2015 NFL season

• 1. The Gold Standard Season

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  The 2015 NFL season marked the league's 96th year of operation and its 50th Super Bowl era. To celebrate this milestone, the league introduced a gold-plated logo and various gold-themed promotions throughout the year. The season began on Thursday, the 10th of September 2015, with the defending champion New England Patriots defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the annual kickoff game. It concluded with Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, the 7th of February 2016, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers 24, 10 to claim the championship. During the off-season following the 2015 campaign, three teams announced intentions to relocate back to Los Angeles: the Oakland Raiders, the St. Louis Rams, and the San Diego Chargers. League owners approved only the Rams' move by a vote of 30, 2 on the 12th of January 2016, making 2015 their final season in St. Louis.

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• 2. Free Agency And Player Movement

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  The 2015 NFL League Year officially began on Tuesday, the 10th of March 2015, at 4:00 p.m. ET. A total of 453 players were eligible for some form of free agency at the start of the period. Clubs started contacting certified agents of unrestricted free agents on Saturday, March 7, and exercised options for 2015 contracts on March 10. The salary cap increased to $143.28 million per team from $133 million in 2014. Notable moves included running backs Frank Gore moving from San Francisco to Indianapolis and Chris Johnson going from New York Jets to Arizona. Quarterbacks Brian Hoyer went from Cleveland to Houston while Josh McCown moved from Tampa Bay to Cleveland. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe switched from Kansas City to Cleveland and Michael Crabtree joined Andre Johnson in Houston. Tight end Jordan Cameron left Cleveland for Miami and Charles Clay signed a five-year, $38M contract with the Buffalo Bills after the Dolphins declined to match an offer. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh signed with the Miami Dolphins citing money as the reason for leaving Detroit.

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• 3. Draft Town In Chicago

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  The 2015 NFL draft took place April 30 through the 2nd of May 2015, in Chicago. This was the first time since 1965 that the event was held outside New York. Auditorium Theatre served as the official site for the indoor portion of the draft. For the first time ever, the league added an outdoor component called Draft Town where fans could view the Commissioner on stage from across the street in Grant Park. The NFL Scouting Combine had been held earlier in Indianapolis from the 17th of February 23 to evaluate draft-eligible players. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Florida State University quarterback Jameis Winston as the first overall pick. New officials were also introduced including line judge John Hussey who was promoted to referee after Bill Leavy retired at season's end. Sarah Thomas became the first full-time female official in NFL history working as a line judge alongside Walt Coleman IV who served as side judge.

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• 4. Rule Changes And Safety Protocols

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  Owners approved new regulations at their the 25th of March 2015 meeting regarding player safety and replay reviews. A certified medical trainer could now call a medical timeout when a player appeared disoriented or concussed without charging it to the team. The definition of a defenseless receiver expanded to include intended receivers in the air during and after an interception. Offensive backs chopping defenders engaged above the waist by another offensive player would now face a 15-yard penalty. Pushing teammates at the scrimmage line during punts or field goals became illegal. The process rule for making a catch while going to the ground adjusted so a receiver needed only to clearly establish themselves as a runner before falling. Extra point rules changed significantly with the line of scrimmage moving to the 15-yard line from the two-yard line starting the 19th of May 2015. Defenses gained the ability to return turnovers on two-point tries or blocked kicks for two points mirroring NCAA rules adopted in 1988. Game ball protocols increased testing and oversight following the Deflategate scandal with officials measuring PSI of 24 footballs at random games during halftime.

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• 5. Deaths And Hall Of Fame Inductions

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  Several legendary figures associated with the NFL passed away during 2015 including Frank Gifford who died August 9 just shy of his 85th birthday. Gifford played 12 years with the New York Giants in the 1950s and 1960s earning four All-Pro selections and eight Pro Bowl appearances. He transitioned to broadcasting joining ABC's Monday Night Football in its second season serving as play-by-play announcer for 27 seasons. Chuck Bednarik died March 31 at age 89 having been the first player selected in the 1949 draft playing linebacker and center for Philadelphia Eagles for fourteen seasons. Ken Stabler died July 8 at age 69 after a fifteen-year career as quarterback for Oakland Raiders Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints leading the Raiders to Super Bowl XI victory. Ed Sabol founded NFL Films in 1962 pioneering documentary style coverage that drove huge surge in league popularity before dying February 9 at age 98. Charlie Sanders died July 2 at age 68 playing tight end for Detroit Lions ten seasons while Garo Yepremian died May 15 at age 70 winning two Super Bowls as placekicker for Miami Dolphins.

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• 6. Records And Milestones

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  Tom Brady became the quarterback with most regular season wins for a single franchise reaching 161 victories breaking Brett Favre's record during Week 1. Marcus Mariota achieved a perfect 158.3 passer rating in his NFL debut becoming youngest quarterback ever to do so at 21 years 318 days old. Peyton Manning reached 70,000 regular season passing yards joining Brett Favre in Week 2 while also surpassing him as all-time leader in combined regular and postseason passing yards by Week 5. Drew Brees threw four touchdown passes in multiple games setting records for consecutive seasons with at least 4,500 passing yards reaching six such seasons total. Antonio Brown set new records for receptions over three consecutive seasons totaling 355 catches breaking Marvin Harrison's mark of 354 from 2000, 02. Russell Wilson became first quarterback ever to have 4,000+ passing yards 30+ touchdowns and 500+ rushing yards in same season. Adrian Peterson tied O.J. Simpson for sixth career game with 200+ yards rushing while Cam Newton became first player to rush for 100+ yards and pass for 300+ yards with five touchdowns in one game.

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• 7. Playoffs And Championship Game

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  The 2015 playoffs opened with Wild Card round on weekend of January 9 and 10, 2016 before Divisional rounds followed January 16 and 17 Conference championships held January 24. Super Bowl 50 decided the champion played the 7th of February 2016 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara California. Instead of Roman numeral L this game used Arabic numeral 50 due to design challenges creating suitable logo. Denver Broncos defeated Carolina Panthers 24, 10 marking fourth appearance in eight Super Bowls for franchise joining Dallas Cowboys New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Gary Kubiak became first person to reach Super Bowl as both player and head coach with same franchise having been John Elway's backup from 1983 to 1991 playing in Super Bowl XXI and XXIV. This was first Super Bowl where both starting quarterbacks were number one overall picks: Peyton Manning selected first in 1998 draft and Cam Newton chosen first in 2011 draft. Manning at age 39 became oldest quarterback ever to start a Super Bowl surpassing John Elway who started Super Bowl XXXIII at 38.

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