5 best weeks on the NFL’s 2026 schedule

You won’t want to miss this.

The NFL announced its full 2026 regular-season schedule on Thursday. Between nine international games, a can’t-miss holiday slate – including an inaugural Thanksgiving Eve contest – and a ton of intriguing matchups, the schedule is loaded.

But here are the best five weeks to mark on your calendar.

⭐ – Prime-time game
🍿 – 2025 playoff rematch
🦃 – Thanksgiving
🎄 – Christmas
🌎 – International game

Week 1

Notable games
Date
Time (ET)

Patriots @ Seahawks ⭐🍿
Sept. 9
8:20 p.m.

49ers @ Rams ⭐🌎
Sept. 10
8:35 p.m.

Jets @ Titans
Sept. 13
1 p.m.

Bills @ Texans
Sept. 13
1 p.m.

Dolphins @ Raiders
Sept. 13
4:25 p.m.

Cowboys @ Giants ⭐
Sept. 13
8:20 p.m.

Broncos @ Chiefs ⭐
Sept. 14
8:15 p.m.

Why we’re pumped for these:

• Super Bowl LX was a dud, but here’s hoping the sequel is better than the original.
• The NFL heads Down Under as 49ers-Rams marks the first regular-season game in Australia.
• Titans head coach Robert Saleh gets a chance at revenge in Week 1, leading his new team against the franchise that fired him two years ago.
• Joe Brady faces a tough first test as the Bills’ head coach, squaring off against the Texans’ daunting defense.
• While it’s too early to say whether Fernando Mendoza will start Week 1, Dolphins-Raiders promises a fresh quarterback matchup, with Malik Willis taking on either the No. 1 pick or Kirk Cousins.
• John Harbaugh’s debut as the Giants’ head coach comes on Sunday Night Football with a flashy test against America’s Team.
• Patrick Mahomes won’t have any time to shake off the rust, as he’s set to return for a Monday night clash against the reigning AFC West champs.

Week 7

Notable games
Date
Time (ET)

Patriots @ Bears ⭐
Oct. 22
8:15 p.m.

Steelers @ Saints 🌎
Oct. 25
9:30 a.m.

49ers @ Falcons
Oct. 25
1 p.m.

Bengals @ Ravens
Oct. 25
1 p.m.

Colts @ Vikings
Oct. 25
1 p.m.

Chiefs @ Seahawks ⭐
Oct. 25
8:20 p.m.

Cowboys @ Eagles ⭐
Oct. 26
8:15 p.m.

Why we’re pumped for these:

• Between the Patriots’ tumultuous offseason and the Bears owning the toughest strength of schedule, one of these championship hopefuls – if not both – will likely be fighting for their lives by Week 7.
• The NFL visits France for the first time as the Steelers and Saints throw down in Paris.
• Christian McCaffrey (49ers) and Bijan Robinson (Falcons) headline arguably the best running back duel on the schedule.
• Trey Hendrickson gets to run down former teammate Joe Burrow in the first Bengals-Ravens meeting of the season.
• Daniel Jones versus Kyler Murray: Two quarterbacks trying to complete a redemption arc.
• Super Bowl LX hero Kenneth Walker III heads back to Seattle, but he’ll be standing alongside three-time champion Mahomes.
• Cowboys-Eagles always delivers its fair share of storylines and drama, especially in prime time.

Week 12

Notable games
Date
Time (ET)

Packers @ Rams ⭐
Nov. 25
8 p.m.

Bears @ Lions 🦃
Nov. 26
1 p.m.

Eagles @ Cowboys 🦃
Nov. 26
4:30 p.m.

Chiefs @ Bills ⭐🦃
Nov. 26
8:20 p.m.

Broncos @ Steelers
Nov. 27
3 p.m.

Giants @ Colts
Nov. 29
1 p.m.

Patriots @ Chargers ⭐🍿
Nov. 29
8:20 p.m.

Why we’re pumped for these:

• Two brilliant offensive minds face off in the first-ever Thanksgiving Eve contest, with Matt LaFleur up against Sean McVay.
• Ben Johnson gets a chance to ruin his former team’s Thanksgiving after he failed to beat the Lions in his banner debut season as the Bears’ head coach.
• Both meetings between the Eagles and Cowboys were decided by a single possession last year. There’s no reason to think this one won’t also come down to the wire if Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts are healthy.
• Bills versus Chiefs. Josh Allen versus Mahomes. On Thanksgiving night. It doesn’t get better than this.
• Playoff teams from last season collide on Black Friday, with the Broncos traveling to Pittsburgh to get a look at Mike McCarthy’s Steelers.
• Jones gets a crack at showing his old team what it lost out on when the Colts welcome the Giants to Indianapolis.
• Justin Herbert took a drubbing in the wild-card round when the Chargers last played the Patriots. It’s time to see how much L.A. has improved since then.

Week 15

Notable games
Date
Time (ET)

49ers @ Chargers ⭐
Dec. 17
8:15 p.m.

Seahawks @ Eagles
Dec. 19
5 p.m.

Bears @ Bills ⭐
Dec. 19
8:20 p.m.

Dolphins @ Packers
Dec. 20
1 p.m.

Ravens @ Steelers
Dec. 20
1 p.m.

Lions @ Vikings ⭐
Dec. 20
8:20 p.m.

Patriots @ Chiefs ⭐
Dec. 21
8:15 p.m.

Why we’re pumped for these:

• The 49ers and Chargers, two hungry West Coast teams, will look to cement their status as contenders.
• A clash between the past two Super Bowl champions will kick off the first Saturday slate of the season.
• Offensive minds collide when Johnson leads the Bears into Buffalo against Brady and Allen.
• Willis heads back to Green Bay in hopes of showing up his former team.
• The Ravens can exorcise their demons following Tyler Loop’s missed field goal that ended their season and vaulted the Steelers into the playoffs.
• Dan Campbell and Co. have payback on their minds after the Vikings spoiled the Lions’ Christmas celebrations in lopsided fashion last year.
• Two of the AFC’s best quarterbacks, Drake Maye and Mahomes, go head-to-head.

Week 16

Notable games
Date
Time (ET)

Texans @ Eagles ⭐
Dec. 24
8:15 p.m.

Packers @ Bears 🍿🎄
Dec. 25
1 p.m.

Bills @ Broncos 🍿🎄
Dec. 25
4:30 p.m.

Rams @ Seahawks ⭐🍿🎄
Dec. 25
8:15 p.m.

Chargers @ Dolphins
Dec. 27
1 p.m.

Titans @ Raiders
Dec. 27
4:05 p.m.

49ers @ Chiefs
Dec. 27
4:25 p.m.

Why we’re pumped for these:

• If C.J. Stroud and Hurts play the type of football they’re capable of, this should be a great appetizer before the Christmas Day games.
• This will be the first time the Packers roll into Chicago since the Bears sent them home in the playoffs, and there should be no shortage of bad blood.
• The Bills return to Denver with a chance at revenge after last season’s crushing playoff loss cost former head coach Sean McDermott his job.
• The world has to wait until Dec. 25 to see a rematch of the NFC title game between the Rams and Seahawks, but what a perfect final Christmas gift to open.
• Remember me? After getting fired by the Dolphins last season, Mike McDaniel can show off with his new partner, the Chargers’ offense.
• Depending on how the Raiders’ season goes, there’s a good chance this week will feature Mendoza, this year’s No. 1 pick, against Cam Ward, last year’s top pick.
• Who wouldn’t sign up for a rematch of Super Bowl LIV and LVIII as Kyle Shanahan gets another shot at usurping Mahomes?

You can view the original article HERE.