Every NFL Week 1 game on 2026 schedule, ranked from worst to best

The 2026 NFL regular season is finally here.

Now we can talk about it.

Sure, the next few hours will be dominated by breakdowns of all the schedule release videos put together by the various teams, but let’s look ahead to the first week of the season. What games should you watch, and what games are you not even putting on the quadbox?

16. Jets at Titans

This will be a game of NFL football.

Yes, there is the Robert Saleh revenge factor, but even that does not move the needle too much.

15. Dolphins at Raiders

This could be Kirk Cousins versus Malik Willis. Or it could be Fernando Mendoza versus Malik Willis. Either way, this is a game to keep tabs on using your phone.

14. Falcons at Steelers

Tua Tagovailoa versus Aaron Rodgers?

Michael Penix Jr. versus Drew Allar?

Yeah, we’re just not sure this should be high on your list of priorities in Week 1.

13. Patriots at Seahawks

Who asked for this, besides perhaps Seattle fans?

We … just saw this game. It did not go well. After crossing the 50-yard line on their opening possession, the Patriots did not see Seahawks’ territory until their first drive of the fourth quarter. The highlight of the night was, unless you are a Seahawks fan, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance.

Sure, having a non-conference game in this slot makes sense, for playoff tiebreakers and things like that. But, we just saw this game and we’re not sure anyone wants to see it again anytime soon. Particularly on opening night.

12. Cardinals at Chargers

It will be fun to see Jeremiyah Love’s debut, but this could turn ugly quickly.

11. Cowboys at Giants

NFC East games in primetime slots will continue until morale improves.

Yes, this is John Harbaugh’s first game with the Giants, and yes since it is an island game we know you will be watching. But on a list like this, we do not feel compelled to bump this game up much higher.

10. Buccaneers at Bengals

The Bengals have hopes of a return to the postseason, provided they can get a year of completely healthy. The Buccaneers are hoping to bounce back after a collapse in the second half of 2025.

Still, we’re in something of “wait and see” mode when it comes to both teams. Given the rest of the early Sunday slate, there are some games on the schedule we are more excited about.

9. Broncos at Chiefs

We are putting this game right in the middle for one simple reason.

We do not know who will be under center for each team.

Both Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix are coming back from injuries suffered late in the season. If both starting quarterback are back for Week 1, then this game easily moves up this list. But if we are talking about a Justin Fields versus Jarrett Stidham matchup, then this game could just as easily slide down this list.

So it stays in the middle for now. Check with us in August.

8. Browns at Jaguars

We absolutely loved what the Browns did in the draft.

We were not fans of what the Jaguars did.

But that is why they play the games, right?

7. Commanders at Eagles

Honestly, the reason this game is so high is this: Sonny Styles.

The dynamic linebacker making his debut against Jalen Hurts and this offense? That is going to be a blast to watch.

Add in the return of Jayden Daniels, and the fact that this game is in the late afternoon Sunday slate (against games such as Cardinals at Chargers and Dolphins at Raiders) and you have a game you’ll want to be watching.

6. Saints at Lions

The Saints could be a sneaky good team this year, and we look at Detroit as one of the teams that missed the playoffs in 2025 yet should make a return to the postseason in 2026.

Because of that, this is a game we’re going to be keeping an eye on.

5. Ravens at Colts

This game is an exciting, early-season test for both teams. Will Daniel Jones be back, allowing the Colts to return to what they showed during the first half of 2026? How will the Ravens fare in new head coach Jesse Minter’s debut? A Week 1 tonesetter for two teams with playoff aspirations.

4. Packers at Vikings

Who will be under center for Minnesota when this game kicks off?

The folks at Startnine.win have a thought.

But beyond J.J. McCarthy versus Kyler Murray, the bigger question here is Jordan Love versus Brian Flores. How Love and the Green Bay offense handle what Flores throws at them will be worth watching.

3. Bears at Panthers

Is it wrong that we are very excited about this game?

Yes, we are talking about two playoff teams from a year ago. But that’s not all. If the Bears are going to make the leap from “playoff team” to true contender, they need to win games like this on the road. If the Panthers are going to make the leap from “team that squeaked into the playoffs” to “true playoff contender,” they need to win games like this at home. Plus, it is the first meeting between Bryce Young and Caleb Williams, and we are excited to see what this Carolina defense looks like after what they have added this offseason.

Plus, you have two young offensive minds in Ben Johnson and Dave Canales.

Should be fun.

2. Bills at Texans

Two AFC playoff teams from a year ago, each with aspirations of making a deep playoff run. And both teams have massive questions to answer. Was Joe Brady the right hire for Buffalo? Did the Bills put enough around Josh Allen? Have the Texans done enough along the offensive line? Can C.J. Stroud rebound from a tough end to 2025?

This will be a fun one, and a sneaky potential AFC Championship Game preview.

1. Rams vs. 49ers

Two playoff teams from 2025. Two of the game’s brightest offensive minds squaring off. A big division rivalry to begin the year.

And the first NFL regular season game in Australia?

Yeah, this is the game of the week.