The NFL's 2026 regular-season schedule features several high-stakes grudge matches, highlighting intense rivalries and storylines. Key matchups include the New England Patriots facing the Seattle Seahawks, among others.
Key points
NFL's 2026 schedule features significant grudge matches
New England Patriots will face Seattle Seahawks
Games hold relevance beyond season standings
Intense rivalries and storylines are highlighted
Full schedule release is set for Thursday
New England PatriotsSeattle Seahawks
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NFL players and coaches need no additional motivation to prepare for their 17-game slates. Still, a few of the matchups ahead this year might hold more meaning for some of the parties involved.
Whether it's a matter of revenge, redemption or just lingering ill will, several games ahead will hold relevance beyond this season's standings. And the league surely takes notice of the storylines, too, with some of the most captivating clashes bound for prime time.
With the full 2026 NFL regular-season schedule set to be released Thursday, here are the best grudge-match games set to take place at some point during the campaign:
Triumphing in a regular-season rematch might seem like cold comfort for the Patriots after February's Super Bowl shellacking. But more than a few figures – including quarterback Drake Maye, left tackle Will Campbell and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels – likely want to demonstrate they've moved on from the rout. Putting together a much more palatable performance against the defending champions would go a long way toward swaying skeptics of last year's No. 2 scoring offense and its staying power.
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks raises the Lombardi Trophy during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
Q&A
What are the key grudge-match games in the NFL's 2026 schedule?
The key grudge-match games include the New England Patriots at the Seattle Seahawks, among other notable matchups.
Why are certain NFL games considered grudge matches?
Grudge matches are considered significant due to underlying rivalries, revenge motives, or lingering tensions between teams and players.
When will the full 2026 NFL regular-season schedule be released?
The full 2026 NFL regular-season schedule is set to be released on Thursday.
How do grudge matches impact NFL teams' performance?
Grudge matches can heighten motivation and intensity, potentially influencing teams' performance and strategies during these games.
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General manager John Schneider of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with fans during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
Members of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate with fans during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with fans during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
Fans celebrate during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
Fans celebrate during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb.11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
A police officer throws a football with fans prior to the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
Head coach Mike McDonald of the Seattle Seahawks and his wife Stephanie MCDonald celebrate with fans during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
Fans cheer before the start of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
Fans cheer before the start of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
Fans cheer before the start of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
Military vehicles at Lumen Field prior to the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
Fans cheer before the start of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
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Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks raises the Lombardi Trophy during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
1 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks raises the Lombardi Trophy during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
2 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
General manager John Schneider of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with fans during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
3 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Members of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate with fans during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
4 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with fans during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
5 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Fans celebrate during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
6 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Fans celebrate during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb.11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
7 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
A police officer throws a football with fans prior to the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
8 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Head coach Mike McDonald of the Seattle Seahawks and his wife Stephanie MCDonald celebrate with fans during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX victory celebration and parade at Lumen Field on Feb. 11, 2026 in Seattle, Wash.
9 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Fans cheer before the start of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
10 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Fans cheer before the start of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
11 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Fans cheer before the start of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
12 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Military vehicles at Lumen Field prior to the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
13 / 13
Beach balls, signs, beer. See top photos from Seahawks Super Bowl parade
Fans cheer before the start of the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX parade.
Any sense of ill will from a player toward his former team typically tends to remain at least somewhat veiled. Not so for Trey Hendrickson, the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher who repeatedly aired out his frustrations with the Bengals throughout and after his standoff with the team. Though his beef is with the front office rather than his former teammates, Hendrickson surely will enjoy the opportunity to take down Joe Burrow in earnest and stoke the flames of an already intense divisional rivalry after signing with the Ravens in free agency.
Never one to hide his true feelings, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield raised the profile of the NFC South tilt when he responded to a post on social media about the Falcons' hiring of former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski. "Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage," Mayfield wrote. "Can't wait to see you twice a year, Coach." Stefanski made it clear that the hard feelings weren't mutual, saying Mayfield "is somebody that I have a ton of respect for as a player and a person." But with Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson having come over from Atlanta and the Falcons having denied Tampa Bay a fifth straight NFC South crown with their Week 18 win over the Saints, there are plenty of reasons why this rivalry could have some renewed vigor this fall.
Daniel Jones saw his four-and-a-half-year tenure as the Giants' starting quarterback unravel in a matter of days in November 2024, when he went from benched to released at his own request. A different shade of blue did wonders for the signal-caller, as he revived his career in Indianapolis last season before suffering a torn Achilles. Now back on a freshly signed two-year, $88 million contract, Jones is still working his way back from the injury suffered last December. But his showdown against his former team figures to be one of the more compelling dates on Indianapolis' schedule – and a strong candidate for a prime time slot.
This matchup features both of the coaches who were unceremoniously dismissed during the 2025 season: Brian Daboll is now the Titans' offensive coordinator, while Brian Callahan serves as the Giants' quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. With receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, cornerback Cor'Dale Flott and several other former Giants following Daboll to Nashville, Tennessee has become Big Blue South. Even if neither coach is carried off a la Jim Schwartz when he beat the Lions, there's still a strong undercurrent of revenge at play.
Robert Saleh became the first figure thrown overboard in the Jets' disastrous 2024 campaign, with the team firing its head coach after a 2-3 start. After managing to keep the injury-ravaged San Francisco 49ers defense together last year, he earned his second head-coaching gig this offseason with the Titans. Getting one over on his former employer would surely be a nice way for Saleh to start building something in Tennessee, which has radically reshaped its roster to fit the coach's proclivities. Defensive end Jermaine Johnson II also might have an interest in handling the Jets after the team traded him to Tennessee.
Safe to say that one of this season's more imbalanced matchups probably isn't going to be circled by many. It might hold special significance, though, for Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, whom the Dolphins let dangle for three days after the season before firing him as head coach. Rather than pursue one of the less attractive head-coaching vacancies, McDaniel found his landing spot as Jim Harbaugh's new offensive architect. When he returns to South Florida, his group could trample a rebuilding Dolphins team that's hurting at every level of its defense. Don't expect the guy who once orchestrated a 70-point outing to take it easy against his former team.
The league's newest sibling rivalry is bound by admiration rather than animosity. Still, a fierce battle of one-upsmanship is likely in store when Colts wide receiver Josh Downs takes on Cowboys rookie safety Caleb Downs. The two last squared off in high school, when elder brother Josh dazzled in North Gwinnett (Georgia) High School's rout of Caleb's Mill Creek High School. The stakes will be significantly higher this time as the two go head to head in the slot, but each sibling will be looking to put the other in his place.
"It's all fun and games, but you know I've got to still let him know he's the little brother in this situation," Josh said on May 7.
