Week 1 NFL Schedule Ranked, Chiefs vs. Broncos Leads Top Spot

The NFL’s Week 1 slate for the 2026 season includes 16 games, beginning with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The Patriots have added receivers A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs and tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker, while parting with Stefon Diggs. Seattle retains most of its championship roster but will need to replace running back Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The top-ranked game pits the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos in the Monday night slot. Patrick Mahomes returns, and the Chiefs aim to rebound after missing the playoffs last season. Denver, now considered the AFC West’s leading contender, will start quarterback Bo Nix, who is fully healthy and paired with new top receiver Jaylen Waddle.

Sunday night’s marquee matchup features the New York Giants against the Dallas Cowboys. The Giants, under head coach John Harbaugh, rely on a youthful group of playmakers, while the Cowboys look to improve a defense that was a focus of offseason work after posting one of the league’s most productive offenses last year.

Other notable games include the Los Angeles Rams versus the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, the Philadelphia Eagles taking on the Washington Commanders, and the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the Houston Texans. The schedule also highlights quarterback debuts and transitions, such as Malik Willis’s first appearance for the Miami Dolphins and Kyler Murray’s first start for the Minnesota Vikings.

Several teams are seeking to build on strong finishes from the previous season, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hope to translate a 13-win campaign into back-to-back playoff appearances, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, reuniting Aaron Rodgers with former Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy for the opening game against the Atlanta Falcons.