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Only the NFL could create a spectacle out of announcing a schedule that won't matter for another five months. But the seemingly inane makes perfect sense when demand outstrips supply. And in the league where there truly is no offseason, everything is a primetime event worthy of the national spotlight.

The 2016 NFL schedule -- in all its 256-game glory -- is no different. There's everything form the intriguing games, the holiday specials, the best games from one week to the next and, of course, the Thursday night lineup, which has gone from midweek afterthought to a nationally televised affair.

Here's the Thursday night slate of games (all times Eastern Time):

"Thursday Night Football" returns to CBS for part of the 2016 and 2017 seasons, with the NFL adding NBC as a television partner for the series beginning this season. Both networks will broadcast five games and those games will also to be simulcast on the NFL Network.

'TNF' on Twitter

For the first time ever, Twitter will stream "Thursday Night Football" games, starting with Jets-Bills in Week 2.

If you want to stream the game, just go to tnf.twitter.com.

While some viewers have experienced slight delays -- only about 35-45 seconds at most (a play or two) -- and others have experienced buffering issues (not really Twitter's fault), it's been considered a success.

Here's the NFL-Twitter "Thursday Night Football" schedule, including this week's game:

  • Week 2, Sept. 15: Jets 37, Bills 31 (recap)
  • Week 3, Sept. 22: Patriots 27, Texans 0 (recap)
  • Week 5, Oct. 6: Cardinals 33, 49ers 21 (recap)
  • Week 6, Oct. 13: Chargers 21, Broncos (recap)
  • Week 7, Oct. 20: Packers 26, Bears 10 (recap)
  • Week 11, Nov. 17: Panthers 23, Saints 20 (recap)
  • Week 13, Dec. 1: Cowboys 17, Vikings 15 (recap)
  • Week 14, Dec. 8: Chiefs 21, Raiders 13 (recap)
  • Week 15, Dec. 15: Seahawks 23, Rams 3 (recap)
  • Week 16, Dec. 22: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

The return of Color Rush jerseys

Thursday football will also feature the return of the NFL's Color Rush jerseys, which each of the 32 teams will be wearing during Thursday games.