For any fans that wanted the Buffalo Bills to open up their 2026 season at home in their new stadium, they will now have to wait until Week 2 to do so. The Bills are set to open up their new stadium against the Detroit Lions in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football, so that means that their Week 1 matchup will be on the road.
The Bills haven’t opened up their season on the road since 2023 when they took on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles four plays into the season, but the Jets escaped with a 22-16 overtime win. The Jets' defense embarrassed the Bills in the second half and Buffalo just ultimately fell apart.
For the past two seasons, the Bills opened up their season against the Cardinals in 2024, and then the Ravens in 2025 where Buffalo won both of those games to start out 1-0. Now that they are ready to go on the road in Week 1, we have a ranking of the best Week 1 matchups for the Bills away from Orchard Park.
Best Week 1 matchups for Bills to start 2026 season
3.) @ New York Jets
A divisional game right off the bat. Just like three years ago, the Bills heading to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Jets would be the safest option for Buffalo to start out their season. The Jets had a very good draft last month, but with Geno Smith under center, they are still going to have some growing pains. Buffalo would have the chance to have a bit of a “warm up” game here against the Jets.
2.) @ Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos were the ones that not only eliminated the Bills from the playoffs, they ultimately started the domino effect that was Sean McDermott getting fired two days after the loss. The Broncos have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL and they are a contender from here on out. This would be a great first test for the Bills to kick off the season.
1.) @ New England Patriots
This would be the perfect Week 1 matchup for the Bills on the road. Going into Foxborough to take on Drake Maye and the New England Patriots and setting the tone for how the AFC East will be for the season. The Patriots took the division away from Buffalo last year, but now they will have a much tougher schedule and they didn’t add a ton of great talent this offseason.
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