Ranking best games on 2026 NFL schedule for every team: Seahawks-Patriots rematch, Chiefs-Bills renewal & more

Ranking best games on 2026 NFL schedule for every team: Seahawks-Patriots rematch, Chiefs-Bills renewal & more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

With the 2026 NFL schedule being released, fans of all 32 teams, like every season, will have at least a few games marked down as can't-miss contests.

Some dates and times on the slate feel different for a variety of reasons, from the level or familiarity of the opponents to player- or coach-related storylines. Here's a look at the most important games, one per team:

MORE:Which teams have the easiest schedules in 2026?

Every NFL team's best game on the 2026 schedule

1. New England Patriots (at Seahawks)

The Super Bowl 60 rematch will mean more to the Patriots after the 29-13 loss to the Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on Feb. 8. New England was dominated in every way, and how it fares against Seattle is a key barometer to see if the AFC champion can avoid the Super Bowl hangover.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (at Bills)

The Chiefs didn't win the AFC West and missed the playoffs last season. The Bills didn't win the AFC East and saw the Patriots instead get back to the Super Bowl. The scheduling gods couldn't pass up making sure the top conference rivalry of the past few years was renewed, with Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen each having something new to prove.

3. Seattle Seahawks (vs. Rams)

The Seahawks and Rams played three classics last season, with the two most exciting coming in Seattle in both the regular season and NFC championship game. This matchup figures to once again have major NFC West and seeding implications.

4. Buffalo Bills (vs. Ravens)

Neither the Bills nor the Ravens (who also missed the playoffs) could take advantage of a Mahomes- and Chiefs-less AFC playoffs to get past their Super Bowl droughts with their MVP QBs. That prompted big coaching changes for both teams, as this top conference battle becomes Allen vs. Lamar Jackson, along with Joe Brady vs. Jesse Minter.

MORE:Which teams have the most difficult schedules in 2026?

5. Philadelphia Eagles (at 49ers)

The Eagles fell short of making it back to the Super Bowl when the 49ers upset them in Philadelphia in the wild-card round. This compelling rematch is fun as Jalen Hurts vs. Brock Purdy is low-key the Allen vs. Mahomes of the NFC.

6. Green Bay Packers (at Bears)

The Packers and Bears also played three times last season, with Chicago having the upper hand in the NFC North title race and the wild-card playoff matchup. Green Bay needs to flex a bit here to prove it hasn't lost the edge in the league's oldest classic rivalry.

(SN Graphics/Getty Images)

7. Los Angeles Rams (vs. Bills)

The Rams and Bills are on the short list of top Super Bowl contenders with the last two MVP quarterbacks, Allen and Matthew Stafford. 

MORE:Inside the NFL's international slate in 2026

8. Denver Broncos (at Chiefs, Week 1, Monday Sept. 14, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC)

The Broncos wrestled the division away from the Chiefs, cruising to a 14-3 record to finish eight games ahead of them in the AFC West standings. Everyone expects the real Kansas City playoff power to return right away, so Denver should be motivated to set the tone early, regardless of Mahomes' availability for the opener.

9. San Francisco 49ers (vs. Rams, Week 1, Thursday Sept. 10, 8:35 p.m. ET, Netflix)

The 49ers and Rams will go Down Under to open the season, far from their respective California homes in Melbourne, Australia. Kyle Shanahan vs. Sean McVay is always fun and this will be no different with Mike Evans vs. Trent McDuffie adding a new element.

10. Chicago Bears (vs. Eagles)

The Bears are trying to show they are the new team to beat in the NFC despite their brutal league-toughest strength of schedule. Winning at Philadelphia would be a big part of building that reputation.

MORE:When does the 2026 NFL season start?

11. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Ravens, Week 3, Sunday Sept. 27, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)

The Cowboys and Ravnes will play this game in Rio De Janeiro, with the Brazilians getting to see a brazen offensive performance of Jackson vs. Dak Prescott.

12. Detroit Lions (vs. Patriots, Week 10, Sunday Nov. 8, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)

The Lions and Patriots will play this game in Munich, with the Germans getting to see a high-scoring duel between Jared Goff and Drake Maye with Dan Campbell and Mike Vrabel also matching wits.

13. Washington Commanders (vs. Eagles)

The Commanders will try to work back into the NFC playoff mix with a healthy Jayden Daniels and being able to foil Philadelphia at home would be key to trying to earn the wild-card playoff berth that sprang them to the conference championship two years ago.

14. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Chiefs)

The Bengals are hoping they will have a healthy Joe Burrow to battle a healthy Mahomes and get back into the conversation of being an AFC contender, five seasons removed from their Super Bowl 56 run.

MORE:Which NFL teams will be forced to travel the most miles in 2026?

15. Baltimore Ravens (at Bengals)

Trey Hendrickson was a big reason for the Bengals getting to that Super Bowl. Hendrickson will return to Cincinnati to wreak havoc as a Ravens pass rusher for the first time in this matchup.

16. Los Angeles Chargers (at Ravens)

The Chargers will go to Baltimore with Jim Harbaugh not facing his brother John anymore but rather his former defensive coordinator Minter, now elevated to a head-coaching counterpart.

17. Houston Texans (vs. Bills)

The Texans' defense has had some fine moments frustrating Allen and the Bills and this will be a good litmus test for a returning playoff team from the AFC South.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (at Eagles)

The Keystone State battle will be interesting with some interconference playoff implications, whether it's Aaron Rodgers vs. Hurts or Penn State rookie Drew Allar getting his chance for the Steelers.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (at Broncos)

The Jaguars can renew a strong playoff-caliber matchup from a while back with Trevor Lawrence and Bo Nix in this modern QB duel. It's really more of a rising offense vs. dominant defense classic.

20. Indianapolis Colts (at Giants)

Should Daniel Jones have another strong season for the Colts coming off his torn Achilles' he gets a compelling road revenge game dueling his first-round replacement, Jaxson Dart.

21. New York Giants (vs. Cowboys, Week 1, Sunday Sept. 12, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)

The Giants should find out soon with Dart and John Harbaugh if they have a revamped team good enough to competitive for a playoff spot out of the NFC East with a winnable litmus test against Dallas at home.

MORE:How the NFL used AI technology to construct the 2026 schedule

22. New Orleans Saints (vs. Steelers, Week 7, Sunday Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)

The Fleur De Lis helmets of the Saints bring some ooh la la to the first-ever regular-season NFL game played in Paris as they take on the team from Steel City with the Iron Lady (the Eiffel Tower) in the background. With some Olympic inspiration, the Saints will try to prove they are worthy of being a hot playoff sleeper led by QB Tyler Shough.

23. Las Vegas Raiders (at Patriots)

The Raiders have the most popular part-owner in the NFL in the GOAT, Tom Brady. Recalling Week 1 of 2025, the Patriots suffered one of their few losses at home in a revenge game that didn't go well for Josh McDaniels. Maye broke out in a big way the rest of the season and it should make for a fun passing duel (with let's hope) Fernando Mendoza.

24. Minnesota Vikings (vs. 49ers, Week 11, Sunday Nov. 22, 8:20 p.m ET, NBC)

The Vikings and 49ers will take the action to Mexico City for a national prime-time game where it can be a throwback to a NFC West QB duel between Purdy and Kyler Murray.

Brian Daboll

25. Tennessee Titans (at Giants)

The Titans wasted little time in making former Giants coach Brian Daboll their offensive coordinator to help QB Cam Ward break out in Year 2. Meanwhile, Daboll left behind second-year first-round passer Dart in New York. This is part revenge game, part compelling duel of young guns who also have impressive wheels.

26. Arizona Cardinals (vs. Rams)

The Cardinals plucked their new offensive-minded coach Mike LaFleur from McVay's staff, trying to revamp their attack while moving on from Murray. Expect Arizona to steal a key game or two in the NFC West and this would qualify for upset alert.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Browns)

Baker Mayfield gets to play the team that made a big mistake in discarding him too early as their franchise QB, so the emotions and motivation will run high.

28. Atlanta Falcons (vs. Chiefs)

The Falcons will hope to find enough offense with Bijan Robinson under new coach Kevin Stefanski to make this rare interconference matchup competitive.

29. Carolina Panthers (vs. Seahawks)

The Panthers get to test their status as surprise NFC South champions of last season facing the Super Bowl champions, also the former employer of coach Dave Canales.

30. Miami Dolphins (vs. Chargers)

The Dolphins did their best to be a dynamic offensive playoff team under Mike McDaniel, but the winning breakthrough was limited. McDaniel will return to Miami and try to drive his former team batty by calling big winning plays for L.A.'s offense.

Mike McDaniel

31. New York Jets (at Lions)

Jets coach Aaron Glenn will return to Detroit, where he was defensive coordinator as late as two season ago. Geno Smith also will return to the site of the biggest road win he ever had as the Seahawks' starting QB.

32. Cleveland Browns (vs. Falcons)

The Browns will see Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay, but this game will dip into their most recent offensive past with Stefanski and Tommy Rees returning on the visiting sideline with Atlanta.