Welcome to Week 1 of the 2026 regular season.Beginning with a Super Bowl LX rematch on Wednesday night in Seattle and closing with Patrick Mahomes’s (likely) return for the Chiefs on Monday in Kansas City, we have 16 games—that actually matter, mind you, unlike the preseason—to watch, dissect and overreact to over the next six days. Now, I could give a long-winded introduction here, breaking down the ins and outs of the offseason that was across the league, but why bury the lede? Football’s back!Here’s a snapshot preview of all 16 games for Week 1, ranked from least to most watchable.16. Dolphins at RaidersKirk Cousins will start the season at quarterback for the Raiders. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las VegasTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: FoxThe Dolphins own arguably the NFL’s weakest roster, top to bottom, and they’re headed to Sin City in Week 1 to take on the Raiders, who finished last season with a 3–14 record—the worst in the league. The only thing that would have made this matchup remotely interesting is if rookie No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza were starting at quarterback. Instead, Las Vegas will begin the year with veteran Kirk Cousins under center. 15. Jets at TitansRobert Saleh opens the 2026 season against the team he used to coach. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Nissan Stadium, NashvilleTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: CBSIt’ll be a Robert Saleh revenge game this weekend as the Jets head to Nashville to take on the Titans. New York added some much-needed reinforcements to its defense this offseason—signing DeMario Davis and trading for Minkah Fitzpatrick—while Tennessee enters Year 2 of the Cam Ward era. 14. Falcons at SteelersTua Tagovailoa was named the Falcons' starter this week. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Acrisure Stadium, PittsburghTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: FoxThe Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa their starting quarterback on Monday—that is, at least for Week 1, while Michael Penix Jr. continues his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered last season. Atlanta will take on the Steelers on Sunday afternoon as Pittsburgh begins its first season under new head coach Mike McCarthy.13. Cardinals at ChargersMike McDaniel is entering his first season as the Chargers' OC. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.Time: 4:25 p.m. ETWhere to watch: CBSThe braintrust that is Jim Harbaugh and Mike McDaniel will get their first crack at calling an offense run by the newly engaged Justin Herbert when they welcome the Cardinals to SoFi Stadium on Sunday. For Arizona, it’s the debut of both head coach Mike LaFleur and (hopefully) running back Jeremiyah Love.12. Browns at JaguarsTravis Hunter tore his LCL at the end of last season. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: EverBank Stadium, JacksonvilleTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: CBSThe Jaguars exceeded expectations in 2025, going 14–3 and winning the AFC South in Liam Coen’s first season at the helm. Now, they’ll have dual-threat Travis Hunter back after he tore his LCL last November. As for the Browns? Well, they continue to be the Browns. They traded Myles Garrett this offseason and will trot out Deshaun Watson under center to begin the campaign. 11. Packers at VikingsKyler Murray signed with the Vikings this offseason. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, MinneapolisTime: 4:25 p.m. ET Where to watch: CBSThe lowest-ranked in-division matchup of Week 1 belongs to the Packers and Vikings, simply because a) there are only five of them and b) Minnesota is such a mystery right now. They’re set to open the season with their fourth different Week 1 starting quarterback in as many years, with Kyler Murray taking over after signing for the veteran minimum this offseason.10. Ravens at ColtsJesse Minter is taking over for John Harbaugh with the Ravens. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, IndianapolisTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: CBSJesse Minter was handed the keys to one of the more talented rosters in football this offseason when he took over as the Ravens’ head coach. In his first game in charge, Baltimore will take on the Colts—who began the 2025 season 8–3 and with one of the better offenses in NFL history before quarterback Daniel Jones tore his ACL in Week 13. 9. Saints at LionsKellen Moore is entering his second season as the Saints' head coach. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Ford Field, DetroitTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: FoxDespite going just 6–11 in 2025, the Saints are one of the more intriguing teams in the league this year thanks to the play they got from quarterback Tyler Shough last season. The rookie second-round pick completed 67.6% of his passes for 10 touchdowns and six interceptions while posting a passer rating of 91.3. New Orleans heads to Detroit in Week 1 to play the Lions—who are coming off a disappointing last-place finish in the NFC North. 8. Commanders at EaglesDontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown will help replace A.J. Brown in Philadelphia. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Lincoln Financial Field, PhiladelphiaTime: 4:25 p.m. ETWhere to watch: FoxIt’s been a roller coaster of an offseason for the Eagles, who finally traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots after what seemed to be years of speculation. Now, Jalen Hurts will throw to the likes of Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon—as well as DeVonta Smith, who’s been with Philadelphia since 2021 and will now be the No. 1 target—as he gets settled under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. On the other side of this Week 1 matchup will be the Commanders, who enter 2026 with a healthy Jayden Daniels as they look to return to the postseason.7. Bears at PanthersBen Johnson and Caleb Williams led the Bears to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs in 2025. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Bank of America Stadium, CharlotteTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: FoxThe Bears are entering 2026 with high expectations as head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams enter their second season together. They’ll open up the year on the road against the Panthers—who are also expected to be competitive after winning the NFC South (despite an 8–9 record) last season and nearly knocking off the Rams in the wild-card round last January. Notably, this is the third matchup between Chicago and Carolina since their blockbuster 2023 trade that landed the Panthers the No. 1 pick in the draft—which they turned into Bryce Young. 6. Cowboys at GiantsJaxson Dart and the Giants will take on the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week 1. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.Time: 8:20 p.m. ETWhere to watch: NBCIt’s been a roller coaster of an offseason for the Eagles, who finally traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots after what seemed to be years of speculation. Now, Jalen Hurts will throw to the likes of Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon—as well as DeVonta Smith, who’s been with Philadelphia since 2021 and will now be the No. 1 target—as he gets settled under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. On the other side of this Week 1 matchup will be the Commanders, who enter 2026 with a healthy Jayden Daniels as they look to return to the postseason.5. Buccaneers at BengalsBaker Mayfield signed a new contract with the Buccaneers this week. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Paycor Stadium, CincinnatiTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: FoxWe could be in for a high-scoring affair when the Buccaneers visit the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday. Both offenses are equipped with dynamic wide receivers duos—Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Cincinnati, and Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka in Tampa Bay—as well as quarterbacks in Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield who love to sling the rock. 4. Bills at TexansJosh Allen and the Bills will visit the Texans in Week 1. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Sunday, Sept. 13Location: Reliant Stadium, HoustonTime: 1:00 p.m. ETWhere to watch: CBSVoted by folks around the league to be the best quarterback in the NFL at the end of 2026, Josh Allen and the Bills are headed to Houston this Sunday to take on the Texans—who just so happen to boast one of the league’s top defenses. That chess match aside, this one also features head coach Joe Brady’s debut as Buffalo’s head coach and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud looking to bounce back after an abysmal performance in last season’s playoff loss to the Patriots.3. Patriots at SeahawksThe 2026 NFL season will begin with a Super Bowl LX rematch. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Wednesday, Sept. 9Location: Lumen Field, SeattleTime: 8:20 p.m. ETWhere to watch: NBCThe 2026 season will begin with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the Seahawks and the Patriots. Their last bout—a 29–13 win for Seattle—was far less competitive than what the final score indicated, but New England enters this one with a new-look offense thanks to offseason additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs and has a chance to immediately prove if they’ve closed the gap on the defending champions.2. Broncos at ChiefsThe Broncos and Chiefs will open the season on Monday Night Football. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectDate: Monday, Sept. 14Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.Time: 8:20 p.m. ETWhere to watch: ABC/ESPNAfter winning nine consecutive AFC West titles from 2016 to ’24, the Chiefs went just 6–11 last season and lost the division to the Broncos—who also finished with the conference’s No. 1 seed. This week-closing Monday Night Football matchup is going to be a must watch—that is, so long as Patrick Mahomes returns from the knee injury that prematurely ended his 2025 campaign.1. 49ers at RamsSean McVay and Kyle Shanahan will meet for the 20th time on Thursday night. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectDate: Thursday, Sept. 10Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, AustraliaTime: 8:35 p.m. ETWhere to watch: NetflixThe first of the NFL’s nine(!) International Series games in 2026 also happens to be the best one, as the Rams and 49ers will square off in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday night. No two coaches know each other quite like Los Angeles’s Sean McVay and San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan, who, after working together under Mike Shanahan in Washington from 2010 to ’13, made the jump to the NFC West as head coaches in ’17. Since then, the 49ers own an 11–8 record against the Rams, with their 20th matchup coming on a prime-time stage.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow