Which NFL teams deserve more or fewer prime-time games in 2026 schedule?

One of the trickiest and most scrutinized elements of composing the NFL schedule is figuring out the prime-time slate.

The league has placed a special emphasis on recent years out of maximizing the audience for its most lucrative windows. That shift has only increased the imbalance between the franchises that are fixtures of the standalone slate and those who tend to toil in obscurity. But with this year's schedule release set for Thursday, several organizations could be set for a significant swing in how much attention they're afforded.

USA TODAY Sports took a look at five teams that deserve more prime-time games in 2026 and five that deserve fewer:

Five NFL teams that deserve more prime-time games

New England Patriots

With schedule-makers left to guess how New England's Year 1 resurgence under Mike Vrabel might take form, the Patriots only received an initial allotment of three prime-time games last season − the same number given to the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Chicago Bears. Safe to say a boost is coming in 2026.

Even independent of the Vrabel controversy that has loomed over the franchise this offseason, the defending AFC champions should compel plenty of people to tune in whenever they play. NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye is one of the league's most prolific deep throwers, and there should be widespread interest in how the offense rebounds from its Super Bowl 60 unraveling. If the long-awaited A.J. Brown trade materializes after June 1, the wide receiver's acclimation into the league's No. 2 scoring attack will be one of the most compelling early-season storylines.

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

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2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

1 / 4

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans)

2 / 4

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs)

3 / 4

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions)

4 / 4

2026 NFL offseason tracker: Player signings, trades

WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears)

New England has plenty of matchups more than worthy of a significant spotlight. The Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks should be one of the most highly rated regular-season contests. Another tilt with the Denver Broncos should also prove far more entertaining than the sloppy AFC championship game was. Matchups with the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears offer up excellent quarterback showdowns. Meanwhile, the rivalry with the Buffalo Bills has turned into one of the league's best and most consequential divisional games. Expect the league to push the Patriots early and often in the prime-time slate.

Chicago Bears

From a network's perspective, the Bears have plenty going for them: Caleb Williams' captivating off-schedule plays, an offense that scores in droves and a novelty factor for a massive brand that's had new life breathed into it. Now, the league could be set to go all in on Chicago after hedging somewhat with three prime-time games in 2025.

What makes the Bears even more attractive for standalone windows is the abundance of intriguing matchups. None of the NFC North grudge matches would be out of place in an evening slot, but the clashes with the Packers seem particularly appealing given the thrills that the rivalry produced last year. The road trip to face the Seahawks seems like a strong candidate for the season opener, and the schedule will also include meetings with the Bills and Eagles. Don't be surprised if the Bears are topped by only the Cowboys and Chiefs in their prime-time tally.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Far from a mainstream draw, the Jaguars have frequently had to settle for their London dates as their most reliable opportunity to capture a wider national audience. After getting just one prime-time slot last year, however, Jacksonville should reap the rewards of its nine-win improvement with a substantially larger share of the spotlight this fall.

While the two meetings with the Houston Texans might not seem like a ratings winner, the AFC South tilt should be a compelling matchup at least deserving consideration for "Thursday Night Football." Jacksonville could also be paired with typical Sunday and Monday night fixtures, such as the Cowboys, Eagles, Steelers, Giants and Broncos. No matter which games are chosen, Jaguars fans probably will need to get accustomed to staying up late rather than merely getting up early.

Carolina Panthers

The NFL has treated Carolina as little more than an afterthought for marquee matchups this decade, giving them just six in the last six years. Perhaps this is the year for a breakthrough.

The Panthers are coming off an NFC South title and an end to a franchise-record playoff drought. With all eight division winners from 2024 having received at least four prime-time appointments last season, it seems like Carolina is due for a bump in visibility.

A first-place schedule will bring plenty of challenges for the Panthers while also opening lots of broadcast opportunities. A brutal home slate includes the Bears, Lions, Bengals, Ravens, Seahawks and Broncos. Meanwhile, the road schedule features the Eagles, whom the Panthers outbid to land marquee free agent edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.

New Orleans Saints

The last-place finisher in the league's most lackluster division might seem like an odd candidate for this list. New Orleans, however, has plenty going for it after last year being held out of the prime-time lineup for the first time since 2000.

Going from 5-12 in 2024 to 6-11 last year might not seem like sufficient cause for more consideration in prized broadcast windows. But the Saints have already made significant strides. Chief among them: The quarterback outlook has gone from shaky to stirring, with ascendant second-year signal-caller Tyler Shough proving himself capable of making impressive throws on the move. With running back Travis Etienne Jr. and first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson providing the supporting cast with sorely needed big-play potential, Kellen Moore's offense could make waves in Year 2.

Yet there aren't necessarily many matchups on the slate that scream must-see TV. Maybe one of the NFC South rivalry games would suffice as "Thursday Night Football" fodder. And there are a couple of fun clashes of young quarterbacks with Shough taking on the Giants' Jaxson Dart and Raiders' Fernando Mendoza − depending on when the No. 1 pick takes the starting reins. Regardless, New Orleans deserves better than being blanked for a second year in a row.

Five NFL teams that deserve fewer prime-time games

Atlanta Falcons

With five prime-time games and a standalone window for their Germany matchup in 2025, the Falcons received a major vote of confidence from the league. A breakthrough for Atlanta and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. never materialized, and Arthur Blank cleaned house in response to the disappointment.

Even with new coach Kevin Stefanski aboard, the Falcons hardly qualify as must-see TV. A quarterback competition between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa likely won't move the needle with viewers or produce much better results through the air. A stagnant Atlanta roster has also been passed up by its competition in the NFC South, with the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints showing serious signs of growth. It's time to spread the wealth in the division, which can easily be achieved by bumping the Falcons down to a slate befitting a team stuck in neutral.

Miami Dolphins

The NFL made it all the way to Week 16 last year before flexing a prime-time matchup, giving the rudderless Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals the boot. That was perhaps a harbinger of how the league might treat the former this spring after reserving five such slots for the team in 2025.

First-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has left no doubt that Miami is going full bore with its teardown, which has sent away the likes of Tagovailoa, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, edge rusher Bradley Chubb and more. All that's left in the rubble: various low-cost holdovers, bargain free-agent signings and rookies trying to find their way. And while quarterback Malik Willis provides some panache with his big-play capabilities as a runner and downfield thrower, he's sure to be inhibited by a receiving corps lacking any established options. This looks like a season that will be spent toiling and tweaking before the Dolphins can establish any real competitive credentials. It's probably best for the group to do that away from the limelight.

Washington Commanders

In 2025, the league's schedule-makers embraced a Washington team coming off an unexpected run to the NFC championship game, giving the franchise five prime-time games along with a Christmas slot and a standalone international window. The Commanders went on to lose all seven of those contests, though three of those defeats were only sealed on the last play.

Is that a sign of a rapid re-emergence? With Jayden Daniels getting a fresh slate after a spate of injuries spoiled his sophomore campaign, there's reason to believe Washington should be far more formidable in 2026. Yet the Commanders will be working in two first-time coordinators, with David Blough instituting what likely will be a more methodical offense that emphasizes more under-center work. That's not exactly a scintillating setup for a team that didn't do much from a personnel standpoint to support Daniels, who still lacks a viable No. 2 target alongside Terry McLaurin.

The Commanders should find a more stable resting point between the high of 2024 and last season's nadir. But Washington remains decidedly outside of the NFC's prime class of contenders, and its schedule should reflect that reality.

Arizona Cardinals

Since getting rid of its mandate for every team to be scheduled for at least one prime-time game, the NFL hasn't been shy about keeping some of its duller and less competitive operations out of the spotlight. That could mean trouble for Arizona, which got two prime-time appointments in 2025 but could be blanked this fall.

First-year coach Mike LaFleur might see better fortune on the health front – the Cardinals finished last season with 24 players on injured reserve – and in close contests than predecessor Jonathan Gannon did. Yet the team that finished with the worst point differential in the NFC (-133) remains a long way off from challenging anyone in its division after going 0-6 against NFC West foes last year. No matter whether Jacoby Brissett holds onto the starting quarterback job or gives way to third-rounder Carson Beck, the offense looks bound to be boxed in by its limitations behind center. And while the arrival of Jeremiyah Love might spark some mild intrigue, running room likely will be hard to come by – as will any game times outside of Sunday afternoons.

New York Jets

Maybe this seems harsh for a team that was already pushed to the fringes, with their prime-time tally being razed from six in 2024 to two last year. Yet even matching that amount this fall would be generous for a regime that still hasn't conjured a reason for others to tune in.

Gang Green very well might be a more competent operation after absorbing some necessary lessons from Aaron Glenn's turbulent first year at the helm. But are the Jets any more compelling than they previously were? The defense still seems stuck in a transitional phase after dealing away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at midseason, and the new pairing of quarterback Geno Smith and coordinator Frank Reich doesn't inspire a ton of confidence for an offensive surge.

The Jets, of course, are too big a brand to be shunted aside completely. But while a "Thursday Night Football" game against an AFC East rival might be reasonable, anything beyond that might be a stretch.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NFL schedule: Which teams deserve more or fewer prime-time games?