Anxiety surrounds the Kansas City Chiefs as the 2026 NFL season approaches.
Patrick Mahomes’ torn ACL and the team missing the playoffs have heightened concerns. Travis Kelce is also nearing what could be his final season in the NFL.
Mahomes vs Allen: A Rivalry Renewed
Anytime Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen lock horns, it’s a reason to celebrate.
This year’s meeting of the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks might carry a little additional zest in the Chiefs-Bills rivalry.
The Chiefs and Bills have met 10 times in the 2020s, resulting in an even 5-5 split.
Potential Super Bowl Contenders
It’s not a stretch to suggest that division rivals could be the top two Super Bowl contenders entering the season.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 NFL season schedule includes some highly anticipated matchups.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks and the Patriots each appear three times on the list of top games to watch. The Rams, Chiefs, Ravens and Bills land on the list twice apiece.
- Seahawks
- Patriots
- Rams
- Chiefs
- Ravens
- Bills
The Week 16 battle at Lumen Field was NFL Media’s No. 1-ranked Game of the Year for 2025. That game featured a wild comeback by the Seahawks that ended in overtime on Seattle’s third two-point conversion in the final 15 minutes. That win gave the Seahawks a major edge in earning the NFC’s top seed, kicking the Rams down to the fifth seed.
The rematch was another thriller that came down to the final play, sending the Rams home and the Seahawks to Super Bowl LX, which they’d win handily. Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold each threw for 300-plus yards, three TDs and no picks in the teams’ third classic battle of the season. Doesn’t get much better.
Once we learn the order of the games, this list could change slightly. I tried my best to single out the games that carry the most potential weight right now, regardless of where they’re slotted. I also tried to balance out the selection of teams as best as possible, even though there really is a small, elite group of teams that rose farther to the top.
The 2026 NFL season promises compelling contests, with rivalries and potential Super Bowl previews already generating buzz.