NFL 2026 schedule revealed, see the best and worst opening week games

The NFL schedule is out. Teams and the adoring public now know who they will play, when and where. There will be nine International Series games that will test the mettle of teams faced with the travel for them. The season starts on a Wednesday, Sept. 9, and there will be games on the 10th, 13th, and 14th in the first week of the season. What are the best games as NFL 2026 opens its first week and which teams will be tested to the max? Every matchup can't be great so a look, too, at the ones that won't light up many people.

The NFL schedule is out. Teams and the adoring public now know who they will play, when and where.

There will be nine International Series games that will test the mettle of teams faced with the travel for them. The season starts on a Wednesday, Sept. 9, and there will be games on the 10th, 13th, and 14th in the first week of the season.

What are the best games as NFL 2026 opens its first week and which teams will be tested to the max? Every matchup can't be great so a look, too, at the ones that won't light up many people.

16. Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders, Sept. 13

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza runs through a drill during a rookie minicamp.

Fernando Mendoza against Malik Willis or Quinn Ewers can't say this dog of a matchup.

15. New York Jets at Tennessee Titans, Sept. 13

Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh, right, and Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll meet to talk during stretching at the Titans rookie camp.

Don't get too excited about Robert Saleh facing his former team as he debuts for Tennessee. How will Geno Smith do as the placeholder until the Jets find an actual franchise QB?

14. Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers, Sept. 13

Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers and Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears.

Will the Bears continue the strides they made last year. It won't be easy, just ask the Washington Commanders who had huge gains in 2024 only to falter in 2025. Carolina looks to continue its upswing and should provide an intriguing test. A matchup of Heisman winners as Caleb Williams duels Bryce Young.

13. Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers, Sept. 13

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media.

The Cardinals begin another season with another new coach. This one is Mike LaFleur, who comes over after time as the offensive coordinator of the LA Rams. The Chargers are still under Jim Harbaugh and it will be intriguing to see if the Bolts can improve and make gains on the Denver Broncos. This should be a step in that direction.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals, Sept. 13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium.

Teams that will be looking to improve on 2025 meet in Ohio. Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow is a strong matchup. Both Heisman winners will hope to shred the opposing defenses. Cincinnati tried to address its porous defense through offseason moves. If that unit doesn't improve, this team is in trouble.

11. Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 13

Joe McCarthy Jr. (left) and Ellen McCarthy (right) flank their son Mike McCarthy (middle) at a press conference announcing Mike as the new Pittsburgh Steelers head coach.

The Falcons get underway with Kevin Stefanski. The Steelers start the Mike McCarthy era. How long will Michael Penix Jr. remained ensconced at QB in Atlanta? And how long will the mystery of whether Aaron Rodgers will play in 2026 drag on? Talk about a soap opera that needs to be canceled.

10. New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions, Sept. 13

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

Will Dan Campbell fix what ailed the Lions last year. Everything seemed to rosy for the Honolulu Blue but injuries and other factors led to a miserable 2025. If the Saints test or take down Detroit, things could start to get warm for Detroit's beloved coach.

9. Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sept. 13

Deshaun Watson throws a pass at the Browns mini camp in Berea on April 21, 2026.

Another year, another new coach for the Browns. Will they seriously start Deshaun Watson at quarterback? The Jaguars can sit back and wait for the storm around Cleveland to come to town. They should be in good shape for this opener.

8. Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts, Sept. 13

Baltimore Ravens coach Jesse Minter at the NFL scouting combine.

A rare year when Baltimore begins its season with a new coach. Jesse Minter replaces John Harbaugh. He has quite the act to follow. Minter is a defense expert. Will he be able to tune up the Ravens' defense? Daniel Jones had a great first half last year for Indy before being injured and watching the team's season collapse.

7. Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles, Sept. 13

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore.

One of two games between NFC East teams. The Commanders hope to stay healthy and look at last year's terrible run as an aberration, as opposed to 2024 being one. How long will it take for there to be unhappiness with Nick Sirianni in Philly?

6. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, Sept. 13

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) greets Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) on the field after the game at MetLife Stadium.

"Sunday Night Football" starts with one of its favorite matchups. Quarterbacks who played college ball in the Delta State match up with Dak Prescott (Mississippi State) going up against Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss). Malik Nabers had a second surgery recently to clean up more of what was wrong with his knee. Will he be ready for the opener? John Harbaugh sure hopes so.

5. Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings. Sept. 13

Kyler Murray looks on during the first half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.

The 132nd overall meeting -- including a pair of playoff games -- between these NFC North rivals. The Packers are set at QB with Jordan Love. The Vikings' decision will be in the spotlight with Kyler Murray, JJ McCarthy, and Carson Wentz in Purple. Has Kevin O'Connell already given up on McCarthy?

4. Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 14

Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs watches the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.

The reigning AFC West champions pay a visit to the team that dominated the division for years. All eyes on this "Monday Night Football" game will be focused on whether Patrick Mahomes is ready to start. Chances are this could be one of the first television appearances of Taylor Swift as Travis Kelce's wife.

3. Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans, Sept. 13

Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting.

Joe Brady takes over for Sean McDermott in Buffalo. He's the brains behind the Bills' offense. It had better hum with Brady in control. The Texans have a fantastic defense and will provide an enormous test.

2. New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks, Sept. 9

(L-R) Joel McHale, Cooper Kupp, and Mike Macdonald speak during the SiriusXM Front Row with the Seattle Seahawks.

Just what Mike Vrabel needs, a national TV audience against the team that beat his Pats in the Super Bowl. The coach's not-so quiet offseason should make for an interesting listen for what announcer do and don't say.

1. San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Australia), Sept. 10 (USA)

Puka Nacua #12 and Kevin Dotson #69 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrate after Nacua caught a touchdown pass during the NFL 2025 game between Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 9, 2025 in Santa Clara, California.

A fantastic matchup between top three or top five teams in the NFL. The folks Down Under will be treated to a great rivalry and important early game between NFC West rivals. The best game of a strong lot.

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL opening week schedule