The 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots, a direct rematch of Super Bowl LX. That’s right, the league is opening with a revenge game.
The full 18-week, 272-game regular season runs through January 10, 2027, and features a record-breaking nine international games, a brand-new Thanksgiving Eve slot, and enough prime-time drama to keep your DVR working overtime.
I’ve been covering NFL schedules for over a decade now, and this one stands out. Between the global expansion, the championship rematches baked into the slate, and some absolutely brutal late-season divisional showdowns, the 2026 campaign has “instant classic” written all over it.
Here’s how the entire season breaks down, week by week, game by game.
NFL 2026 Season Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Season | NFL 2026 Regular Season |
| Opening Game | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| Regular Season Finale | January 9–10, 2027 |
| Super Bowl LXI | February 14, 2027 – SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Total Teams | 32 |
| Total Games | 272 |
| Broadcast Partners | NBC, CBS, FOX, ESPN/ABC, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, NFL Network |
| Defending Champions | Seattle Seahawks |
| International Games | 9 (record) |
| Playoff Format | 14 Teams (7 per conference) |
| Regular Season Weeks | 18 Weeks, 17 games per team |
The schedule was officially released on May 14, 2026, powered by Amazon Web Services. For the first time since 2012, the season opener falls on a Wednesday, and the league added a Thanksgiving Eve game to the calendar. More on both of those in a moment.
NFL 2026 Opening Week Schedule
Week 1 stretches from Wednesday through Monday, giving fans five straight days of football right out of the gate. The headliners:
| Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks | Wed, Sept. 9 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne) | Thu, Sept. 10 | 8:35 PM | Netflix |
| Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants | Sun, Sept. 13 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | Mon, Sept. 14 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/A |
The Patriots-Seahawks opener doubles as a Super Bowl LX rematch. Netflix gets the second prime-time slot with the 49ers and Rams meeting in Melbourne, Australia, the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game down under. Then Sunday Night Football delivers the NFC East rivalry between Dallas and New York, and Monday wraps with Denver visiting Kansas City in what should be a rowdy Arrowhead atmosphere.
Complete NFL 2026 Schedule
Here is the official week-by-week schedule for NFL 2026.
Week 1 (Sept. 9–14)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks | Wed, Sept. 9 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne) | Thu, Sept. 10 | 8:35 PM | Netflix |
| Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers | Sun, Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals | Sun, Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions | Sun, Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans | Sun, Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts | Sun, Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars | Sun, Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers | Sun, Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New York Jets at Tennessee Titans | Sun, Sept. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers | Sun, Sept. 13 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Sept. 13 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings | Sun, Sept. 13 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles | Sun, Sept. 13 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants | Sun, Sept. 13 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | Mon, Sept. 14 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
Biggest Storyline of Week 1
The Super Bowl LX rematch steals the spotlight. Seattle earned the Lombardi last February, and New England wants payback under the brightest possible lights. But don’t sleep on the Melbourne game, the 49ers and Rams renewing their NFC West rivalry at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is the kind of spectacle the league has been building toward for years. The NFC West could be decided by tiebreakers again, and these early head-to-head results matter.
Week 2 (Sept. 17–21)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills | Thu, Sept. 17 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons | Sun, Sept. 20 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens | Sun, Sept. 20 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears | Sun, Sept. 20 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans | Sun, Sept. 20 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots | Sun, Sept. 20 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Green Bay Packers at New York Jets | Sun, Sept. 20 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sun, Sept. 20 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans | Sun, Sept. 20 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos | Sun, Sept. 20 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers | Sun, Sept. 20 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals | Sun, Sept. 20 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys | Sun, Sept. 20 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers | Sun, Sept. 20 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs | Sun, Sept. 20 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams | Mon, Sept. 21 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
What NFL Fans Should Watch
Detroit at Buffalo on Thursday Night is a heavyweight clash, two teams with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. The Lions’ offense against the Bills’ defense is appointment television.
Kansas City hosting Indy on Sunday Night should reveal early-season pecking order in the AFC. Fantasy managers, take note: the Bengals-Texans matchup is a points bonanza waiting to happen.
Week 3 (Sept. 24–28)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers | Thu, Sept. 24 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New York Jets at Detroit Lions | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Tennessee Titans at New York Giants | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders | Sun, Sept. 27 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers | Sun, Sept. 27 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sun, Sept. 27 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys (Rio de Janeiro) | Sun, Sept. 27 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints | Sun, Sept. 27 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos | Sun, Sept. 27 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears | Mon, Sept. 28 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
The Ravens and Cowboys head to Rio de Janeiro for the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Brazil. That alone makes Week 3 special. Bengals at Steelers is always a physical AFC North showdown, and the Eagles visiting Chicago on Monday Night could be an early statement game for both squads.
Week 4 (Oct. 1–5)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns | Thu, Oct. 1 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders (Tottenham) | Sun, Oct. 4 | 9:30 AM | NFLN |
| Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens | Sun, Oct. 4 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills | Sun, Oct. 4 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New York Jets at Chicago Bears | Sun, Oct. 4 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals | Sun, Oct. 4 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans | Sun, Oct. 4 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants | Sun, Oct. 4 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles | Sun, Oct. 4 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sun, Oct. 4 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings | Sun, Oct. 4 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Oct. 4 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks | Sun, Oct. 4 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers | Sun, Oct. 4 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers | Sun, Oct. 4 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints | Mon, Oct. 5 | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
London gets its first game of the season with the Colts and Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The AFC North rivalry continues with Steelers-Browns on Thursday Night. New England at Buffalo is always a dogfight, and this year’s version carries even more weight with the Patriots coming off a Super Bowl appearance.
Week 5 (Oct. 8–12)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys | Thu, Oct. 8 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Tottenham) | Sun, Oct. 11 | 9:30 AM | NFLN |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins | Sun, Oct. 11 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots | Sun, Oct. 11 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints | Sun, Oct. 11 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Cleveland Browns at New York Jets | Sun, Oct. 11 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers | Sun, Oct. 11 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans | Sun, Oct. 11 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New York Giants at Washington Commanders | Sun, Oct. 11 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers | Sun, Oct. 11 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals | Sun, Oct. 11 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers | Sun, Oct. 11 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | Sun, Oct. 11 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons | Sun, Oct. 11 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams | Mon, Oct. 12 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
Key Matchup
The 49ers visiting Seattle in a late-afternoon NFC West showdown could have major playoff seeding implications down the line. London hosts its second game with the Eagles taking on Jacksonville at Tottenham. Bears-Packers is always circled on every NFC North calendar, no matter the records.
Week 6 (Oct. 15–19)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos | Thu, Oct. 15 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley) | Sun, Oct. 18 | 9:30 AM | NFLN |
| Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons | Sun, Oct. 18 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns | Sun, Oct. 18 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts | Sun, Oct. 18 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New York Jets at New England Patriots | Sun, Oct. 18 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New Orleans Saints at New York Giants | Sun, Oct. 18 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles | Sun, Oct. 18 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sun, Oct. 18 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams | Sun, Oct. 18 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs | Sun, Oct. 18 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Oct. 18 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers | Sun, Oct. 18 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers | Mon, Oct. 19 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
Wembley Stadium hosts the AFC South rivalry between Houston and Jacksonville. Dallas at Green Bay on Sunday Night Football? That’s an NFC heavyweight bout under the Lambeau lights in October. Cold weather, big stakes, massive TV audience.
Week 7 (Oct. 22–26)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots at Chicago Bears | Thu, Oct. 22 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints (Paris) | Sun, Oct. 25 | 9:30 AM | NFLN |
| San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons | Sun, Oct. 25 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens | Sun, Oct. 25 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers | Sun, Oct. 25 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New York Giants at Houston Texans | Sun, Oct. 25 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings | Sun, Oct. 25 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Miami Dolphins at New York Jets | Sun, Oct. 25 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans | Sun, Oct. 25 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals | Sun, Oct. 25 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions | Sun, Oct. 25 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Los Angeles Rams at Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Oct. 25 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks | Sun, Oct. 25 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles | Mon, Oct. 26 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
Paris gets its first-ever NFL regular season game, Steelers vs Saints at 9:30 AM ET. The Chiefs visiting Seattle on Sunday Night is a potential Super Bowl preview. And Monday Night delivers the always-heated Cowboys-Eagles rivalry. In my view, this might be the best single week on the entire schedule.
Week 8 (Oct. 29–Nov. 2)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers | Thu, Oct. 29 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills | Sun, Nov. 1 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals | Sun, Nov. 1 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys | Sun, Nov. 1 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions | Sun, Nov. 1 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars | Sun, Nov. 1 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets | Sun, Nov. 1 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers | Sun, Nov. 1 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sun, Nov. 1 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams | Sun, Nov. 1 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos | Sun, Nov. 1 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins | Sun, Nov. 1 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders | Sun, Nov. 1 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks | Mon, Nov. 2 | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
Ravens at Bills is a potential AFC championship game preview. The LA Chargers-Rams crosstown matchup always generates buzz, and the NFC East battle between Philly and Washington gets the Sunday Night spotlight. Vikings-Lions is a pivotal NFC North clash that could determine who controls the division entering the second half.
Week 9 (Nov. 5–9)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens | Thu, Nov. 5 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons (Madrid) | Sun, Nov. 8 | 9:30 AM | NFLN |
| Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers | Sun, Nov. 8 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts | Sun, Nov. 8 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs | Sun, Nov. 8 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins | Sun, Nov. 8 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints | Sun, Nov. 8 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles | Sun, Nov. 8 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders | Sun, Nov. 8 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers | Sun, Nov. 8 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Las Vegas Raiders at San Francisco 49ers | Sun, Nov. 8 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots | Sun, Nov. 8 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks | Sun, Nov. 8 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears | Sun, Nov. 8 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings | Mon, Nov. 9 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
Madrid, Spain enters the NFL schedule for the first time with the Bengals facing the Falcons. That’s five different countries hosting games through the first nine weeks. Buffalo at Minnesota on Monday Night is a cross-conference showdown between two teams that should be firmly in the playoff picture by November.
Week 10 (Nov. 12–16)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Commanders at New York Giants | Thu, Nov. 12 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| New England Patriots vs Detroit Lions (Munich) | Sun, Nov. 15 | 9:30 AM | FOX |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons | Sun, Nov. 15 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns | Sun, Nov. 15 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers | Sun, Nov. 15 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts | Sun, Nov. 15 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints | Sun, Nov. 15 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Buffalo Bills at New York Jets | Sun, Nov. 15 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans | Sun, Nov. 15 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals | Sun, Nov. 15 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Nov. 15 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys | Sun, Nov. 15 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals | Sun, Nov. 15 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens | Mon, Nov. 16 | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
Munich hosts the Patriots and Lions, continuing the NFL’s German expansion. The 49ers at Cowboys is a legacy rivalry that always delivers, and the Steelers-Bengals AFC North battle on Sunday Night has all the ingredients for a physical, high-stakes classic.
Week 11 (Nov. 19–23)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans | Thu, Nov. 19 | 8:15 PM | AMZ |
| Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills | Sun, Nov. 22 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers | Sun, Nov. 22 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears | Sun, Nov. 22 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Tennessee Titans at Dallas Cowboys | Sun, Nov. 22 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions | Sun, Nov. 22 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs | Sun, Nov. 22 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants | Sun, Nov. 22 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New York Jets at Los Angeles Chargers | Sun, Nov. 22 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos | Sun, Nov. 22 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles | Sun, Nov. 22 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Minnesota Vikings vs San Francisco 49ers (Mexico City) | Sun, Nov. 22 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Commanders | Mon, Nov. 23 | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
The Vikings and 49ers head to Mexico City for a Sunday Night showdown, the ninth and final international game of the season. Steelers at Eagles is a cross-state rivalry that Pennsylvania fans live for. The AFC South Thursday Night clash between Indy and Houston could determine the division lead heading into the stretch run.
Week 12 (Nov. 25–30)
This is the big one. The league’s first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game headlines a holiday week that stretches five days.
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams | Wed, Nov. 25 | 8:00 PM | Netflix |
| Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions | Thu, Nov. 26 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys | Thu, Nov. 26 | 4:30 PM | FOX |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills | Thu, Nov. 26 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers | Fri, Nov. 27 | 3:00 PM | AMZ |
| New Orleans Saints at Cincinnati Bengals | Sun, Nov. 29 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns | Sun, Nov. 29 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans | Sun, Nov. 29 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts | Sun, Nov. 29 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New York Jets at Miami Dolphins | Sun, Nov. 29 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings | Sun, Nov. 29 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars | Sun, Nov. 29 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals | Sun, Nov. 29 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers | Sun, Nov. 29 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| New England Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers | Sun, Nov. 29 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Mon, Nov. 30 | 8:15 PM | ESPN* |
Thanksgiving Day Games
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys | 4:30 PM | FOX |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills | 8:20 PM | NBC |
The Thanksgiving nightcap, Chiefs at Bills, might be the game of the entire regular season. Two AFC heavyweights, prime time, turkey coma audience. Eagles-Cowboys is the rivalry that never gets old. And the Packers-Rams Thanksgiving Eve game on Netflix adds a completely new tradition to the NFL calendar.
Week 13 (Dec. 3–7)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Rams | Thu, Dec. 3 | 8:15 PM | AMZ* |
| Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons | Sun, Dec. 6 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Chicago Bears | Sun, Dec. 6 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns | Sun, Dec. 6 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints | Sun, Dec. 6 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants | Sun, Dec. 6 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sun, Dec. 6 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Washington Commanders at Tennessee Titans | Sun, Dec. 6 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals | Sun, Dec. 6 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos | Sun, Dec. 6 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings | Sun, Dec. 6 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots | Sun, Dec. 6 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers | Sun, Dec. 6 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks | Mon, Dec. 7 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC* |
December football hits different. Buffalo at New England in the late window is a cold-weather AFC East brawl with playoff implications written all over it. Houston at Pittsburgh on Sunday Night could determine wild card positioning, and Dallas visiting Seattle on Monday Night is a cross-conference grudge match.
Week 14 (Dec. 10–14)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots | Thu, Dec. 10 | 8:15 PM | AMZ* |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens | Sun, Dec. 13 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers | Sun, Dec. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Atlanta Falcons at Cleveland Browns | Sun, Dec. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions | Sun, Dec. 13 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins | Sun, Dec. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Denver Broncos at New York Jets | Sun, Dec. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles | Sun, Dec. 13 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Houston Texans at Washington Commanders | Sun, Dec. 13 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Dec. 13 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals | Sun, Dec. 13 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks | Sun, Dec. 13 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers | Sun, Dec. 13 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers | Sun, Dec. 13 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars | Mon, Dec. 14 | 8:15 PM | ESPN* |
Buffalo at Green Bay on Sunday Night Football is a marquee cross-conference showdown. Two cold-weather franchises, likely both in the playoff hunt, going at it in December at Lambeau. The Rams visiting the 49ers in a late-afternoon NFC West battle could be a de facto division championship game.
Week 15 (Dec. 17–21)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers | Thu, Dec. 17 | 8:15 PM | AMZ* |
| Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles | Sat, Dec. 19 | 5:00 PM | FOX |
| Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills | Sat, Dec. 19 | 8:20 PM | CBS |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers | Sun, Dec. 20 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers | Sun, Dec. 20 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans | Sun, Dec. 20 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Cleveland Browns at New York Giants | Sun, Dec. 20 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers | Sun, Dec. 20 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sun, Dec. 20 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans | Sun, Dec. 20 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders | Sun, Dec. 20 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals | Sun, Dec. 20 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams | Sun, Dec. 20 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Dec. 20 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings | Sun, Dec. 20 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs | Mon, Dec. 21 | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC* |
Saturday football returns with a doubleheader. Lions-Vikings on Sunday Night is a game that could clinch the NFC North. Ravens at Steelers is always a war of attrition, and in Week 15, with playoff spots on the line, expect nothing less than their best.
Week 16 (Dec. 24–28)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles | Thu, Dec. 24 | 8:15 PM | AMZ* |
| Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears | Fri, Dec. 25 | 1:00 PM | Netflix |
| Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | Fri, Dec. 25 | 4:30 PM | Netflix |
| Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks | Fri, Dec. 25 | 8:15 PM | FOX |
| TBD | Sat, Dec. 26 | 4:30 PM | NFLN |
| TBD | Sat, Dec. 26 | 8:00 PM | NFLN |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons | Date TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts | Date TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings | Date TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers | Date TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens | Sun, Dec. 27 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins | Sun, Dec. 27 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints | Sun, Dec. 27 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New England Patriots at New York Jets | Sun, Dec. 27 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Tennessee Titans at Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Dec. 27 | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs | Sun, Dec. 27 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys | Sun, Dec. 27 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| New York Giants at Detroit Lions | Mon, Dec. 28 | 8:15 PM | ESPN* |
Christmas Day Games
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears | 1:00 PM | Netflix |
| Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | 4:30 PM | Netflix |
| Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks | 8:15 PM | FOX |
Netflix gets the Christmas tripleheader, anchored by the NFL’s oldest rivalry, Packers at Bears. The Rams visiting Seattle is also a 2025 NFC Championship Game rematch. San Francisco at Kansas City in the late Sunday window screams Super Bowl preview.
Week 17 (Dec. 31–Jan. 4)
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals | Thu, Dec. 31 | 8:15 PM | AMZ* |
| TBD | Sat, Jan. 2 | 4:30 PM | NBC |
| TBD | Sat, Jan. 2 | 8:00 PM | Peacock |
| Washington Commanders at Jacksonville Jaguars | Date TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers | Date TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Denver Broncos at New England Patriots | Date TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Date TBD | TBD | TBD |
| New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons | Sun, Jan. 3 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers | Sun, Jan. 3 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns | Sun, Jan. 3 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys | Sun, Jan. 3 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins | Sun, Jan. 3 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets | Sun, Jan. 3 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans | Sun, Jan. 3 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Las Vegas Raiders at Arizona Cardinals | Sun, Jan. 3 | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears | Sun, Jan. 3 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers | Sun, Jan. 3 | 8:20 PM | NBC* |
| Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers | Mon, Jan. 4 | 8:15 PM | ESPN* |
New Year’s Eve football with Ravens-Bengals, two AFC North rivals likely fighting for playoff positioning. Denver at New England is a 2025 AFC Championship Game rematch. Eagles at 49ers on Sunday Night could be a game with the No. 1 seed on the line. The stakes don’t get much higher.
Week 18 (Jan. 9–10, 2027)
All 16 games are divisional matchups, as is NFL tradition for the regular season finale. Specific dates and times will be announced closer to the week.
| Match | Date | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens | TBD | TBD |
| New York Jets at Buffalo Bills | TBD | TBD |
| Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers | TBD | TBD |
| Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals | TBD | TBD |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos | TBD | TBD |
| Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers | TBD | TBD |
| Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans | TBD | TBD |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts | TBD | TBD |
| Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs | TBD | TBD |
| Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams | TBD | TBD |
| Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings | TBD | TBD |
| Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots | TBD | TBD |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints | TBD | TBD |
| Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants | TBD | TBD |
| Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders | TBD | TBD |
Confirmed broadcast windows
| Slot | Date | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sat, Jan. 9 | 1:00 PM | Netflix |
| Game 2 | Sat, Jan. 9 | 4:30 PM | ESPN/ABC |
| Game 3 | Sat, Jan. 9 | 8:00 PM | ESPN/ABC |
| Game 4 | Sun, Jan. 10 | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Game 5 | Sun, Jan. 10 | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| Game 6 | Sun, Jan. 10 | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| Game 7 | Sun, Jan. 10 | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| Game 8 | Sun, Jan. 10 | 8:20 PM | NBC |
Seattle at Los Angeles Rams is a 2025 NFC Championship rematch, a fitting way to close the regular season. Every game matters in Week 18, and the NFL will flex the most consequential matchups into prime windows once the playoff picture crystallizes.
Prime-Time Games to Watch in NFL 2026
Sunday Night Football once again features some of the biggest rivalries, superstar quarterbacks, and playoff rematches of the 2026 NFL season.
Sunday Night Football Highlights
| Matchup | Week | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants | 1 | NFC East rivalry on opening weekend |
| Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs | 2 | AFC contender measuring stick |
| Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos | 3 | Cross-conference clash, Rams on the road |
| Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers | 6 | October Lambeau under the lights |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks | 7 | Potential Super Bowl preview |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders | 8 | NFC East division race implications |
| Minnesota Vikings vs San Francisco 49ers (Mexico City) | 11 | International stage, NFC playoff preview |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills (Thanksgiving) | 12 | AFC’s biggest rivalry, holiday spotlight |
| Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers | 14 | December heavyweight matchup |
| Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings | 15 | NFC North title implications |
| Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers | 17 | Possible No. 1 seed showdown |
Monday Night Football Highlights
| Matchup | Week | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | 1 | AFC West opener at Arrowhead |
| Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles | 7 | NFC East rivalry, always electric |
| Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings | 9 | AFC-NFC elite crossover |
| New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs | 15 | December playoff-push game |
| Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers | 17 | AFC South champ vs NFC North contender |
Thursday Night Football Highlights (Amazon Prime Video)
| Matchup | Week | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills | 2 | Super Bowl contender showdown |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns | 4 | AFC North blood feud |
| Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans | 11 | AFC South division battle |
| Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals | 17 | New Year’s Eve AFC North clash |
NFL International Games 2026
The 2026 season features a record nine international games across four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. Three cities, Melbourne, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro, host NFL regular season games for the first time ever.
| Matchup | Week | Location | City | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams | 1 | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Melbourne, Australia | Thu, Sept. 10 |
| Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys | 3 | TBD | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Sun, Sept. 27 |
| Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders | 4 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | London, UK | Sun, Oct. 4 |
| Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars | 5 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | London, UK | Sun, Oct. 11 |
| Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars | 6 | Wembley Stadium | London, UK | Sun, Oct. 18 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints | 7 | TBD | Paris, France | Sun, Oct. 25 |
| Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons | 9 | TBD | Madrid, Spain | Sun, Nov. 8 |
| New England Patriots vs Detroit Lions | 10 | Allianz Arena | Munich, Germany | Sun, Nov. 15 |
| Minnesota Vikings vs San Francisco 49ers | 11 | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico | Sun, Nov. 22 |
Why International Games Matter
The NFL’s global footprint has never been larger. Nine games across Australia, South America, and Europe signal the league’s commitment to becoming a truly worldwide sport. For the teams involved, it means jet lag, neutral-site atmospheres, and unique preparation challenges. For the fans in those cities, it’s a chance to experience the spectacle firsthand, and that kind of exposure is how you build the next generation of football fans.
Thanksgiving NFL Games 2026
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys | 4:30 PM | FOX |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills | 8:20 PM | NBC |
The Thanksgiving slate is stacked. The Lions hosting the early game is tradition. Eagles-Cowboys is arguably the NFL’s best active rivalry. And the nightcap, Chiefs vs Bills, could be the best Thanksgiving game in years. Two legitimate Super Bowl contenders, primetime, national audience. That’s the kind of game you build an entire holiday viewing party around.
Thanksgiving Eve (New for 2026):
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams | 8:00 PM | Netflix |
The league’s first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game. Netflix streams it. Green Bay and LA kick off the holiday football weekend a full day early.
Christmas NFL Games 2026
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears | 1:00 PM | Netflix |
| Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos | 4:30 PM | Netflix |
| Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks | 8:15 PM | FOX |
Netflix once again handles Christmas Day duties with a doubleheader, plus FOX picks up the nightcap. Packers-Bears on Christmas is the league’s oldest rivalry wrapped in a holiday bow. The Rams at Seattle is a 2025 NFC Championship rematch, playoff intensity in late December.
NFL 2026 Playoff Schedule
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| Wild Card Round | January 16–18, 2027 |
| Divisional Round | January 23–24, 2027 |
| Conference Championships | Sunday, January 31, 2027 |
| Super Bowl LXI | Sunday, February 14, 202 |
Super Bowl LXI Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stadium | SoFi Stadium |
| City | Inglewood, California |
| Date | Sunday, February 14, 2027 |
| Kickoff | TBD |
Early Super Bowl Predictions
The defending champion Seahawks will have a target on their backs all season. Kansas City and Buffalo remain the AFC’s gold standard, and I’d be surprised if one of them isn’t in Inglewood come February. On the NFC side, Philadelphia, Detroit, and San Francisco all have rosters built for deep playoff runs.
Don’t sleep on the Rams either, they’ve got the championship pedigree and a schedule that sets up well for a late-season push. The road to SoFi runs through 18 weeks of chaos, and that’s exactly what makes this league impossible to predict.
Key Highlights of the NFL 2026 Schedule
- Wednesday Season Opener: For the first time since 2012, the NFL kicks off on a Wednesday, New England at Seattle, a Super Bowl LX rematch.
- Record 9 International Games: Games in Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, London (3), Paris, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City span four continents.
- Thanksgiving Eve Debut: Green Bay at the LA Rams on Netflix creates a brand-new holiday tradition on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
- 13 Super Bowl Rematches: The league intentionally loaded the schedule with championship-caliber showdowns throughout the season.
- 12 Playoff Rematches from 2025: Including both Conference Championship rematches, Denver at New England (Week 17) and Rams at Seattle (Weeks 16 and 18).
- Netflix Expansion: The streamer picks up the Thanksgiving Eve game, Christmas Day doubleheader, and Week 18 games.
- Holiday Football Overload: Week 12 spans five days, Wednesday through Monday, with Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving, and Black Friday games.
- Late-Season Division Showdowns: Week 18 features all 16 games as divisional matchups, ensuring maximum drama on the final weekend.
NFL Conferences and Divisions
The NFL features 32 teams divided into two conferences, the AFC and NFC, each containing four divisions of four teams.
American Football Conference (AFC)
| Division | Teams |
|---|---|
| AFC East | Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets |
| AFC North | Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| AFC South | Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans |
| AFC West | Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers |
National Football Conference (NFC)
| Division | Teams |
|---|---|
| NFC East | Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders |
| NFC North | Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings |
| NFC South | Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| NFC West | Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks |
How the NFL Schedule Is Made
Every team plays 17 games across 18 weeks, with one bye week. The scheduling formula breaks down as follows:
| Component | Games | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Division opponents | 6 | Home and away vs three division rivals |
| Rotating intraconference division | 4 | Full division on a 3-year cycle |
| Rotating interconference division | 4 | Full division on a 4-year cycle |
| Intraconference standings-based | 2 | Matched by prior year’s finish |
| Interconference standings-based | 1 | Matched by prior year’s finish (rotating) |
| Total | 17 |
This formula ensures competitive balance while preserving divisional rivalries. The standings-based games mean that last year’s winners face tougher schedules, the price of success.
Most Anticipated NFL Games of the 2026 Season
| Matchup | Week | Why Fans Are Excited |
|---|---|---|
| New England at Seattle | 1 | Super Bowl LX rematch, season opener |
| 49ers vs Rams (Melbourne) | 1 | First NFL game in Australia |
| Ravens vs Cowboys (Rio de Janeiro) | 3 | First NFL game in Brazil |
| Kansas City at Seattle | 7 | AFC vs NFC heavyweight Sunday Night clash |
| Dallas at Philadelphia | 7 | NFC East rivalry, Monday Night Football |
| Steelers vs Saints (Paris) | 7 | First NFL game in France |
| Chiefs at Bills (Thanksgiving) | 12 | AFC’s best rivalry, holiday stage |
| Rams at Seattle (Christmas) | 16 | NFC Championship rematch |
| Denver at New England | 17 | AFC Championship rematch |
| Eagles at 49ers | 17 | Potential top seed decider |
Suggested Reads:
Conclusion: The 2026 NFL Schedule Packs 272 Games, 9 International Showdowns, and a Historic Thanksgiving Eve Debut
The 2026 NFL schedule promises one of the most thrilling seasons in recent memory, featuring blockbuster rivalries, international expansion, and several playoff-defining matchups.
The season includes a high-profile Super Bowl rematch in Seattle, while the NFL also continues its global growth with games scheduled in Melbourne, Rio, and Paris. Additionally, fans can expect 13 Super Bowl rematches throughout the year along with a massive Thanksgiving showdown between the Chiefs and Bills. The regular season concludes dramatically with all 16 Week 18 games featuring divisional rivalries.
Furthermore, the NFC West could become the league’s most competitive division as the Seahawks, Rams, and 49ers battle repeatedly during the final weeks. With Super Bowl LXI set for SoFi Stadium, the road to the championship already looks intense and unpredictable.
