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There are fewer Thursday Night Football snoozers, more holiday matchups, some international flavor, and a heavy dose of Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football blockbusters.
It's about the contenders. The Rams tied an NFL record with seven prime-time games this season. Buffalo, Green Bay, Kansas City, and Seattle have six prime-time games each, and Chicago, Dallas, New England, Philadelphia, and San Francisco have five games apiece.
Ranking NFL prime-time games in 2026
1. Bills at Rams (Week 5, MNF)
The Rams beat the Bills 44-42 in the teams' last meeting in 2024, and this is as always a popular Super Bowl pick. It's Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford in a battle of the last two AP NFL MVP winners.
2. Rams at Seahawks (Week 16, Christmas)
Three one-score games between these NFC West rivals told the story in the NFC last season, and this game could be for the NFC West on Christmas night.
3. Chiefs at Bills (Week 12, Thanksgiving)
How else would you spend Thanksgiving Night? The annual matchup between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen should keep you awake.
4. Patriots at Seahawks (Week 1, NFL Kickoff)
5. Ravens at Bengals (Week 17, TNF)
The AFC North could be on the line here, and Cincinnati gets Baltimore at home in prime-time for once. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson will be in the spotlight.
6. Bears at Bills (Week 15, Saturday)
Will this be a Super Bowl preview? This is the Bears' highest-profile prime-time game on the road, where the Bills will be waiting.
7. 49ers vs. Rams (Week 1, TNF)
The Melbourne Game in Australia features NFC West rivals – and five of the last six meetings have been decided by one score. This is a blockbuster matchup to start the NFL International Series.
8. Lions at Bills (Week 2, TNF)
A pair of top-five offenses square off in the Bills' home opener at the new Highmark Stadium. This is a great way to keep Thursday Night Football going.
9. Broncos at Chiefs (Week 1, MNF)
Will Patrick Mahomes return from a torn ACL for the Chiefs in the home opener? The Broncos broke Kansas City's streak of nine consecutive AFC West division championships last season.
10. Packers at Rams (Week 12, Wednesday)
11. Bears at Seahawks (Week 8, MNF)
If Chicago really is a Super Bowl contender, this is the kind of prime-time statement the franchise can make against Seattle, who have won five of their last six MNF home games.
12. Chiefs at Rams (Week 13, TNF)
It will never live up to the legendary 54-51 Monday Night Football game between these teams in 2018, but this matchup should not disappoint.
13. Bills at Packers (Week 14, SNF)
Josh Allen and Jordan Love should put on a show at Lambeau Field in what should be a high-scoring late-season contest.
14. Patriots at Bears (Week 7, TNF)
The last time Drake Maye and Caleb Williams squared off, the Pats won 19-3 and Williams was sacked nine times. This game should be much more entertaining.
15. Cowboys at Packers (Week 6, SNF)
It's a rematch of last year's 40-40 shootout on Sunday Night Football, and Micah Parsons definitely should be back for this one. Will Dak Prescott get the win?
16. Patriots at Chiefs (MNF, Week 15)
17. Cowboys at Giants (Week 1, SNF)
John Harbaugh makes his Giants' debut against the Cowboys. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott is 14-3 as a starter against New York. It's the perfect start to the Sunday Night Football schedule.
18. Chiefs at Seahawks (Week 7, SNF)
Kenneth Walker III – the Super Bowl MVP – comes into focus with the Chiefs going against the Seahawks. Kansas City can make a statement on the road here.
19. Cowboys at Eagles (Week 7, MNF)
It's always entertaining when these NFC East rivals hook up, and last year's games were decided by a combined total of seven points.
20. Rams at Broncos (Week 3, SNF)
The Rams go from Melbourne in Week 1 to Mile High in Week 3 for a challenging matchup against the Broncos, who were 9-2 at home including playoffs last season.
21. Eagles at Bears (Week 3, MNF)
The Bears beat the Eagles 24-15 on Black Friday last season. This game offers an early-season heat check for Nick Sirianni.
22. Falcons at Packers (Week 3, TNF)
It's the Packers' home opener, and it could line up with the return of edge rusher Micah Parsons against an Atlanta offense that features do-everything running back Bijan Robinson.
23. Seahawks at Broncos (Week 6, TNF)
This was almost the Super Bowl matchup last season. Sam Darnold and Bo Nix should put on a show during Thursday Night Football.
24. Chargers at Ravens (Week 10, MNF)
It's Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert, and the Ravens won the last prime-time matchup 30-24 in 2024. Jim Harbaugh meets Jesse Minter, his former defensive coordinator.
25. Buccaneers at Bears (Week 9, SNF)
It's Baker Mayfield vs. Caleb Williams in a battle between Heisman Trophy winners who played for Lincoln Riley.
26. Vikings at 49ers (Week 11, SNF)
It's a Sunday Night Football matchup in Mexico City – and another fun part of the NFL International Series.
MORE: Every NFL team's strength of schedule in 2026
27. Commanders at Bengals (Week 11, MNF)
The last time these teams met in prime-time in 2024, Jayden Daniels led Washington to a 38-33 victory against Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati in a battle of LSU Heisman Trophy-winning QBs.
28. 49ers at Chargers (Week 15, MNF)
Jim Harbaugh faces his former team in a West Coast battle that could be huge in the playoff race for both teams.
29. Texans at Eagles (Week 16, TNF)
Houston has four prime-time games this season, and this late-season matchup at Philadelphia will have playoff implications.
30. Steelers at Bengals (Week 10, SNF)
We don't know who the Steelers' quarterback will be yet, but this AFC North rivalry never disappoints.
Best of the rest
31. Eagles at 49ers (SNF, Week 17)
32. Patriots at Chargers (Week 12, SNF)
33. Cowboys at Seahawks (Week 13, MNF)
34. Falcons at Saints (Week 4, MNF)
35. Texans at Packers (Week 17, MNF)
36. Jaguars at Ravens (Week 9, TNF)
37. Eagles at Commanders (Week 8, SNF)
38. Panthers at Buccaneers (Week 12, MNF)
39. Commanders at 49ers (Week 6, MNF)
40. Texans at Steelers (Week 13, SNF)
41. Steelers at Jaguars (Week 14, MNF)
42. Buccaneers at Cowboys (Week 5, TNF)
43. Panthers at Packers (Week 8, TNF)
44. Colts at Texans (Week 11, TNF)
45. Colts at Chiefs (Week 2, SNF)
46. Giants at Lions (Week 17, MNF)
47. Jaguars at Cowboys (Week 16, SNF)
48. Commanders at Giants (Week 10, TNF)
49. Lions at Panthers (Week 4, SNF)
50. Lions at Vikings (SNF, Week 15)
51. Ravens at Falcons (Week 5, SNF)
52. Giants at Rams, (Week 2, MNF)
53. Bills at Vikings (Week 9, MNF)
54. Steelers at Browns (Week 4, TNF)
55. Vikings at Patriots (Week 14, TNF)
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