisenhunt's dismissal. Mularkey, the team's tight ends coach, will take over as interim head coach. Mularkey's previous head coaching experience includes two seasons with the Buffalo Bills (2004–05) and one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2012).[241]
Philadelphia Eagles Chip Kelly Pat Shurmur Kelly compiled a record of 26–21 (.553) in almost three years with the Eagles. He led the team to the playoff in 2013, but lost in the Wild Card. He was fired from both his head coach and de facto general manager positions when the team, after its ninth loss of the season, was eliminated from postseason contention with one game remaining on the schedule. Shurmur, the Eagles' offensive coordinator, will fill in as head coach for the team's last game; he previously coached the Cleveland Browns from 2011 to 2012.[242]

Offseason

Team Position 2014 office holder Reason for leaving 2015 replacement Story/Accomplishments
New York Jets GM John Idzik Fired Mike Maccagnan Idzik was fired after two seasons with the New York Jets.[231] He then joined the staff of the Jacksonville Jaguars as a consultant.[243]

On January 13, 2015, the Jets hired Maccagnan as new general manager of the team. He was the director of college scouting for the Houston Texans prior to his hiring.[244]

Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery Ryan Pace Emery was fired after three seasons in Chicago.[245]

Pace was hired on January 8, 2015, after serving as the director of player personnel with the Saints since 2013.[246]

Philadelphia Eagles EVP-FO Tom Gamble Howie Roseman Roseman, who served as General Manager of the Eagles from 2010 to 2014, was promoted up to Executive Vice President of Football Operations. The General Manager position Roseman leaves behind remained unfilled, and head coach Chip Kelly fulfilled the duties of that position until his Week 16 firing.[247]

In-season

Team Position 2015 office holder Reason for leaving 2015 replacement Story/Accomplishments
Detroit Lions GM Martin Mayhew Fired Sheldon White (interim) After starting the season 1–6, the Lions fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. One week later, after another loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, owner Martha Firestone Ford fired Mayhew and Lewland.[248]
President Tom Lewand Rod Wood
Philadelphia Eagles VP- Player Personnel Ed Marynowitz Tom Donahoe Vice President of Player Personnel Ed Marynowitz was fired alongside Head Coach Chip Kelly on December 29, 2015.[249] Donahoe last served as president and general manager of the Buffalo Bills from 2001 to 2005 but has largely been out of football in the ten years since his firing from that position.
GM (de facto) Chip Kelly Howie Roseman Roseman, who carried the title of "executive vice president of football operations" while Kelly handled general manager duties in 2015, reverted to his previous general manager duties after Kelly's firing.

Stadiums

Tennessee Titans' venue renamed Nissan Stadium

The stadium in Nashville where the Tennessee Titans play their home games was renamed Nissan Stadium in an agreement with automobile manufacturer Nissan. Though financial terms remain undisclosed, the naming rights deal is expected to last for twenty years. Nissan operates two plants in Tennessee and is one of middle Tennessee's largest employers. Since 2006, the facility had been branded as "LP Field," under a naming rights agreement with Nashville-based building materials manufacturer Louisiana-Pacific. This is the third name change for the venue since its 1999 opening.[250]

Minnesota Vikings last season at TCF Bank Stadium

The Minnesota Vikings played at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis for the second straight season.[251] The Vikings arranged to play there for two years after their former home, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, was closed 2013 season and demolished so U.S. Bank Stadium, their new stadium, could be built on the site.[252] In August, a construction worker who was working on the new stadium died in a fall from the structure's roof.[253]

NRG Stadium Convert to Turf

NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans, converted from a natural grass field to an artificial turf field after week 1. Despite various attempts to improve field conditions, players from both the Texans and the visiting Kansas City Chiefs complained of poor field conditions in their week 1 game. The decision to convert was made 5 days later, and the turf field was installed in time for the Texans next home game against Tampa Bay in Week 3.[254]

Oakland Raiders

The team's lease at the Oakland Coliseum expired after the 2013 season, and the Raiders after that point became tenants of the Coliseum on a year-to-year basis.[255]

San Antonio

On July 29, 2014, reports surfaced that the Oakland Raiders might consider relocating to San Antonio in 2015 after owner Mark Davis met with San Antonio civic leaders the week before at the encouragement of former Raider Cliff Branch, whom Davis was in town to visit for a local ceremony for Branch. The Raiders themselves acknowledged Davis being in San Antonio for the event for Branch before news broke about a possible relocation, but would not confirm nor deny that Davis also mentioned being there discussing moving his team east.[256] Among the two existing NFL teams in Texas, Houston Texans' then-owner Bob McNair and Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones—the latter of which has San Antonio as part of his territorial rights and previously voiced support of an NFL team moving there when the New Orleans Saints temporarily played in San Antonio in 2005 due to damages to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina — both favored an NFL team playing in San Antonio.[257]

On September 3, 2014, the city of Oakland reached a tentative deal to build a new football stadium in Oakland, which would have resulted in the Coliseum being demolished; Davis did not respond to the proposal, which would have also forced the Oakland Athletics to build a new stadium of their own (which they did not agree to do), while Alameda County (then co-owners of the coliseum) indicated they would probably not have supported the plan.[258] Davis, in the meantime, had team officials scout the Alamodome to determine if it would be suitable for the NFL.[259]

Shared stadium with the Chargers in Los Angeles

On February 19, 2015, the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers announced plans for a privately financed $1.7 billion stadium that the two teams would build in Carson, California, if they were to move to the Los Angeles market.[260] Such a move would have marked a return to the nation's second-largest market for both teams; the Raiders played in Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994 while the Chargers called LA home for their inaugural season in the American Football League. The Chargers were at the time the only NFL team to play in Southern California, with San Diego being a 125-mile (201 km) distance from Los Angeles and had Los Angeles as a secondary market. The Chargers had been looking to replace Qualcomm Stadium (which, like the O.co Coliseum opened in the late 1960s) since at least 2003, and had an annual out clause in which it could move in exchange for paying a fine to the city of San Diego for its remaining years on its lease.

Due to television contracts, NFL bylaws, and being in the same division if both of the longstanding division rivals moved to LA, one of the teams would have had to move to the National Football Conference and the NFC West, something that Mark Davis volunteered the Raiders to be willing to do. The Raiders' move to the National Football Conference and the NFC West would have been considered ironic because Davis's father Al Davis was a staunch opponent of the NFL during its rivalry and eventual merger with the AFL. If such a realignment had occurred, one of the existing NFC West teams would have took their spot in the AFC West. The early rumor was that the Seattle Seahawks, who played in the AFC West from 1977 to 2001, would have been the favorite to switch conferences with the Raiders. However, that team's then growing rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers (who are assured of staying in the NFC West) pointed to either the Arizona Cardinals or the St. Louis Rams (if the latter had stayed in St. Louis) moving to the AFC West to take the Raiders' spot. If the Rams stayed in St. Louis, switching them to the AFC would have allowed for a yearly home-and-home with the cross-state Kansas City Chiefs.[261]

On October 23, 2015, Chargers spokesperson Mark Fabiani confirmed that the team planned to officially notify the NFL about its intentions to relocate to Los Angeles in January during the timetable for when teams can request to relocate.[262]

St. Louis Rams

The Rams and the St. Louis CVC (Convention & Visitors Commission) began negotiating deals to get the Rams' home stadium, the Edward Jones Dome, into the top 25 percent of stadiums in the league (i.e., top eight teams of the thirty-two NFL teams in reference to luxury boxes, amenities and overall fan experience). Under the terms of the lease agreement, the St. Louis CVC was required to make modifications to the Edward Jones Dome in 2005. However, then-owner Georgia Frontiere waived the provision in exchange for cash that served as a penalty for the city's noncompliance. The City of St. Louis, in subsequent years, made changes to the scoreboard and increased the natural lighting by replacing panels with windows, although the overall feel remained dark. The minor renovations which totaled about $70 million did not bring the stadium within the specifications required under the lease agreement. On February 1, 2013, an arbitrator (3 panel) selected to preside over the arbitration process found that the Edward Jones Dome was not in the top 25% of all NFL venues as required under the terms of the lease agreement between the Rams and the CVC. The arbitrator further found that the estimated $700 million in proposed renovations by the Rams was not unreasonable given the terms of the lease agreement. Finally, the City of St. Louis was Ordered to pay the Rams attorneys' fees which totaled a reported $2 million.

Publicly, city, county and state officials expressed no interest in providing further funding to the Edward Jones Dome in light of those entities, as well as taxpayers, continuing to owe approximately $300 million more on that facility. As such, if a resolution was not reached by the end of the 2014–15 NFL season and the City of St. Louis remained non-compliant in its obligations under the lease agreement, the Rams were free to nullify their lease and relocate.

On January 31, 2014, both the Los Angeles Times and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Rams owner Stan Kroenke had purchased 60 acres of land adjacent to the Forum in Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California. It was, by the most conservative estimates, sufficient land on which an NFL-proper stadium could be constructed. The purchase price was rumored to have been US$90–100 million. Commissioner Roger Goodell represented that Kroenke informed the league of the purchase. As an NFL owner, any purchase of land in which a potential stadium could be built must be disclosed to the league. This development further fueled rumors that the Rams intended to return its management and football operations to Southern California. The land was initially targeted for a Walmart Supercenter but Walmart could not get the necessary permits to build the center. Kroenke is married to Ann Walton Kroenke, who is a member of the Walton family and many of Kroenke's real estate deals have involved Walmart properties.[263][264][265] On January 5, 2015, The Los Angeles Times reported that Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and Stockbridge Capital Group were partnering to develop a new NFL stadium owned by Kroenke. The project included a stadium of up to 80,000 seats and a performance venue of 6,000 seats while reconfiguring the previously approved Hollywood Park plan for up to 890,000 square feet of retail, 780,000 square feet of office space, 2,500 new residential units, a 300-room hotel and 25 acres of public parks, playgrounds, open space and pedestrian and bicycle access. In lieu of this the city of St. Louis responded on January 9, 2015, by unveiling an outdoor, open-air, riverfront stadium that could accommodate the Rams and an MLS team with the hopes that the NFL bylaws would force them to stay. On February 24, 2015, the Inglewood City Council approved the stadium and the initiative with construction on the stadium beginning in December 2015.

With the Chargers, Raiders and Rams proposing their own stadiums as part of their Los Angeles relocation contingency plans, the proposed Farmers Field project was permanently scrapped in March 2015.[266] Farmers Field was a proposal from Anschutz Entertainment Group to lure an NFL team to Los Angeles by promising a new stadium, but AEG placed restrictions on any relocation that the rest of the league found unacceptable, and the project had lain dormant since 2012.[267]

Super Bowl 50 promotion

To mark the 50th Super Bowl, various gold-themed promotions and initiatives were held during the 2015 season, including gold-tinted logos across all NFL properties, the numbering of the 50-yard line on fields being painted in gold, sideline jackets and hats featuring gold-trimmed logos from week 7 onward, and Pro Bowl jersey designs incorporating gold numbering. Gold footballs were given to each high school that has had a player or coach appear in the Super Bowl, and "homecoming" events were held by teams at games.[268][1]

Through their first two home games, the Oakland Raiders declined to participate in the use of gold paint to mark the 50-yard line. On September 22, Sports Business Daily reported that NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy stated it was because the Oakland Athletics were still playing at the O.co Coliseum (the only stadium that is still shared by both an NFL team and a Major League Baseball team, which forces the Raiders to play on its dirt infield until the baseball season concludes), but the Coliseum's General Manager Chris Wright responded by saying that the Raiders told him not to apply the gold marks for the remaining regular season games.[269] One day later, Raiders owner Mark Davis confirmed that the gold markings would be used after the conclusion of the Athletics season, boasting that because they had appeared in five of them, "nobody respects the Super Bowl more than Raiders".[270]

New uniforms and patches

After it had been leaked months before by the Packers that both teams were allowed to wear their colored jerseys for Thursday Night Football contests,[271] on October 30, 2015, the NFL announced "Color Rush," a series of four Thursday contests in which all eight teams will wear one-time, specially designed and monochromatic alternate uniforms.[272] The Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans wore their regular alternate uniforms (with the Panthers debuting "Carolina blue" pants), while the Dallas Cowboys revived their white "Double Star" uniforms from the mid-1990s (while debuting white pants) and the St. Louis Rams wore a gold version of their 1973–99 throwbacks for the games. The other four teams involved (Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) wore all-new uniforms for the games. The November 12 game between the Bills and Jets was particularly problematic, with the Bills' all-red uniforms (the first time the team has ever worn a red jersey on the field) and the Jets' kelly green outfits being indistinguishable to those with color blindness.[273]

  • The Cleveland Browns unveiled new uniforms on April 14, 2015. There are three jersey colors and three pants colors: orange, brown, and white, allowing for nine possible uniform combinations. The uniforms have "Cleveland" above the numbers on the front, "Browns" down the leg, and "Dawg Pound" inside the collar. The uniforms are the first in the NFL to utilize contrast stitching and chainmail/raised numbers. The city name in front and team name down the leg are also NFL firsts.[274] On February 24, the Browns slightly tweaked their logo. The orange on their helmet is brighter and the facemask, which was gray, is now brown. The team also updated their secondary logo.[275]
  • The San Francisco 49ers unveiled a new black alternate uniform on May 1, 2015. The jerseys have red numerals with matching black pants. This is the first alternate uniform in the team's history.[276] In addition, the 49ers sported a helmet decal and lapel pin honoring Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bob St. Clair who died in April; the decal had St. Clair's number 79 in white inside a black football shape.[277]
  • The Tennessee Titans switched their primary colored jerseys from light "Titans Blue" to navy blue, the latter of which was the team's primary home jersey color from 1999 to 2007.[278]
  • The Green Bay Packers unveiled a new throwback uniform on July 28, 2015. The design features the same layout the Packers used between 1937 and 1949, and again in 1994. Like the previous 1920s-inspired throwbacks, the base colors will be brown, navy blue and yellow.[279]
  • The Miami Dolphins unveiled a new throwback uniform to commemorate the team's 50th season on July 29, 2015. The uniform is a throwback to the Dolphins' inaugural season in 1966. The team also wore a patch celebrating the anniversary during the entirety of the season.[277][280]
  • The Baltimore Ravens wore a patch to commemorate the team's 20th season.[277][281] On December 20, 2015, the team also unexpectedly debuted gold pants for the first time, wearing them with their regular purple jerseys against the Kansas City Chiefs. Although gold is an official accent color of the Ravens, the pants got an overwhelmingly negative response on social media by both Ravens fans and fans of other NFL teams, with some comparisons being made to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers pants.[282]
  • The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wore a patch to commemorate the team's 40th season.[277][283]
  • The Oakland Raiders upgraded their uniforms to incorporate Nike's "Elite 51" technology, which most teams had been using since 2012.[284]
  • The New England Patriots changed the logo on their jerseys from their traditional cursive wordmark to the serif block lettering they adopted when they updated their logo in 2013.[285]
  • The Philadelphia Eagles wore a helmet decal in honor of Hall of Fame center/linebacker Chuck Bednarik who died in March. The decal featured Bednarik's number 60 in white inside a black circle.[277]
  • The Atlanta Falcons wore a patch recognizing the team's 50th year in the league.[277]
  • The New York Giants honored the late Frank Gifford and Ann Mara by adding a number 16 helmet decal and patch for Gifford and Mara respectively.[286]

Media

This was the second season under broadcast contracts with ESPN, CBS, Fox, and NBC. This included "cross-flexing" (switching) Sunday afternoon games between CBS and Fox before or during the season, regardless of whether the visiting team is in the AFC (which CBS normally airs) or the NFC (which is normally carried by Fox). NBC continued to air Sunday Night Football, the annual Kickoff game, and the primetime Thanksgiving game. ESPN continued carrying Monday Night Football and the Pro Bowl. Under a new eight-year deal, DirecTV continued to be the exclusive distributor of the NFL Sunday Ticket service.[287][288]

On May 12, 2015, it was announced that ABC would simulcast ESPN's wildcard game, marking the first time that ABC has broadcast any NFL game in nearly 10 years.[289] Fox also expanded its pre-game coverage by moving Fox NFL Kickoff to the main Fox network from Fox Sports 1, serving as a lead-in to Fox NFL Sunday.[290]

After its successful inaugural season under the arrangement, the NFL extended CBS's contract for Thursday Night Football into the 2015 season; as with the previous season, CBS produced all games, and the first seven games (weeks 2-7), as well as week 13, were broadcast by the CBS network. All games, including those not aired by CBS, were broadcast by NFL Network.[291] The package also included one Saturday game in Week 15 and one in Week 16, both exclusive to NFL Network

On March 23, 2015, league owners voted to, as an experiment, suspend the NFL's blackout rules for the 2015 season; no games were blacked out in their home markets because of insufficient ticket sales. These moves came after the Federal Communications Commission's September 2014 decision to stop enforcing blackout rules on terrestrial television stations, and the fact that, ultimately, no games were blacked out at all during the 2014 season.[292]

The NFL also experimented with online streaming as part of the International Series game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills. The game was streamed worldwide by Yahoo!, who handled hosting, promotion, and advertising sales for the stream, while CBS produced the telecast.[293] The game only aired on television in the team's home markets (in accordance with NFL policies), as well as in the United Kingdom on BBC Two and Sky Sports, and in China.[294] Brian Rolapp, the league's executive vice president of media, explained that the experiment was part of the NFL's efforts to attempt alternative distribution models for games, such as those that would appeal to viewers who do not subscribe to pay television.[293][295] Yahoo! was reported to have paid $15 million for the rights fees, plus an additional $2 million "marketing fee," and beat out Amazon.com, Twitter, and YouTube—some of whom had made higher bids but would have planned to place the broadcast behind a paywall, which the league resisted.[296]

The NFL entered into a social media partnership with Snapchat to present live stories with behind-the-scenes and fan perspectives from selected games.[297]

Television viewers and ratings

Most watched regular season games

RankDateMatchupNetworkViewers (millions)TV rating[298]WindowSignificance
1 November 26, 4:30 ET Carolina Panthers 33 Dallas Cowboys 14 CBS 32.5 14.3 Thanksgiving
2 November 1, 4:25 ET Seattle Seahawks 13 Dallas Cowboys 12 Fox 29.4 17 Late DH
3 December 13, 4:25 ET Dallas Cowboys 7 Green Bay Packers 28 28.9 16.5 Late DH
4 December 6, 4:25 ET Carolina Panthers 41 New Orleans Saints 38 28.6 16.3 Late DH[a]
5 November 15, 4:25 ET New England Patriots 27 New York Giants 26 CBS 28.3 16.3 Late DH[b] Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI rematch
6 November 26, 8:30 ET Chicago Bears 17 Green Bay Packers 13 NBC 27.8 13.8 SNF Bears–Packers Rivalry
7 December 27, 4:25 ET Green Bay Packers 8 Arizona Cardinals 38 Fox 27.8 15.5 Late DH[c]
8 November 22, 4:25 ET Green Bay Packers 30 Minnesota Vikings 13 27.4 16.2 Late DH[d] Packers–Vikings Rivalry
9 September 10, 8:30 ET Pittsburgh Steelers 21 New England Patriots 28 NBC 27.4 16.2 Kickoff Game
10 September 20, 4:25 ET Dallas Cowboys 20 Philadelphia Eagles 10 Fox 27.2 15.5 Late DH Cowboys–Eagles Rivalry

*Note — Late DH matchups listed in table are the matchups that were shown to the largest percentage of the market.

  1. ^ CAR/NO was shown to 61% of the markets during the late doubleheader time slot of Fox coverage.
  2. ^ NE/NYG was shown to 66% of the markets during the late doubleheader time slot of CBS coverage.
  3. ^ GB/ARI was shown to 92% of the markets during the late doubleheader time slot of Fox coverage.
  4. ^ GB/MIN was shown to 89% of the markets during the late doubleheader time slot of Fox coverage.

Playoff games

RankGameDateMatchupNetworkViewers (millions)TV Rating[299]
1 Super Bowl 50 February 7, 2016, 6:30 ET Carolina Panthers 10 Denver Broncos 24 CBS 111.9 46.6
2 AFC Championship January 24, 2016, 3:05 ET New England Patriots 18 Denver Broncos 20 53.3 31.7
3 NFC Championship January 24, 2016, 6:40 ET Arizona Cardinals 15 Carolina Panthers 49 Fox 45.7 26.8
4 Divisional Round January 17, 2016, 4:40 ET Pittsburgh Steelers 16 Denver Broncos 23 CBS 43.0 26.2
5 Wild Card Round January 10, 2016, 4:40 ET Green Bay Packers 35 Washington Redskins 18 Fox 38.8 23.6
6 Divisional Round January 17, 2016, 1:05 ET Seattle Seahawks 24 Carolina Panthers 31 36.7 23.1
7 Wild Card Round January 10, 2016, 1:05 ET Seattle Seahawks 10 Minnesota Vikings 9 NBC 35.3 22.5
8 Divisional Round January 16, 2016 8:15 ET Green Bay Packers 20 Arizona Cardinals 26 33.7 20.3
9 Divisional Round January 16, 2016, 4:35 ET Kansas City Chiefs 20 New England Patriots 27 CBS 31.5 19.7
10 Wild Card Round January 9, 2016, 8:15 ET Pittsburgh Steelers 18 Cincinnati Bengals 16 31.2 19.2
11 Wild Card Round January 9, 2016, 4:20 ET Kansas City Chiefs 30 Houston Texans 0 ESPN/ABC 25.1 16.2

Notes

  1. Shannon Eastin was the first woman to officiate an NFL game as a temporary non-union official during the 2012 NFL referee lockout.[93]

References

  1. "NFL going gold in 2015 to celebrate Super Bowl 50: Five things to know". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  2. Rovell, Darren (June 4, 2014). "NFL: It's Super Bowl 50, not L". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  3. "NFL Football Schedule Key Dates". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  4. "NFL Schedule Key Dates". CBSsports. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  5. "2015 Free Agent List" (PDF). National Football League.
  6. "Frank Gore agrees to terms with Colts". NFL.com. March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  7. Spadaro, Dave (March 12, 2015). "RB Ryan Mathews Signs Three-Year Deal". Philadelphiaeagles.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  8. "It's Official: RB Murray Signs With Eagles". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. March 12, 2015. Archived from the original on September 2, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  9. Wesseling, Chris (March 11, 2015). "Andre Johnson announces he's signed with Colts". NFL.com. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  10. "Chiefs ink Jeremy Maclin to 5-year, $55 million deal". NFL.com.
  11. Mayer, Larry (March 11, 2015). "Bears ink free agents Royal, Rolle". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  12. Sessler, Marc. "49ers, Torrey Smith strike five-year, $40M deal". NFL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  13. Lange, Randy (March 11, 2015). "Jets Sign Unrestricted FA Guard James Carpenter". Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  14. "Bolts Add Orlando Franklin to Beef Up Offensive Line". SanDiegoChargers.com. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  15. Sessler, Marc (March 9, 2015). "Raiders to sign Rodney Hudson to 5-year, $44.5M deal". nfl.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  16. "Raiders Sign C Rodney Hudson". Raiders.com. March 11, 2015. Archived from the original on March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  17. Gantt, Darin (March 10, 2015). "Mike Iupati cashes in with $40 million deal from Cardinals". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  18. Alper, Josh (March 13, 2015). "Nick Fairley signs with Rams". Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  19. Wesseling, Chris. "Terrance Knighton set to sign with Redskins". NFL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  20. Suh signs with Dolphins, cites money as the reason Detroit Free Press, March 11, 2015
  21. Walker, James (March 11, 2015). "Ndamukong Suh signs record deal". ESPN. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  22. McClain, John. "Veteran defensive lineman Wilfork agrees to two-year deal with Texans". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  23. Rosenthal, Gregg (March 11, 2015). "Raiders pick up Curtis Lofton, Dan Williams for defense". NFL.com.
  24. Tyler Conway. "Greg Hardy to Cowboys: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction". Bleacher Report.
  25. Jones, Mike. "Brian Orakpo agrees to terms with the Titans". Washington Post. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  26. Patra, Kevin (March 20, 2015). "Indianapolis Colts agree to terms with ILB Nate Irving". NFL.com. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  27. Pedulla, Tom. Antonio Cromartie is reunited with Darelle Revis on the Jets. The New York Times. March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  28. Rosenthal, Gregg. "Byron Maxwell to join Eagles on six-year, $60M deal". NFL.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  29. Martin, Kimberley (March 10, 2015). "Darrelle Revis to return to Jets, who also add cornerback Buster Skrine". Newsday. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  30. Gribble, Andrew (March 16, 2015). "Browns sign DB Tramon Williams". Cleveland Browns. Archived from the original on March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  31. "Dallas Cowboys franchise tag Dez Bryant". National Football League. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  32. "Broncos franchise tag Demaryius Thomas". National Football League. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  33. "Kansas City Chiefs franchise tag Justin Houston". National Football League. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  34. "Jason Pierre-Paul gets New York Giants' franchise tag". National Football League. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  35. Brown, Chris. "Bills land TE Charles Clay". BuffaloBills.com. Buffalo Bills. Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  36. Schalter, Ty (March 20, 2015). "Why Has the NFL Finally Started Embracing the Art of Trading Players?". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on August 21, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  37. Wesseling, Chris (March 3, 2015). "Eagles, Bills to swap LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  38. "Trade Terms For Bradford-Foles Deal Finalized". Turf Show Times. SB Nation. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  39. "Seahawks land star TE Jimmy Graham in trade with Saints". Foxsports.com. AP. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  40. Rothstein, Michael (May 4, 2015). "Ravens trade NT Haloti Ngata". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  41. "2014 NFL Draft Notes" (PDF). National Football League. May 6, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  42. Schefter, Adam (October 2, 2014). "Chicago will host 2015 NFL draft". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  43. Myers, Gary (July 17, 2014). "2015 NFL draft will not be at Radio City Music Hall, headed to either Los Angeles or Chicago". Daily News (New York). Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  44. Fischer, Bryan. "New, fan-friendly events planned for 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago". NFL.com. NFL Productions LLC. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  45. ABC News (April 30, 2015). "NFL Draft Day: Jameis Winston Goes to Tampa Bay Buccaneers as No. 1 NFL Draft Pick". ABC News. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  46. Lewis, Josh (May 13, 2015). "R Bill Leavy retires after 20 seasons". footballzebras.com. Football Zebras. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  47. Schultz, Mark (May 13, 2015). "LJ John Hussey moves to the referee position". footballzebras.com. Football Zebras. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  48. Orr, Conor (April 8, 2015). "NFL makes Sarah Thomas first full-time female official". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  49. Austro, Ben (April 8, 2015). "9 officials hired by the NFL with only 4 vacancies". footballzebras.com. Football Zebras. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  50. NFL owners vote to allow a medical timeout. ESPN.com. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  51. "NFL rewrites Dez Bryant rule and it might actually be more confusing". CBSsports.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  52. "NFL to change extra points to longer distance in 2015". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. May 19, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  53. Mather, Victor (September 10, 2015). "N.F.L. Team Scoring Just 1 Point? Now It's Possible". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  54. Kilgore, Adam (July 27, 2015). "NFL's post-DeflateGate rule changes undermine league's punishment of Tom Brady". washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  55. "2015 Pro Football Deaths". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  56. "2015 Pro Football Deaths". Oldest Living Pro Football Players. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  57. Goldstein, Richard; Weber, Bruce (August 9, 2015). "Frank Gifford, Star for Giants and in the Broadcast Booth, Dies at 84". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  58. "Frank Gifford". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  59. Fitzpatrick, Frank (March 22, 2015). "Eagles Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik dies". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 2, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  60. "Chuck Bednarik". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  61. Farmer, Sam (July 9, 2015). "Ken Stabler dies at 69; elusive Raiders quarterback known as 'The Snake'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  62. "Ken Stabler". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  63. "Ed Sabol, 1916-2015". ProFootballHOF.com. Pro Football Hall of Fame. February 9, 2015. Archived from the original on September 18, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  64. Birkett, Dave (July 3, 2015). "Lions legend Charlie Sanders dies at 68". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  65. "Charlie Sanders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  66. Jackson, Barry (May 16, 2015). "Miami Dolphins legendary kicker Garo Yepremian dies at 70". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  67. "Garo Yepremian". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  68. Branch, Eric (April 20, 2015). "Bob St. Clair, Hall of Fame 49ers lineman, dies at 84". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 14, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  69. "Bob St. Clair, 1931-2015". April 20, 2015. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  70. "Bob St. Clair". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  71. Sessler, Marc. "Steelers, Vikings to square off in Hall of Fame Game". NFL.com. NFL. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  72. "Scheduling Formula". NFL Record & Fact Book 2015. NFL. July 29, 2014. p. 16. ISBN 978-1618933942.
  73. "NFL announces 2015 International Series lineup". NFL.com. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  74. "Bills-Jaguars game to kick off early". ESPN.com. January 11, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  75. "Week 11 Flex Scheduling - November 22 Bengals-Cardinals Game Moves to NBC Sunday Night Football". NFL Communications. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  76. "Week 13 Flex Scheduling: Panthers-Saints Moves To 4:25 PM ET On FOX". NFL Communications. November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  77. "Week 14 Flex Scheduling: Patriots-Texans Moves To NBC's Sunday Night Football On December 13". NFL Communications. November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  78. "Week 15 (December 20) Flex Scheduling: Cardinals-Eagles Moves To NBC Sunday Night Football". NFL Communications. December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  79. "Week 16 (December 27) Flex Scheduling Note: Sunday Night Football Matchup Contingent on Tonight's New York Giants-Miami Dolphins Game". NFL Communications. December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  80. "Week 17 Flex Schedule: Minnesota at Green Bay to be NBC Sunday Night Football Game on January 3". NFL Communications. December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  81. Farmer, Sam (May 11, 2015). "Tom Brady suspended four games, Patriots lose draft picks for Deflategate". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  82. "New York Southern District Court Case No. 1:15-cv-05916 National Football League Management Council v. National Football League Players Association". Plainsite.org. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  83. Hohler, Bob (September 3, 2015). "Judge voids Brady's four-game suspension". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  84. Reyes, Lorenzo; Axon, Rachel (September 3, 2015). "NFL files an appeal of Deflategate decision that erased Tom Brady suspension". USA Today. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  85. Volin, Ben (September 16, 2015). "NFL allows Patriots to reinstate suspended employees". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  86. Branch, Eric (March 10, 2015). "Patrick Willis: Decision to retire was about his health and heart". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 12, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  87. Fainaru, Steve; Fainaru-Wada, Mark (August 21, 2015). "Why former 49er Chris Borland is the most dangerous man in football". ESPN The Magazine. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  88. Branch, Eric (June 5, 2015). "49ers starting tackle Anthony Davis quits after 1st concussion". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  89. Bouchette, Ed (March 11, 2015). "Worilds gives up football for faith". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on April 8, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  90. Wyatt, Jim (March 10, 2015). "Jake Locker retiring from NFL". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  91. Latzman, Phil (August 22, 2015). "Meet Jen 'Dr. J' Welter, The NFL's First Female Coach". Only a Game with Bill Littlefield (blog). WBUR-FM. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  92. Bieler, Des (September 2, 2015). "Jen Welter is no longer an NFL coach after her Cardinals internship ended". Early Lead (blog). The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  93. Wilson, Ryan (August 6, 2012). "Shannon Eastin will be first woman to work NFL officiating crew". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  94. Fox, Ashley (April 17, 2015). "Meet Sarah Thomas, NFL's first female official". ESPN.com. ESPN. Archived from the original on August 19, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  95. Alper, Josh (October 15, 2015). "NFL confirms suspension of side judge Rob Vernatchi". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  96. Joseph, Andrew (December 1, 2015). "NFL demotes Cardinals-49ers officials for next game". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  97. Gantt, Darin (November 8, 2015). "Report: No suspension of officials for Jags-Ravens screwup". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
  98. "26 Players Start Season on the Suspension List". The New York Times. AP. September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  99. Grossi, Tony (March 30, 2015). "Browns' Textgate fallout: Four-game suspension for GM Ray Farmer, fine for Browns, and no loss of draft pick". ESPNCleveland.com. ESPN. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  100. "Statement by NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent on Atlanta Falcons Matter" (PDF). National Football League. March 30, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  101. Thele, Kyle (April 30, 2015). "Falcons fire Roddy White for crowd noise fiasco... Not that Roddy White". Atlanta Sun Times. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  102. Akopyan, Manouk (August 2, 2015). "Buffalo Bills suspend Aaron Kromer six games". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  103. Patra, Kevin (July 13, 2015). "Bills' Aaron Kromer arrested for assault and battery". Around the League (blog). NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  104. Rodak, Mike (July 31, 2015). "Charges against Bills assistant coach Aaron Kromer, son dropped". ESPN. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  105. Cabot, Mary Kay (September 7, 2015). "Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller suspended indefinitely". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  106. MacDonal, Evan (September 23, 2015). "Cleveland Browns assistant coach Andy Moeller will not be charged after woman accused him of assault". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  107. Sessler, Marc (September 29, 2015). "Browns part ways with O-line coach Andy Moeller". nfl.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  108. Wilner, Barry (September 11, 2015). "Tom Brady throws 4 TDs as Patriots beat Steelers". AP Sports. BCSN. Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  109. "Mariota outplays Winston". New York Times. September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  110. Chase, Chris (September 13, 2015). "11 titanic facts about Marcus Mariota's magical NFL debut". USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  111. Wolfe, Cameron; Jhabvala, Nicki (September 13, 2015). "Broncos' bests/worsts vs. Ravens: Brandon McManus and C.J. Anderson". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  112. "Broncos complete stunning comeback, beat Chiefs 31–24". Associated Press. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  113. Renck, Troy (September 17, 2015). "Peyton Manning, Broncos steal win from Chiefs late in Kansas City". The Denver Post. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  114. Chase, Chris (September 20, 2015). "The New York Giants had another historic meltdown". USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  115. "Mariota Sets Two-Game Mark for TD Passes". titansonline.com. September 20, 2015. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  116. "NFL Career Passing Touchdowns Leaders". www.pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  117. "NFL Career Passes Completed Leaders". www.pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  118. "Marcus Mariota sets record for TDs in first three games". espn.com. September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  119. "Falcons become first team in NFL history to accomplish impressive feat". foxsports.com. September 27, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  120. "Adam Vinatieri's field goals leads Colts past Jaguars in OT". espn.go.com. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  121. "Colts Set NFL Record, Neutralize J.J. Watt". colts.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  122. "NFL: Palmer throws 3 TDs to help Cardinals dominate Lions 42–17". stlrib.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  123. "Essentials from Sunday: Extending the NFL streaks". scout.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  124. "NFL Career Receiving Touchdowns Leaders". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  125. "Peyton Manning breaks combined NFL passing yards record". Blogs.denverpost.com. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  126. "Rodgers becomes fastest quarterback to 30,000 yards in NFL history". FOX Sports. October 18, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  127. "The Week That Was - Week 7". Nflcommunications.com. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  128. "Dolphins' Ryan Tannehill sets NFL record with 25 straight completions". cbssports.com. October 25, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  129. "Eli Manning becomes first QB in NFL history to lose a game with this stat line". foxsports.com. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  130. "Most games 500+ passing yards, career". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  131. "Watch Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos [11/01/2015". NFL.com. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  132. "The Week That Was - Week 8". Nflcommunications.com. November 28, 2004. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  133. "The Week That Was - Week 9". Nflcommunications.com. October 10, 2004. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  134. "Next Gen Stats: Bills skill-position players come alive". NFL.com.
  135. "ESPN - Elias Says: Sports Statistics - Stats from the Elias Sports Bureau - ESPN". Espn.go.com. November 9, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  136. "Watch Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos [11/15/2015". NFL.com. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  137. "ESPN - Elias Says: Sports Statistics - Stats from the Elias Sports Bureau - ESPN". Espn.go.com. November 16, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  138. "Adrian Peterson explodes for sixth-career 200-yard game in Vikings' win". FoxSports.com. November 15, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  139. "Watch New England Patriots vs. New York Giants [11/15/2015". NFL.com. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  140. Ahern, Gerry (November 15, 2015). "Lions hang on to shock Packers, end record futility at Lambeau Field". USA Today. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  141. Pells, Eddie (November 30, 2015). "Imperfect: Pats defense folds in 30–24 OT loss to Broncos". Associated Press. Denver: AP Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  142. "Stats and Facts: Browns vs. Ravens". clevelandbrowns.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  143. Wesselling, Chris (December 6, 2015). "Cam Newton bolsters MVP case in Panthers' wild win". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  144. "Week 13 What To Look For - A Look Back". nflcommunications.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  145. Hobson, Geoff (December 6, 2015). "Quick hits: Green, Dalton in select company; Rookies ride". bengals.com. Cleveland: NFL Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  146. Archer, Todd (December 8, 2015). "Jason Witten happy to share special moment with family". ESPN.com. Landover, Maryland: ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  147. "Adrian Peterson scores 100th career touchdown in first quarter". espn.go.com. December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  148. "Seven From Sunday - Week 14". Nflcommunications.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  149. Wagner-McGough, Sean (December 15, 2015). "Giants' win secures the Patriots' seventh straight AFC East title". CBSSports.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  150. "The Week That Was - Week 14". Nflcommunications.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  151. Condotta, Bob (December 15, 2015). "Seahawks' statistics continue to look better and better and better". The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  152. "Most consecutive games 3+ TD passes & no INT". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  153. "The Week That Was - Week 15". Nflcommunications.com. October 26, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  154. England, New. "Game Notes: Patriots win 12 games for sixth straight season | New England Patriots". Patriots.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  155. "Post-game notes vs. Broncos". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  156. "Seven From Sunday - Week 16". Nflcommunications.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  157. Final (December 27, 2015). "Rams vs. Seahawks - Game Recap - December 27, 2015 - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  158. "Chiefs earn playoff berth with win over Browns". NFL.com. December 27, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  159. "By the Numbers: Williams goes for 100". Steelers.com. December 28, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  160. STEVEN WINEAP Sports Writer. "NFL Recap - Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins - Dec 27, 2015 - CBSSports.com Game Recap". Cbssports.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  161. "Saints' D sets record for TD passes allowed in season". NFL.com. August 30, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  162. Tandler, Rich. "One stat puts Cousins ahead of Brady, Manning, Brees, others". CSNWashington.com. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  163. "Seahawks dominate Cardinals in statement game". nflcom. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  164. "By the Numbers: Jaw-dropping stats". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  165. Final (January 4, 2016). "Titans vs. Colts - Game Recap - January 3, 2016 - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  166. "Seven From Sunday - Week 17". Nflcommunications.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  167. "NFL Career Passing Touchdowns Leaders". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  168. "Week 17 What To Look For - A Look Back". Nflcommunications.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  169. "NFL Career Playoff Games Leaders". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  170. "Most FG's made, postseason game". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  171. Stanley, Deb (January 24, 2016). "Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning going to Super Bowl 50". ABC Denver. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  172. Schneier, Dan (January 26, 2016). "Broncos' Gary Kubiak will make NFL history in Super Bowl 50". Fox Sports. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
  173. "50 stats to know for Super Bowl 50". ESPN.
  174. "Mind-blowing stats for Super Bowl 50". NFL.
  175. "NFL Stats: Player". NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  176. "Conan O'Brien To Host NFL Honors". nflcommunications.com. NFL. January 17, 2016.
  177. "Titans QB Marcus Mariota, Broncos CB Aqib Talib & Dolphins WR-PR Jarvis Landry named AFC Players of Week 1" (PDF). NFL. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  178. "Falcons WR Julio Jones, Rams DT Aaron Donald & Rams PR-WR Tavon Austin named NFC Players of Week 1" (PDF). NFL. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  179. "Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, Jets CB Darrelle Revis & Browns PR-WR Travis Benjamin named AFC Players of Week 2" (PDF). NFL. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  180. "Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald, Cowboys LB Sean Lee & Cardinals KR-RB David Johnson named NFC Players of Week 2" (PDF). NFL. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  181. "Bengals WR A.J. Green, Bills LB Preston Brown & Colts P Pat McAfee named AFC Players of Week 3". NFL. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  182. "Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu & Eagles PR-RB Darren Sproles named NFC Players of Week 3". NFL. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
  183. "Patriots QB Tom Brady, Broncos LB DeMarcus Ware & Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski named AFC Players of Month of September". NFL. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  184. "Falcons WR Julio Jones, Panthers CB Josh Norman & Seahawks KR-PR Tyler Lockett named NFC Players of Month of September". NFL. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  185. "Chargers QB Philip Rivers, Broncos S T.J. Ward & Ravens K Justin Tucker named AFC Players of Week 4". NFL. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  186. "Saints QB Drew Brees, Panthers CB Josh Norman & Bears K Robbie Gould named NFC Players of Week 4". NFL. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  187. "Browns QB Josh McCown, Colts S Mike Adams & Bengals K Mike Nugent named AFC Players of Week 5". NFL. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  188. "Giants QB Eli Manning, Eagles DE Fletcher Cox & Buccaneers PR Bobby Rainey named NFC Players of Week 5". NFL. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  189. "Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins, Dolphins DE Cameron Wake & Steelers K Chris Boswell named AFC Players of Week 6". NFL. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  190. "Lions WR Calvin Johnson, Panthers DT Kawann Short & Saints LB Michael Mauti named NFC Players of Week 6". NFL. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  191. "Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill, Jaguars LB Telvin Smith & Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski named AFC Players of Week 7". NFL. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  192. "Redskins QB Kirk Cousins, Seahawks DE Michael Bennett & Giants KR Dwayne Harris named NFC Players of Week 7". NFL. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  193. "Bengals QB Andy Dalton, Raiders S Charles Woodson & Broncos K Brandon McManus named AFC Players of Month of October". NFL. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  194. "Falcons RB Devonta Freeman, Panthers DT Kawann Short & Rams P Johnny Hekker named NFC Players of Month of October". NFL. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  195. "Patriots QB Tom Brady, Broncos DE Derek Wolfe & Ravens K Justin Tucker named AFC Players of Week 8". NFL. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  196. "Saints QB Drew Brees, Buccaneers LB Kwon Alexander & Vikings PR Marcus Sherels named NFC Players of Week 8". NFL. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  197. "AFC Players of the Week - Week 9". NFL. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  198. "NFC Players of the Week - Week 9". NFL. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  199. "Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, Bills S Baccari Rambo & Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski name AFC Players of Week 10". NFL. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  200. "Redskins QB Kirk Cousins, Vikings CB Terence Newman & Lions KR Ameer Abdullah named NFC Players of Week 10". NFL. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  201. "Broncos QB Brock Osweiler, Texans DE J.J. Watt & Chiefs P Dustin Colquitt named AFC Players of Week 11". NFL. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  202. "Panthers QB Cam Newton, Buccaneers LB Lavonte David & Packers K Mason Crosby named NFC Players of Week 11". NFL. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  203. "Broncos RB C.J. Anderson, Bengals CB Leon Hall & Ravens S Will Hill named AFC Players of Week 12". NFL. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  204. "Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, Panthers LB Luke Kuechly & Lions P Sam Martin named NFC Players of Week 12". NFL. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  205. "Steelers WR Antonio Brown, Texans DE J.J. Watt & Colts K Adam Vinatieri named AFC Players of Month for November". NFL. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  206. "Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu & Panthers K Graham Gano named NFC Players of Month for November". NFL. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  207. "Jets WR Brandon Marshall, Chiefs S Tyvon Branch & Steelers PR/WR Antonio Brown named AFC Players of Week 13". NFL. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  208. "Panthers QB Cam Newton, Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins & Cowboys K Dan Bailey named NFC Players of Week 13". NFL. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  209. "Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, Raiders DE Khalil Mack & Jaguars PR/WR Rashad Greene named AFC Players of Week 14". NFL. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  210. "Giants QB Eli Manning, Rams DT Aaron Donald & Cardinals K Chandler Catanzaro named NFC Players of Week 14". NFL. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  211. "Cam Newton highlights Week 15 Players of the Week". NFL. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  212. "Raiders' King highlights Week 16 Players of Week". NFL. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  213. "Antonio Brown tops December's Players of the Month". NFL. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  214. "Cam Newton highlights Week 17 Players of Week". NFL. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  215. "FedEx Air and Ground Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  216. "Pepsi Next Rookie of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  217. "Castrol Edge Clutch Performer of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  218. "NFL Rookies of the Month - September" (PDF). NFL. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  219. "NFL Rookies of the Month - October". NFL. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
  220. "NFL Rookies of the Month - November". NFL. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  221. Patra, Kevin. "Atlanta Falcons fire coach Mike Smith". NFL.com. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  222. McClure, Vaughan (February 2, 2015). "Falcons to introduce Dan Quinn". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  223. Statement from Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula regarding Marrone opt-out. WBBZ-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  224. Long, Mark (January 20, 2015). Jaguars hire Marrone as assistant head coach. Associated Press. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  225. Patra, Kevin. "Buffalo Bills hire Rex Ryan as head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  226. Rosenthal, Gregg. "Chicago Bears fire Marc Trestman". NFL.com. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  227. "Ravens hire Marc Trestman as offensive coordinator". NFL.com. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  228. Sessler, Marc. "Chicago Bears hire John Fox as head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  229. Wesseling, Chris. "John Fox, Denver Broncos part ways after four years". NFL.com. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  230. Patra, Kevin. "Gary Kubiak hired as Denver Broncos head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  231. Orr, Conor. "New York Jets fire Rex Ryan, John Idzik". NFL.com. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  232. Wesseling, Chris. "New York Jets hiring Todd Bowles as head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  233. Rosenthal, Gregg. "Raiders fire Dennis Allen after two-plus seasons". NFL.com. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  234. Smith, Michael D. (January 20, 2015). "Dennis Allen joins Saints' staff". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  235. Hanzus, Dan. "Tony Sparano named Raiders' interim head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  236. "Tony Sparano new 49ers TE coach". ESPN. January 22, 2015.
  237. Orr, Conor. "Oakland Raiders hire Jack Del Rio as next head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  238. Rosenthal, Gregg. "Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers mutually part ways". NFL.com. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  239. Patra, Kevin. "Niners choose to promote Jim Tomsula to head coach". NFL.cpm. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  240. Walker, James (October 5, 2015). "Dolphins fire coach Joe Philbin after team stumbles to 1-3 start". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  241. Orr, Conor (November 3, 2015). "Tennessee Titans fire head coach Ken Whisenhunt". NFL.com. nfl.com. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  242. Rosenthal, Gregg. "Chip Kelly released by Philadelphia Eagles". NFL.com. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  243. Gartland, Dan (February 25, 2015). "Report: Jaguars expected to hire ex-Jets GM John Idzik as consultant". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  244. Hanzus, Dan. "Mike Maccagnan named new general manager of Jets". NFL.com. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  245. "Bears fire general manager Phil Emery". Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  246. Biggs, Brad; Campbell, Rich; Wiederer, Dan. "Bears hire Ryan Pace as general manager". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  247. Gowton, Brandon (January 2, 2015). "Eagles promote Howie Roseman; allow Chip Kelly to run player personnel department". BleedingGreenNation.com. Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  248. Orr, Conor. "Lions fire GM Martin Mayhew, president Tom Lewand". nfl.com. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  249. "Chip Kelly released by Philadelphia Eagles". NFL.com. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  250. Wyatt, Jim (June 25, 2015). "Titans' stadium LP Field to be renamed Nissan Stadium". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on June 24, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  251. Katzowitz, Josh (May 9, 2013). "Vikings will spend 2014, 2015 seasons at TCF Bank Stadium". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  252. Olson, Rochelle (July 21, 2015). "Vikings stadium construction entering critical phase, transitioning for fall, winter". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  253. Olson, Rochelle (August 27, 2015). "1 worker dead, 1 injured in fall from roof at Vikings stadium". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  254. "Texans decide to cut the grass, install artificial turf | ProFootballTalk". Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. September 18, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  255. "Roger Goodell floats San Francisco 49ers' Levi's Stadium as Oakland Raiders option". Espn.go.com. July 17, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  256. Josh Baugh and Tom Orsborn (July 29, 2014). "Raiders look at potential home deep in heart of Texas". SFGate. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  257. "Houston Texans owner Bob McNair won't judge Oakland Raiders San Antonio buzz". Espn.go.com. July 30, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  258. "New stadium deal for Raiders gives team land, pays off debt". San Francisco Chronicle. September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  259. Mark Davis, San Antonio group meet. Associated Press via ESPN.com. Retrieved November 8, 2014.
  260. "San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders have joint stadium plan near Los Angeles". Espn.go.com. February 20, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  261. Florio, Mike (February 20, 2015). "If". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  262. Garrick, David (October 23, 2015). "Chargers plan to file L.A. relocation papers". San Diego Union-Tribune. The San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  263. Wagoner, Nick (February 1, 2014). "Stan Kroenke buys 60 acres in L.A." ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  264. Piper, Brandie (January 31, 2014). "Report: Rams owner bought 60 acres of land in Calif". ksdk.com. Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  265. "Owner of St. Louis Rams plans to build NFL stadium in Inglewood". Latimes.com. January 5, 2015. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  266. "AEG shuts down plans to build downtown Farmers Field for NFL team". Los Angeles Daily News. March 9, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  267. Cole, Jason (March 29, 2012). Sources: Downtown Los Angeles Stadium proposal in trouble because of AEG’s terms to NFL. Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  268. "NFL goes gold, adding it to team logos, to celebrate Super Bowl 50". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  269. Muret, Don (September 22, 2015). "Raiders Refusing To Put On-Field Gold Marks At 50-Yard Line". Sports Business Daily. Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  270. Jimmy, Durkin (September 23, 2015). "Raiders owner Mark Davis disputes reports about Super Bowl paint". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  271. Silverstein, Tom (July 28, 2015). "Packers unveil retro uniforms to be worn vs. Chargers". jsonline.com. Journal Sentinel, Inc. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  272. Kania, Joe (October 30, 2015). "Splash of Color for Thursday Night Teams". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  273. Edholm, Eric (November 12, 2015). "Color-blind people driven nuts watching red Bills, green Jets uniforms". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  274. Shook, Nick (April 14, 2015). "Cleveland Browns unveil new uniforms". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  275. Patra, Kevin (February 24, 2015). "Cleveland Browns unveil new logos". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  276. Gutierrez, Paul (May 1, 2015). "49ers unveil black and red alternate uniforms". ESPN. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  277. "2015 Kickoff Information Guide" (PDF). National Football League. July 27, 2015. p. 73. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  278. Bell, Demetrious (November 19, 2014). "Tennessee Titans will be going back to navy as primary home uniform". sportslogos.net. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  279. Silverstein, Tom (July 28, 2015). "Packers unveil retro uniforms to be worn vs. Chargers". Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  280. "Miami Dolphins' throwback uniforms to honor team's first year". Miami Herald. July 29, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  281. "Ravens unveil some plans for 20th season". Baltimore Sun. April 23, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  282. Edholm, Eric (December 20, 2015). "Did Ravens rob rival Steelers' closets for this week's pants?". sports.yahoo.com. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  283. "Bucs will wear 40th anniversary patch". bucsnation.com. May 14, 2015. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  284. "Source confirms the Oakland Raiders are switching to the Nike Elite 51 template this season". twitter.com. June 22, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  285. "Slight adjustment to the Patriots' jerseys in 2015". 247sports.com. May 25, 2015. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  286. "Giants to honor Frank Gifford, Ann Mara on uniforms this season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  287. King, Peter (October 6, 2014). Quietly, every franchise in the NFL just improved its bottom line by $24.2 million a year, without any effort whatsoever. Archived March 30, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Monday Morning Quarterback. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  288. Breech, John (August 10, 2015). "NFL Sunday Ticket available to more viewers without DirecTV subscription". CBSSports.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  289. Boren, Cindy. "NFL wild-card game will be simulcast by ESPN on ABC". Washington Post. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  290. "'NFL Kickoff' moving from FS1 to Fox". Sports Business Daily. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  291. "NFL Targets Massive Payday in Thursday Night TV Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  292. "NFL to suspend TV blackout policy". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  293. "Yahoo will stream an NFL game for the entire world this October". The Verge. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  294. Bills, Jaguars to make history as part of free live webcast Archived June 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. The Buffalo News (June 4, 2015). Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  295. "N.F.L. Will Stream Game From London Next Season". The New York Times. March 23, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  296. Gerry Smith, Brian Womack (October 23, 2015). "Yahoo's $17 Million Bet on NFL Streaming Gets Tested Sunday". Bloomberg. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
  297. Wagner, Kurt (September 17, 2015). "Snapchat Inks NFL Deal to Bring Football Into Its Live Stories". Vox.com. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  298. "NFL TV Ratings 2018: Numbers For Every Game - Page 2 of 5". SportsMediaWatch.com. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  299. "NFL TV Ratings 2018: Numbers For Every Game - Page 2 of 5". SportsMediaWatch.com. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.