🏈 2026 NFL Schedule: Full Schedule for 18 Weeks, Opening Odds & Week 1 Picks

The full 2026 NFL schedule is here as we break down the opening odds with Week 1 picks, strength of schedule rankings, the best matchups of the regular season, and more.

C Jackson Cowart

Last Updated: May 21, 2026 6:44 PM EDT • 20 minute read

Pictured: Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson (84) runs against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) during the second half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Photo by Kevin Ng / Imagn Images.

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The 2026 NFL schedule is finally here, and we've broken it down from every angle with all eyes on the season opener between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots on Wednesday, Sept. 9 - the second time in NFL history the regular season has started on a Wednesday and the first Super Bowl rematch on opening night in 10 years.

Our experts have already dissected the schedule release with full strength of schedule rankings, opening odds for every game, our Week 1 picks, the best matchups of the season, key dates, and the full primetime and holiday schedule. Bookmark this page as your one-stop reference for the entire 2026 NFL schedule.

📊 2026 NFL strength of schedule rankings after release

After the schedule dropped, I dug into the full 2026 slate and built market-adjusted NFL strength of schedule rankings using power ratings derived from each team's win totals and Super Bowl odds across our best sports betting sites. The result is a more accurate way to determine each team's true SOS ranking without relying on last year's records.

The Arizona Cardinals drew the toughest schedule in the league - more than 1.1 points worse than average per game - while the Detroit Lions got the easiest slate. Here's a look at the five hardest and easiest 2026 schedules:

Rank	Team	Difficulty	Per game
1	Arizona Cardinals	+19.30	+1.14
2	Miami Dolphins	+16.34	+0.96
3	Los Angeles Rams	+10.78	+0.63
4	Dallas Cowboys	+7.49	+0.44
5	Jacksonville Jaguars	+7.08	+0.42
---	---	---	---
28	Cleveland Browns	-8.51	-0.50
29	Baltimore Ravens	-8.93	-0.53
30	New Orleans Saints	-16.55	-0.97
31	Cincinnati Bengals	-16.98	-1.00
32	Detroit Lions	-18.40	-1.08

💰 NFL Week 1 odds & early picks

We finally have actual NFL odds to bet on for the 2026 season after the opening odds were released for all 16 games in Week 1, starting with the Super Bowl rematch on Sept. 9 between the Seahawks and Patriots and ending with Patrick Mahomes' potential return from an ACL tear he suffered last year in Week 15.

Here's the full Week 1 schedule with opening odds, courtesy of FanDuel (all times Eastern):

NFL Week 1 schedule

Patriots at Seahawks (-3.5) - Wed., Sept. 9 @ 8:20 p.m.
49ers vs. Rams (-2.5) - Thu., Sept. 10 @ 8:35 p.m. (Melbourne)
Bears (-2.5) at Panthers - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Bills (-1.5) at Texans - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Browns at Jaguars (-7) - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Buccaneers at Bengals (-3.5) - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Falcons at Steelers (-3) - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Jets at Titans (-3) - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Ravens (-3.5) at Colts - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Saints at Lions (-7) - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Cardinals at Chargers (-11.5) - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 4:25 p.m.
Commanders at Eagles (-5.5) - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 4:25 p.m.
Dolphins at Raiders (-3) - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 4:25 p.m.
Packers (-1.5) at Vikings - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 4:25 p.m.
Cowboys (-2.5) at Giants - Sun., Sept. 13 @ 8:20 p.m.
Broncos at Chiefs (-2.5) - Mon., Sept. 14 @ 8:15 p.m.

Our NFL expert Rob Paul broke down the entire slate with his NFL Week 1 odds & early picks for every game, including his best bet on Bills vs. Texans in a loaded slate.

📅 Full 2026 NFL schedule & odds

With the entire NFL schedule released, I have tracked the NFL opening odds for every game that you can bet across the best NFL betting sites - featuring the latest spreads, totals, and moneylines for the entire 18-week slate.

Here's a look at the full schedule broken down by week with odds via DraftKings for available games (all times Eastern). You can also follow our early NFL picks for every game of the 2026 season.

NFL Week 2 schedule

Lions at Bills (-3) - Thu., Sept. 17 @ 8:15 p.m.
Bengals at Texans (-2.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Browns at Buccaneers (-5.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Eagles (-4.5) at Titans - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Packers (-6.5) at Jets - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Panthers at Falcons (-1.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Saints at Ravens (-7.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Steelers at Patriots (-4.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Vikings at Bears (-3.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Jaguars at Broncos (-2.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 4:05 p.m.
Raiders at Chargers (-8.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 4:05 p.m.
Commanders at Cowboys (-4.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 4:25 p.m.
Dolphins at 49ers (-10.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 4:25 p.m.
Seahawks (-10) at Cardinals - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 4:25 p.m.
Colts at Chiefs (-5.5) - Sun., Sept. 20 @ 8:20 p.m.
Giants at Rams (-8.5) - Mon., Sept. 21 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 3 schedule

Falcons at Packers (-7.5) - Thu., Sept. 24 @ 8:15 p.m.
Bengals (-1.5) at Steelers - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Chargers at Bills (-2.5) - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Chiefs (-7) at Dolphins - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Jets at Lions (-9.5) - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Panthers (-1.5) at Browns - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Patriots (-1.5) at Jaguars - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Seahawks (-3.5) at Commanders - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Texans (-1.5) at Colts - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Titans at Giants (-3) - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Cardinals at 49ers (-11.5) - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 4:05 p.m.
Vikings at Buccaneers (-1.5) - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 4:05 p.m.
Raiders at Saints (-3) - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 4:25 p.m.
Ravens (-2.5) vs. Cowboys - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 4:25 p.m. (Rio de Janeiro)
Rams (-2.5) at Broncos - Sun., Sept. 27 @ 8:20 p.m.
Eagles (-1.5) at Bears - Mon., Sept. 28 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 4 schedule

Steelers (-2.5) at Browns - Thu., Oct. 1 @ 8:15 p.m.
Colts vs. Commanders (-1.5) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 9:30 a.m. (London)
Cardinals at Giants (-7) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m.
Cowboys at Texans (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m.
Jaguars at Bengals (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m.
Jets at Bears (-8.5) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m.
Packers (-1.5) at Buccaneers - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m.
Patriots at Bills (-3) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m.
Rams (-1.5) at Eagles - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m.
Titans at Ravens (-8.5) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m.
Dolphins at Vikings (-7.5) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 4:05 p.m.
Chargers at Seahawks (-3) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 4:25 p.m.
Chiefs (-5.5) at Raiders - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 4:25 p.m.
Broncos at 49ers (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 4:25 p.m.
Lions (-3) at Panthers - Sun., Oct. 4 @ 8:20 p.m.
Falcons at Saints (-2.5) - Mon., Oct. 5 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 5 schedule

Buccaneers at Cowboys (-3.5) - Thu., Oct. 8 @ 8:15 p.m.
Eagles (-2.5) vs. Jaguars - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 9:30 a.m. (London)
Bengals (-5.5) at Dolphins - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 1 p.m.
Browns at Jets (-1.5) - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 1 p.m.
Colts at Steelers (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 1 p.m.
Giants at Commanders (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 1 p.m.
Raiders at Patriots (-8.5) - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 1 p.m.
Texans (-3.5) at Titans - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 1 p.m.
Vikings (-1.5) at Saints - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 1 p.m.
Broncos at Chargers (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 4:05 p.m.
Bears at Packers (-3) - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 4:25 p.m.
Lions (-8.5) at Cardinals - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 4:25 p.m.
49ers at Seahawks (-3.5) - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 4:25 p.m.
Ravens (-4.5) at Falcons - Sun., Oct. 11 @ 8:20 p.m.
Bills at Rams (-3) - Mon., Oct. 12 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 6 schedule

Seahawks (-2.5) at Broncos - Thu., Oct. 15 @ 8:15 p.m.
Texans (-1.5) vs. Jaguars - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 9:30 a.m. (London)
Bears (-3) at Falcons - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 1 p.m.
Jets at Patriots (-9.5) - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 1 p.m.
Panthers at Eagles (-6.5) - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 1 p.m.
Ravens (-6.5) at Browns - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 1 p.m.
Saints at Giants (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 1 p.m.
Steelers at Buccaneers (-1.5) - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 1 p.m.
Titans at Colts (-3.5) - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 1 p.m.
Cardinals at Rams (-13.5) - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 4:05 p.m.
Bills (-6.5) at Raiders - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 4:25 p.m.
Chargers at Chiefs (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 4:25 p.m.
Cowboys at Packers (-3) - Sun., Oct. 18 @ 8:20 p.m.
Commanders at 49ers (-5.5) - Mon., Oct. 19 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 7 schedule

Patriots at Bears (-1.5) - Thu., Oct. 22 @ 8:15 p.m.
Steelers (-2.5) vs. Saints - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 9:30 a.m. (Dublin)
49ers (-4.5) at Falcons - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Bengals at Ravens (-3.5) - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Buccaneers at Panthers - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Colts (-3) at Vikings - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Dolphins at Jets (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Giants at Texans (-5.5) - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Browns at Titans (-2.5) - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Broncos (-7.5) at Cardinals - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 4:05 p.m.
Packers at Lions (-1.5) - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 4:25 p.m.
Rams (-7.5) at Raiders - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 4:25 p.m.
Chiefs at Seahawks (-3) - Sun., Oct. 25 @ 8:20 p.m.
Cowboys at Eagles (-3) - Mon., Oct. 26 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 8 schedule

Panthers at Packers (-7) - Thu., Oct. 29 @ 8:15 p.m.
Cardinals at Cowboys (-10.5) - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 1 p.m.
Colts at Jaguars - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 1 p.m.
Falcons at Buccaneers - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 1 p.m.
Raiders at Jets - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 1 p.m.
Ravens at Bills (-2.5) - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 1 p.m.
Browns at Steelers - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 1 p.m.
Titans at Bengals - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 1 p.m.
Vikings at Lions - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 1 p.m.
Chargers at Rams (-3.5) - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 4:05 p.m.
Chiefs at Broncos - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 4:25 p.m.
Patriots at Dolphins - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 4:25 p.m.
Eagles (-2.5) at Commanders - Sun., Nov. 1 @ 8:20 p.m.
Bears at Seahawks (-4.5) - Mon., Nov. 2 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 9 schedule

Jaguars at Ravens (-4.5) - Thu., Nov. 5 @ 8:15 p.m.
Bengals (-4.5) vs. Falcons - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 9:30 a.m. (Madrid)
Broncos at Panthers - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 1 p.m.
Browns at Saints - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 1 p.m.
Cowboys at Colts (-1.5) - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 1 p.m.
Giants at Eagles (-5.5) - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 1 p.m.
Jets at Chiefs - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 1 p.m.
Lions at Dolphins - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 1 p.m.
Rams (-4.5) at Commanders - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 1 p.m.
Raiders at 49ers (-8.5) - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 4:05 p.m.
Texans at Chargers - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 4:05 p.m.
Cardinals at Seahawks (-13.5) - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 4:25 p.m.
Packers (-1.5) at Patriots - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 4:25 p.m.
Buccaneers at Bears (-3.5) - Sun., Nov. 8 @ 8:20 p.m.
Bills (-3) at Vikings - Mon., Nov. 9 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 10 schedule

Commanders at Giants (-1.5) - Thu., Nov. 12 @ 8:15 p.m.
Patriots vs. Lions (-1.5) - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 9:30 a.m. (Munich)
Chiefs (-4.5) at Falcons - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 1 p.m.
Texans at Browns - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 1 p.m.
Vikings at Packers - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 1 p.m.
Dolphins at Colts - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 1 p.m.
Panthers at Saints - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 1 p.m.
Bills (-7) at Jets - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 1 p.m.
Jaguars at Titans - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 1 p.m.
Rams (-10.5) at Cardinals - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 4:05 p.m.
Seahawks at Raiders - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 4:05 p.m.
49ers at Cowboys (-1.5) - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 4:25 p.m.
Steelers at Bengals (-3.5) - Sun., Nov. 15 @ 8:20 p.m.
Chargers at Ravens (-2.5) - Mon., Nov. 16 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 11 schedule

Colts at Texans (-5.5) - Thu., Nov. 19 @ 8:15 p.m.
Dolphins at Bills (-11.5) - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 1 p.m.
Ravens at Panthers - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 1 p.m.
Saints at Bears (-6.5) - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 1 p.m.
Titans at Cowboys - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 1 p.m.
Buccaneers at Lions - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 1 p.m.
Cardinals at Chiefs - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 1 p.m.
Jaguars (-1.5) at Giants - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 1 p.m.
Jets at Chargers - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 4:05 p.m.
Raiders at Broncos - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 4:25 p.m.
Steelers at Eagles - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 4:25 p.m.
Vikings vs. 49ers (-3.5) - Sun., Nov. 22 @ 8:20 p.m. (Mexico City)
Bengals (-1.5) at Commanders - Mon., Nov. 23 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 12 schedule

Packers at Rams (-3.5) - Wed., Nov. 25 @ 8 p.m.
Bears at Lions (-2.5) - Thu., Nov. 26 @ 1 p.m.
Eagles at Cowboys (-1.5) - Thu., Nov. 26 @ 4:30 p.m.
Chiefs at Bills (-2.5) - Thu., Nov. 26 @ 8:20 p.m.
Broncos (-1.5) at Steelers - Fri., Nov. 27 @ 3 p.m.
Falcons at Vikings - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 1 p.m.
Giants at Colts - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 1 p.m.
Jets at Dolphins - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 1 p.m.
Raiders at Browns - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 1 p.m.
Ravens at Texans - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 1 p.m.
Saints at Bengals - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 1 p.m.
Titans at Jaguars - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 4:05 p.m.
Commanders at Cardinals - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 4:25 p.m.
Seahawks at 49ers - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 4:25 p.m.
Patriots at Chargers (-2.5) - Sun., Nov. 29 @ 8:20 p.m.
Panthers at Buccaneers (-3.5) - Mon., Nov. 30 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 13 schedule

Chiefs at Rams (-3.5) - Thu., Dec. 3 @ 8:15 p.m.
Lions at Falcons - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 1 p.m.
Jaguars at Bears - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 1 p.m.
Bengals at Browns - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 1 p.m.
Packers (-4.5) at Saints - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 1 p.m.
49ers at Giants - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 1 p.m.
Chargers at Buccaneers - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 1 p.m.
Commanders at Titans - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 1 p.m.
Eagles at Cardinals - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 4:05 p.m.
Dolphins at Broncos - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 4:05 p.m.
Bills at Patriots - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 4:25 p.m.
Panthers at Vikings - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 4:25 p.m.
Texans (-1.5) at Steelers - Sun., Dec. 6 @ 8:20 p.m.
Cowboys at Seahawks (-4.5) - Mon., Dec. 7 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 14 schedule

Vikings at Patriots (-4.5) - Thu., Dec. 10 @ 8:15 p.m.
Buccaneers at Ravens - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Saints at Panthers - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Falcons at Browns - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Titans at Lions - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Bears at Dolphins - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Broncos at Jets - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Colts at Eagles - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Texans at Commanders - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 1 p.m.
Chargers at Raiders - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 4:05 p.m.
Chiefs at Bengals - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 4:25 p.m.
Giants at Seahawks - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 4:25 p.m.
Rams at 49ers - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 4:25 p.m.
Bills at Packers (-1.5) - Sun., Dec. 13 @ 8:20 p.m.
Steelers at Jaguars (-3) - Mon., Dec. 14 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 15 schedule

49ers at Chargers (-2.5) - Thu., Dec. 17 @ 8:15 p.m.
Seahawks at Eagles - Sat., Dec. 19 @ 5 p.m.
Bears at Bills - Sat., Dec. 19 @ 8:20 p.m.
Bengals at Panthers - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Browns at Giants - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Colts at Titans - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Dolphins at Packers (-10.5) - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Falcons at Commanders - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Jaguars at Texans - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Ravens at Steelers - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Saints at Buccaneers - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 1 p.m.
Jets at Cardinals - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 4:05 p.m.
Broncos at Raiders - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 4:25 p.m.
Cowboys at Rams - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 4:25 p.m.
Lions at Vikings - Sun., Dec. 20 @ 8:20 p.m.
Patriots at Chiefs (-2.5) - Mon., Dec. 21 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 16 schedule

Texans at Eagles (-2.5) - Wed., Dec. 24 @ 8:15 p.m.
Packers at Bears (-1.5) - Fri., Dec. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Bills (-1.5) at Broncos - Fri., Dec. 25 @ 4:30 p.m.
Rams at Seahawks (-1.5) - Fri., Dec. 25 @ 8:15 p.m.
Browns at Ravens - Sun., Dec. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Cardinals at Saints - Sun., Dec. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Chargers at Dolphins - Sun., Dec. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Patriots at Jets - Sun., Dec. 27 @ 1 p.m.
Bengals at Colts - TBD
Buccaneers at Falcons - TBD
Commanders at Vikings - TBD
Panthers at Steelers - TBD
Titans at Raiders - Sun., Dec. 27 @ 4:05 p.m.
49ers at Chiefs - Sun., Dec. 27 @ 4:25 p.m.
Jaguars at Cowboys - Sun., Dec. 27 @ 8:20 p.m.
Giants at Lions (-5.5) - Mon., Dec. 28 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 17 schedule

Ravens at Bengals (-1.5) - Thu., Dec. 31 @ 8:15 p.m.
Broncos at Patriots - TBD
Chiefs at Chargers - TBD
Commanders at Jaguars - TBD
Rams at Buccaneers - TBD
Bills at Dolphins - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 1 p.m.
Colts at Browns - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 1 p.m.
Giants at Cowboys - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 1 p.m.
Saints at Falcons - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 1 p.m.
Seahawks at Panthers - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 1 p.m.
Steelers at Titans - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 1 p.m.
Vikings at Jets - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 1 p.m.
Raiders at Cardinals - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 4:05 p.m.
Lions at Bears - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 4:25 p.m.
Eagles at 49ers - Sun., Jan. 3 @ 8:20 p.m.
Texans at Packers (-2.5) - Mon., Jan. 4 @ 8:15 p.m.

NFL Week 18 schedule

49ers at Cardinals - Sun., Jan. 10
Bears at Vikings - Sun., Jan. 10
Browns at Bengals - Sun., Jan. 10
Buccaneers at Saints - Sun., Jan. 10
Chargers at Broncos - Sun., Jan. 10
Cowboys at Commanders - Sun., Jan. 10
Dolphins at Patriots - Sun., Jan. 10
Eagles at Giants - Sun., Jan. 10
Falcons at Panthers - Sun., Jan. 10
Jaguars at Colts - Sun., Jan. 10
Jets at Bills - Sun., Jan. 10
Lions at Packers (-2.5) - Sun., Jan. 10
Raiders at Chiefs - Sun., Jan. 10
Seahawks at Rams - Sun., Jan. 10
Steelers at Ravens - Sun., Jan. 10
Titans at Texans - Sun., Jan. 10

Week 18 kickoff times and game placements are determined at the end of Week 17 to consider playoff implications.

🏆 Best matchups of the 2026 NFL schedule

The NFL schedule release finally revealed when we'll see all of the marquee matchups this season - and not just between the teams. Paul broke down the best star matchups & rookie showdowns that he has his eyes on this season, including three star-studded WR vs. CB matchups and his favorite rookie clashes this year.

Here's a look at the honorable mentions beyond his top five matchups:

Week	Offensive player	Defensive player
Week 2	Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers	Jordyn Brooks, LB, Dolphins
Week 3 (SNF)	Garrett Bolles, OT, Broncos	Jared Verse, EDGE, Rams
Week 4 (SNF)	Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions	Jaycee Horn, CB, Panthers
Week 9	Quenton Nelson, OG, Colts	Quinnen Williams, IDL, Cowboys
Week 9	Trent Williams, OT, 49ers	Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Raiders
Week 10	Nico Collins, WR, Texans	Denzel Ward, CB, Browns
Week 13	Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons	Jack Campbell, LB, Lions
Week 13	Aaron Brewer, OC, Dolphins	Zach Allen, IDL, Broncos
Week 13	Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals	Cooper DeJean, NB, Eagles
Week 13 (MNF)	CeeDee Lamb/George Pickens, WRs, Cowboys	Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seahawks
Week 14	Creed Humphrey, OC, Chiefs	Dexter Lawrence, IDL, Bengals
Week 14 (TNF)	Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings	Christian Gonzalez, CB, Patriots
Week 16	Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Raiders	Jeffery Simmons, IDL, Titans
Week 16 (MNF)	Andrew Thomas, OT, Giants	Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Lions
Week 16 (MNF)	Penei Sewell, OT, Lions	Brian Burns, EDGE, Giants

🚀 NFL schedule winners & losers

After the NFL schedule release, Paul highlighted the biggest NFL schedule winners & losers for the 2026 season - including Joe Burrow and the Bengals landing as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the schedule release:

"While Joe Burrow might take his lumps early as he returns from injury with three playoff teams in the Bengals' first five games, Cincinnati has it a lot easier after its Week 6 bye. Between Week 8 and Week 18, the Bengals play teams like the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, and their division rival, the Cleveland Browns, twice."

🏈 2026 NFL season opener: Patriots vs. Seahawks in Week 1

For only the second time in NFL history, the regular season will start on a Wednesday to accommodate the league's first-ever game in Australia the following day.

As is tradition, the defending Super Bowl champions will host the annual NFL Kickoff Game with the Seahawks kicking off their title defense at Lumen Field on Sept. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC). And, in a bit of a stunner, the Seahawks will host the Patriots in Week 1 in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.

It'll mark the first title rematch to open the season since 2016. The Seahawks trounced the Patriots in a 29-13 win in February. I broke down the opening Patriots vs. Seahawks odds with my early preview for the Super Bowl rematch in Week 1, backing the defending champions to win with a plus-money bet at FanDuel.

🌍 2026 NFL international games

The NFL will play a record nine international games in 2026 across four continents and seven countries, the most in league history.

The Jaguars and 49ers each play two international games - Jacksonville will remain in London for back-to-back games in October, while San Francisco will play in the first and last international games of the season. The Steelers' trip to Paris also marks the NFL's first regular-season game in France.

Here is the full international slate for the 2026 NFL season:

Week 1: 49ers vs. Rams - Melbourne, Australia (Sept. 10)
Week 3: Ravens vs. Cowboys - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Sept. 27)
Week 4: Colts vs. Commanders - London, England (Oct. 4)
Week 5: Eagles vs. Jaguars - London, England (Oct. 11)
Week 6: Texans vs. Jaguars - London, England (Oct. 18)
Week 7: Steelers vs. Saints - Paris, France (Oct. 25)
Week 9: Bengals vs. Falcons - Madrid, Spain (Nov. 8)
Week 10: Patriots vs. Lions - Munich, Germany (Nov. 15)
Week 11: Vikings vs. 49ers - Mexico City, Mexico (Nov. 22)

We'll be updating our NFL Fatigue Index later this month to account for the physical toll of teams traveling internationally, as well as the impact of short rest and extended road trips during the 2026 NFL season for all 32 teams.

📺 2026 NFL primetime games

The 2026 NFL primetime slate features 22 Thursday Night Football games, 18 Sunday Night Football games, and 17 Monday Night Football games - including the league's first-ever Christmas Eve standalone game between the Texans and Eagles.

Thursday Night Football schedule (2026)

Week 2: Lions at Bills (Sept. 17), Prime Video
Week 3: Falcons at Packers (Sept. 24), Prime Video
Week 4: Steelers at Browns (Oct. 1), Prime Video
Week 5: Buccaneers at Cowboys (Oct. 8), Prime Video
Week 6: Seahawks at Broncos (Oct. 15), Prime Video
Week 7: Patriots at Bears (Oct. 22), Prime Video
Week 8: Panthers at Packers (Oct. 29), Prime Video
Week 9: Jaguars at Ravens (Nov. 5), Prime Video
Week 10: Commanders at Giants (Nov. 12), Prime Video
Week 11: Colts at Texans (Nov. 19), Prime Video
Week 13: Chiefs at Rams (Dec. 3), Prime Video
Week 14: Vikings at Patriots (Dec. 10), Prime Video
Week 15: 49ers at Chargers (Dec. 17), Prime Video
Week 17: Ravens at Bengals (Dec. 31), Prime Video

Sunday Night Football schedule (2026)

Week 1: Cowboys at Giants (Sept. 13), NBC
Week 2: Colts at Chiefs (Sept. 20), NBC
Week 3: Rams at Broncos (Sept. 27), NBC
Week 4: Lions at Panthers (Oct. 4), NBC
Week 5: Ravens at Falcons (Oct. 11), NBC
Week 6: Cowboys at Packers (Oct. 18), NBC
Week 7: Chiefs at Seahawks (Oct. 25), NBC
Week 8: Eagles at Commanders (Nov. 1), NBC
Week 9: Buccaneers at Bears (Nov. 8), NBC
Week 10: Steelers at Bengals (Nov. 15), NBC
Week 11: Vikings vs. 49ers - Mexico City (Nov. 22), NBC
Week 12: Patriots at Chargers (Nov. 29), NBC
Week 13: Texans at Steelers (Dec. 6), NBC
Week 15: Lions at Vikings (Dec. 20), NBC
Week 16: Jaguars at Cowboys (Dec. 27), NBC
Week 17: Eagles at 49ers (Jan. 3), NBC

Monday Night Football schedule (2026)

Week 1: Broncos at Chiefs (Sept. 14), ESPN/ABC
Week 2: Giants at Rams (Sept. 21), ESPN/ABC
Week 3: Eagles at Bears (Sept. 28), ESPN/ABC
Week 4: Falcons at Saints (Oct. 5), ESPN/ABC
Week 5: Bills at Rams (Oct. 12), ESPN/ABC
Week 6: Commanders at 49ers (Oct. 19), ESPN/ABC
Week 7: Cowboys at Eagles (Oct. 26), ESPN/ABC
Week 8: Bears at Seahawks (Nov. 2), ESPN/ABC
Week 9: Bills at Vikings (Nov. 9), ESPN/ABC
Week 10: Chargers at Ravens (Nov. 16), ESPN/ABC
Week 11: Bengals at Commanders (Nov. 23), ESPN/ABC
Week 12: Panthers at Buccaneers (Nov. 30), ESPN/ABC
Week 13: Cowboys at Seahawks (Dec. 7), ESPN/ABC
Week 14: Steelers at Jaguars (Dec. 14), ESPN/ABC
Week 15: Patriots at Chiefs (Dec. 21), ESPN/ABC
Week 16: Giants at Lions (Dec. 28), ESPN/ABC
Week 17: Texans at Packers (Jan. 4), ESPN/ABC

🎄 2026 NFL holiday games

The NFL stacked the holiday schedule more aggressively than ever in 2026 with a record number of games across Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's - including the league's first-ever Christmas Eve standalone game and a Wednesday night Thanksgiving Eve game.

Thanksgiving Eve

Packers at Rams - Wed., Nov. 25 @ 8 p.m., Netflix

Thanksgiving Day

Bears at Lions - Thu., Nov. 26 @ 1 p.m., CBS
Eagles at Cowboys - Thu., Nov. 26 @ 4:30 p.m., FOX
Chiefs at Bills - Thu., Nov. 26 @ 8:20 p.m., NBC

Black Friday

Broncos at Steelers - Fri., Nov. 27 @ 3 p.m., Prime Video

Christmas Eve

Texans at Eagles - Wed., Dec. 24 @ 8:15 p.m.

Christmas Day

Packers at Bears - Fri., Dec. 25 @ 1 p.m.
Bills at Broncos - Fri., Dec. 25 @ 4:30 p.m.
Rams at Seahawks - Fri., Dec. 25 @ 8:15 p.m.

New Year's Eve

Ravens at Bengals - Thu., Dec. 31 @ 8:15 p.m., Prime Video

📅 2026 NFL season key dates

See our full breakdown of the NFL schedule & key dates for the 2026-27 season.

Schedule release: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 8 p.m. ET
Hall of Fame Game: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026 (matchup TBD)
Preseason Weeks 1-3: Aug. 7-23, 2026
Roster cutdown to 53: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026
Season opener (NFL Kickoff): Wednesday, Sept. 9 (Patriots vs. Seahawks)
Trade deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 10, 2027
Wild Card weekend: Jan. 16-18, 2027
Divisional Round: Jan. 23-24, 2027
Conference Championships: Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027
Pro Bowl Games: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2027
Super Bowl LXI: Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027 at SoFi Stadium

📜 How does the NFL schedule work?

The NFL schedule creation may seem random to the casual fan, but it actually follows a detailed formula that determines each team's opponents before league officials determine the final order and comprehensive 18-week schedule.

How are opponents determined?

Every team plays 17 regular-season games across 18 weeks with one bye week. The league uses a rotation system that ensures every team plays every other team at least once every four years. Here's how each team's 17 opponents are determined:

Six division games (home and away vs. each division opponent)
Four games vs. all teams in one other division within the same conference (3-year rotation)
Four games vs. all teams in one division from the opposite conference (4-year rotation)
Two games vs. teams in the remaining two same-conference divisions, matched by prior year standings
One game vs. a team from the opposite conference, matched by prior year standings (the 17th game, added in 2021)

For 2026, the cross-conference matchups are:

NFC East vs. AFC South
NFC North vs. AFC West
NFC South vs. AFC East
NFC West vs. AFC North

How are home games and bye weeks decided?

NFC teams will host nine regular-season home games in 2026, while AFC teams will host eight. The conferences alternate each year. Every team gets one bye week scheduled between Weeks 5 and 14, with schedulers trying to avoid giving teams an opponent coming off a bye whenever possible.

Who makes the official NFL schedule?

The schedule is built by a small group of NFL executives - led by EVP of Media Distribution Hans Schroeder, VP of Broadcasting Planning Michael North, and VP of Broadcast Operations Onnie Bose - with help from thousands of cloud-based computers that generate thousands of possible schedule variations. The final 272-game slate is then selected from those options based on travel, competitive balance, broadcast partner needs and stadium availability.

How does NFL flex scheduling work?

While the schedule is "set" in mid-May, the NFL introduced "flex scheduling" in 2006 to allow league officials to move late-season games into better time slots to maximize viewership - a key tactic to avoid losing teams in key TV windows late in the year.

Sunday Night Football flexes are available twice between Weeks 5-10 and as needed Weeks 11-17. Monday Night Football flexes are eligible Weeks 12-17, and Thursday Night Football flexes can happen Weeks 13-17 (max two per season, announced 21 days in advance). In Week 18, the league waits until the end of Week 17 to set kickoff times based on playoff implications.

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Written by:
C Jackson Cowart

C Jackson Cowart is the Senior Publishing Editor at Sportsbook Review, specializing in NFL and NASCAR betting while helping lead the team's coverage of college sports and major events like the Super Bowl and March Madness. In his seven years covering sports betting as a predictive analyst, features writer, and industry reporter, he has stayed true to "process over results" while specifically targeting futures betting and news-driven markets, where he can lean on advanced metrics and an understanding of market psychology to attack value before the number moves. His favorite sportsbook is FanDuel for its clean interface and ease of use, though he finds some of his best value bets at Caesars and bet365, especially for NASCAR. An award-winning writer and editor with a decade of experience in sports media, "C-Jax" has worked with ESPN, Forbes, theScore, and multiple large daily newspapers before joining SBR in 2023. He's a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina, where he covered the Tar Heels' championship run through the 2017 NCAA men's basketball tournament. He's cashed some big tickets over the years — including Lamar Jackson to win MVP (twice) — but he's still haunted by enough second-place slips to wallpaper his home office.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) takes the field before an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Dec. 21, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.