The 2026 NFL schedule release has sparked excitement among fans, followers, and pundits alike, as they eagerly anticipate the must-watch games for each team. From reunions and rematches to revenge games and renewed rivalries, the upcoming season promises to be filled with thrilling matchups. Here's a breakdown of the top games to watch for every NFL team, with a focus on the personal perspectives and insights of the writers.
Arizona Cardinals: vs. Broncos, Week 7
"The Cardinals' schedule is a tough one, with four of six games on the road and two challenging home games. By the time the Broncos arrive in Week 7, the Carson Beck Watch could be in full effect. It's time for the Cardinals to see what they have in their third-round pick." - Doug Haller
Atlanta Falcons: at Cleveland, Week 14
"It'll be fascinating to see how Browns fans welcome former coach Kevin Stefanski back to Cleveland. He was 45-56 in six seasons there, but that's not great. It'll be an emotional trip for Stefanski, whether he hears boos or cheers." - Josh Kendall
Baltimore Ravens: vs. Chargers, Week 10
"The prominent storyline will be Jesse Minter facing his former team. However, don't discount how badly Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh will want to beat the Ravens after they abruptly fired his brother in January." - Jeff Zrebiec
Buffalo Bills: vs. Chiefs, Week 12
"Chiefs, Chiefs, always the Chiefs. Buffalo took a year off from being eliminated by Kansas City. The Bills' bugaboo remains the Chiefs, and Allen-Mahomes is still the NFL's superlative quarterback duel." - Tim Graham
Carolina Panthers: vs. Ravens, Week 11
"There were a lot of intriguing matchups to choose from, but the Baltimore Ravens haven't been to Charlotte in eight years. Lamar Jackson made the most of his limited snaps in the Panthers' win." - Joseph Person
Chicago Bears: vs. Packers, Week 16
"The Bears and Packers will reunite for a showcase game by Lake Michigan that ideally will have a lot at stake. Last season, the rivalry was renewed with three down-to-the-wire classics." - Dan Wiederer
Cincinnati Bengals: vs. Ravens, Week 17
"Bengals fans have been begging the league to put the home contest against Baltimore in primetime. Finally, the switch flipped. This will be the first Bengals regular-season home game in primetime against Baltimore since 2018." - Paul Dehner Jr.
Cleveland Browns: vs. Steelers, Week 4
"The first Cleveland-Pittsburgh game of the season is important because it's the first edition of a historic rivalry with new coaches on each side. This Thursday night game is also the only primetime game on Cleveland's schedule." - Zac Jackson
Dallas Cowboys: at Seattle, Week 13
"A matchup against the defending Super Bowl champions should be quite the test. And then there's the added storyline of it being DeMarcus Lawrence's first game against his old team." - Jon Machota
Denver Broncos: at New England, Week 17
"The Broncos will presumably have Bo Nix under center, marking his first matchup with fellow 2024 first-round pick Drake Maye. The Broncos believe they have unfinished business against the Patriots." - Nick Kosmider
Detroit Lions: at Green Bay, Week 18
"This game could decide the NFC North in the final week of the season. An early-January game, Lambeau Field, sold-out crowd, perhaps a 'Sunday Night Football' airing with the division on the line?" - Colton Pouncy
Green Bay Packers: vs. Dolphins, Week 15
"I'm excited to see the Packers face their former defensive coordinator and backup quarterback when Jeff Hafley and Malik Willis come to town." - Matt Schneidman
Houston Texans: vs. Bills, Week 1
"This is a crucial year for the Texans, especially quarterback C.J. Stroud. Week 1 vs. Josh Allen and the Bills will be a great measuring stick." - Mike Jones
Indianapolis Colts: at Kansas City, Week 2
"The Colts didn’t have a 'Sunday Night Football' game last year, and they haven’t won on Sunday night since 2021. This year’s matchup with the Chiefs is a chance for Indianapolis to make an early-season statement." - James Boyd
Jacksonville Jaguars: at Chicago, Week 13
"While the Jags will play more meaningful games against an increasingly competitive AFC South, their Week 13 tilt in Chicago will be a doozy if both teams maintain their momentum from last season." - Jeff Howe
Kansas City Chiefs: at Buffalo, Week 12
"Patrick Mahomes going against Bills quarterback Josh Allen always makes for must-watch TV. This one will have added spectacle as a Thanksgiving night game played in the Bills' brand-new Highmark Stadium." - Jesse Newell
Las Vegas Raiders: vs. Chiefs, Week 4
"Patrick Mahomes missing — or not being 100 percent — for the early matchup would be huge for the Raiders, as he holds a 13-2 career record against them." - Sam Warren
Los Angeles Chargers: at Baltimore, Week 10
"It will be mentors vs. protégés as the Chargers head to Baltimore for a Week 10 primetime game. Jesse Minter left the Chargers this offseason to take the Ravens head-coaching job." - Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Rams: at Seattle, Week 16
"The Rams will have the return to Seattle circled, especially after how last year’s two trips went. The rematch in Seattle lands on Christmas Day." - Nate Atkins
Miami Dolphins: at Green Bay, Week 15
"General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis joined forces in Miami this offseason, and they’ll all return to Green Bay in Week 15 to take on the Packers." - Jeff Howe
Minnesota Vikings: vs. Bills, Week 9
"Two of the NFL’s biggest stars in Justin Jefferson and Josh Allen. A primetime Monday night matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium, one of the league’s best venues for theater." - Alec Lewis
New England Patriots: at Kansas City, Week 15
"Patrick Mahomes should be back and fully healthy in time for this matchup of the league’s last two dynasties. This should be a fascinating matchup in primetime." - Chad Graff
New Orleans Saints: vs. Falcons, Week 4
"This will be the Saints’ first home 'Monday Night Football' appearance since the 2022 season and first primetime game since 2024." - Larry Holder
New York Giants: at Indianapolis, Week 12
"The NFL loves its theater, and a later date for this matchup is just what the popcorn-wielding masses ordered." - Charlotte Carroll
New York Jets: vs. Raiders, Week 8
"It was tempting to pick the game against the Lions here since that will mark Aaron Glenn’s return to Detroit, but odds are the Jets will have a hard time against one of the NFL’s best offenses." - Zack Rosenblatt
Philadelphia Eagles: vs. Seahawks, Week 15
"The Super Bowl LIX and LX champions collide. This is bound to be a barometer check for both teams." - Brooks Kubena
Pittsburgh Steelers: vs. Broncos, Week 12
"What better way to digest your turkey than with a Black Friday matchup against the Broncos?" - Mike DeFabo
San Francisco 49ers: vs. Eagles, Week 17
"The game is scheduled to be in primetime, and both teams could be jockeying for playoff position in early January." - Matt Barrows
Seattle Seahawks: vs. Bears, Week 8
"The Bears took a huge leap in 2025, as new head coach Ben Johnson paired with young quarterback Caleb Williams." - Devon Henderson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: at Detroit, Week 11
"The Lions have been a measuring stick for the Bucs in recent years and could be again this season." - Dan Pompei
Tennessee Titans: vs. Steelers, Week 17
"There’s no telling if this game will be meaningful for the Titans’ season, but it will be historic." - Joe Rexrode
Washington Commanders: vs. Bengals, Week 11
"Jayden Daniels’ career breakout game was a 'Monday Night Football' win over the Bengals two years ago." - Nicki Jhabvala
