After the official NFL schedule release on Thursday, May 14, teams now know where they’ll be playing during the 2026-27 season. This year’s NFL season features nine international games, the usual Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, and Christmas slate, and a ton of potential memorable matchups.
What are the best NFL matchups each week? To determine the best matchups, we looked at the best storylines, quarterback matchups, past matchups that wowed, and other factors that would attract a viewer to an NFL matchup.
With 18 weeks of action this will be split up into three parts beginning with Weeks 1-6, then to Weeks 7-12, and rounding out with Weeks 13-18.
(All times in EST)
Week 1: New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks – September 9, 8:20 p.m.
On Wednesday, Sep. 9, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will face off in a Super Bowl 60 rematch on NBC to begin the NFL Season. Wednesday will be an unusual start to the season because of the Thursday night matchup in Melbourne, Australia, between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
Last season, Sam Darnold and the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13 in the Super Bowl with their dominant defense, but if the Patriots land Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, the matchup could look completely different.
Week 2: Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans – September 20, 1:00 p.m.
A matchup between Joe Burrow‘s offense and Will Anderson‘s defense in Week 2 of the NFL season will be must-see TV. With the return of receiver Tank Dell, Nico Collins will now have his running mate back, the one who wreaked havoc before a gruesome injury in a December 2024 matchup with the Chiefs. Dell was productive for the Texans in his first two years, totaling 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns.
For the Bengals, receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will face a physical secondary led by Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, and will allow fans to see the best-on-best for four straight quarters.
Last time these two teams played, in Week 10 of the 2023 season, the Texans edged the Bengals 30-27 behind 356 yards, a touchdown, and an interception from Stroud. Burrow threw for 347 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the loss. Another duel in early September should not disappoint.
Week 3: Los Angeles Chargers @ Buffalo Bills – September 27, 1:00 p.m.
Last time these two teams faced off, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen faced Los Angeles Chargers backup quarterback Easton Stick during Week 16 of the 2023 season that resulted in a 24-22 win for the Bills. This time around, things should look different as Allen faces Justin Herbert in a Week 3 matchup.
The Chargers recently acquired former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, creating a dynamic duo with second-year tight end Oronde Gadsden II. Gadsden finished last season with 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season. Not only did the tight end room get stronger, but the Chargers have running back Omarion Hampton and wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston to balance out the offensive attack.
For the Bills, Allen will still have running back James Cook and receiver Khalil Shakir, while adding former Bears receiver DJ Moore in a trade for a 2026 second-round pick and 2026 fourth-round pick, Skyler Bell.
Bell was drafted out of UConn and finished his 2025 campaign catching 101 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. His presence could give Allen another reliable option outside of Moore and Shakir and turn the Week 3 matchup into an offensive showdown.
Week 4: Jacksonville Jaguars @ Bengals – October 4, 1:00 p.m.
In Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season, the Bengals defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-27. Burrow left the game early with a toe injury, which left backup Jake Browning to hold it down for the Bengals. Browning delivered with 241 yards and two touchdowns despite his three picks, while Lawrence threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns with two picks. Ultimately, the Jaguars were unable to stop Chase, who caught 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.
Now that the Jaguars are improved on the offensive end with the addition of Jakobi Meyers, both offenses could score a lot of points and produce another instant classic. This also gives the Jaguars’ defense another opportunity to try to slow down a top-three receiver in Chase.
Week 5: Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams – October 12, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
The Rams will host the Bills in Los Angeles’ fourth primetime game in five weeks on Monday Night Football. The Rams have seven primetime games total and will have faced the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and 49ers in that slot coming into the matchup. Last year’s Most Valuable Player, Matthew Stafford, looks to duel Allen and show why this team earned a heavy primetime schedule.
Last time these two teams played, the Rams won a 44-42 offensive shootout in Week 14 of the 2024 season. Allen finished with six total touchdowns (three rushing, three passing), but his efforts fell short due to wide receiver Puka Nacua catching 12 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown.
This offseason, the Bills invested in their secondary by drafting South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore and Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, hoping to better defend the NFL’s best pass catchers. This time around, the Bills will see Nacua paired alongside Davante Adams.
Week 6: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – October 18, 1:00 p.m.
With the recent news of Aaron Rodgers re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers becomes much more interesting. Yes, there’s the quarterback battle of Rodgers vs Baker Mayfield, but both these offenses bring firepower in their skill positions as well.
For the Buccaneers, they’ll have a backfield highlighted by running back Bucky Irving alongside newly acquired running back Kenneth Gainwell, who spent last season with the Steelers and had his best year to date. At the receiver position, the trio of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan poses a threat. Add in tight end Cade Otton, and the Buccaneers have one of their best passing attacks yet, even without Mike Evans.
The Steelers rebranded their offense by adding receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and running back Rico Dowdle in free agency, while adding Alabama Crimson Tide wideout Germie Bernard. The Steelers also add that group of talent to a well-established group of weapons in receiver DK Metcalf, running back Jaylen Warren, tight end Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
The post What Are the Best NFL Matchups of the 2026 Season? Weeks 1-6 appeared first on The Lead.