The NFL released its full 2026 regular-season schedule, and while 272 games sprawl across the calendar, ten matchups stand out as unmissable television. The slate includes a Super Bowl rematch to open the season, fierce division rivals battling for supremacy, and late-season contests that could determine playoff seeding.

Week 1: Patriots At Seahawks

A Super Bowl rematch kicks off the season. Seattle dominated the last meeting, but the defending champions face significant roster turnover. The Seahawks lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs in free agency, and must replace edge rusher Boye Mafe, cornerback Coby Bryant, and safety Riq Woolen.

The Patriots counter with the anticipated arrival of A.J. Brown via trade and another year of development for quarterback Drake Maye. Despite Seattle's losses, expect a competitive opener.

Week 5: Bears At Packers (On FOX)

Two of the league's best young quarterbacks collide in an NFC North grudge match. Bears head coach Ben Johnson has made clear his disdain for the Packers and Matt LaFleur, adding edge to this storied rivalry.

Last season told the story: all three meetings were decided by one score. The Packers won at Lambeau on a final-second interception of Caleb Williams. The Bears answered two weeks later, tying the game in the final minute before Williams connected for a game-winning overtime touchdown. The playoff rematch proved most dramatic—Chicago mounted an 18-point comeback to eliminate Green Bay.

Week 5: Broncos At Chargers

An AFC West battle between Denver and Los Angeles showcases how new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel maximizes quarterback Justin Herbert's talents. The Bolts face Seattle the prior week and hope to arrive healthy.

For Denver, it's an early test of quarterback Bo Nix's health after finishing last season with a fractured ankle. The defending AFC West champs must prove they remain divisional kings.

Week 7: Chiefs At Seahawks

Kenneth Walker III said he knew in advance he wouldn't return to Seattle in 2026. The Super Bowl MVP gets his homecoming at Lumen Field against his new Kansas City team on "Sunday Night Football."

Seattle, chasing back-to-back Super Bowl titles, fields one of the league's best defenses under Mike Macdonald. It will face off against Patrick Mahomes, the best quarterback in football.

Week 7: Bengals At Ravens

The two teams expected to wage an AFC North war meet here for the first time. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow rank among the league's elite quarterbacks, though both have struggled with injury durability.

The game marks edge rusher Trey Hendrickson's first matchup against his former team. He signed with Baltimore after Cincinnati rescinded its trade pursuit of star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.

Week 10: Patriots Vs. Lions In Munich (On FOX)

Detroit looks to rebound after missing the playoffs. The Lions face a Patriots squad that enjoyed a Super Bowl run in Mike Vrabel's inaugural season but inherited a tougher schedule.

The Patriots play in Germany for the second time in franchise history, while it's the Lions' debut abroad. The matchup pits two potential MVP candidates—Drake Maye and Jared Goff—against each other.

Week 10: 49ers At Cowboys (On FOX)

San Francisco has won four straight against Dallas, but this road contest at AT&T Stadium presents complications. The 49ers' injury report could tell a different story come Week 10.

Dallas improved its defense with first-round draft picks Caleb Downs and Micah Lawrence. Complemented by an explosive offense led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens, the Cowboys should give the Niners fits.

Week 12: Eagles At Cowboys (On FOX)

By this date, clarity emerges on whether Jalen Hurts thrives in new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion's system, and whether the Eagles retain enough weapons around him.

Philadelphia has won back-to-back NFC East titles, but an improved Cowboys squad hunts reclamation. Prescott owns a 10-5 record against Philadelphia, and both teams' meetings last season proved razor-thin—decided by a combined seven points.

Week 16: Rams At Seahawks (On FOX)

The NFC Championship Game matchup repeats in one of the final three weeks. Last season, both regular-season contests went to one score before Seattle won the playoff rubber match 31-27.

Both teams rank among Super Bowl favorites again, and most power rankings peg the Rams and Seahawks in the top two spots. Another high-charged battle looms.

Chiefs At Bills

Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes have split their 10 meetings at 5-5, though Mahomes owns a 4-0 playoff record against Allen. Allen squandered a rare playoff absence by three of the AFC's elite—Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson didn't appear in postseason play last year.

With new head coach Joe Brady and No. 1 receiver D.J. Moore on board, Allen must navigate his way back into contention. The late-season clash with Kansas City—another team clawing toward the playoffs—carries playoff implications.