The 2026 NFL season schedule release is imminent. The order of the games will be revealed next Thursday on NFL Network, ESPN2, the ESPN App and NFL+.
Even without knowing the exact dates, some matchups already stand out.
Anticipated Games of the 2026 Season
There are some matchups that will be highly anticipated, no matter which week hosts them. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks and the Patriots each appear three times. The Rams, Chiefs, Ravens and Bills land on the list twice apiece.
Six more teams are featured once. This selection of teams is based on the information available and is a meritocracy.
Seahawks vs. Rams: A Rivalry Renewed
The Seahawks and Rams are set to clash again. The Week 16 battle at Lumen Field was NFL Media’s No. 1-ranked Game of the Year for 2025. It featured a comeback by the Seahawks that ended in overtime on Seattle’s third two-point conversion in the final 15 minutes of the game.
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.
These division rivals could be the top two Super Bowl contenders entering the season. Both regular-season matchups should be fantastic.
Mahomes vs. Allen: A Quarterback Duel
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.
Mahomes’ torn ACL and the Chiefs missing the playoffs have raised the anxiety level in Kansas City, especially as Travis Kelce enters what could be his final NFL season. Of course, they’re anxious in Buffalo, too, with the Bills losing the division last season and failing to take advantage of a wide-open AFC playoff f
Once the schedule is released next Thursday, the list of anticipated games could change slightly.More Sports News