The Bills came up short again in the playoffs last season, but this exit was followed by a major change: the firing of coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons, and the promotion of offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach.
The leadership might be a bit different in 2026, but the goal of winning a championship or at least getting to a Super Bowl remains the same. As long as Josh Allen is under center, the Bills believe that kind of run is possible.
With the addition of DJ Moore to the offense and largely the same defensive core returning, the Bills have a chance to be kings of the AFC for the first time in the Allen era. One look at their schedule tells you they will be battle-tested by the time they reach the playoffs, provided they make it back.
Here is a complete breakdown of the Bills' 2026 schedule, including dates, start times and analysis for all 17 games.
Buffalo Bills schedule 2026
Home opponents: Bears, Chargers, Chiefs, Dolphins, Jets, Lions, Patriots, Ravens
Away opponents: Broncos, Dolphins, Jets, Packers, Patriots, Raiders, Rams, Texans, Vikings
Every NFL team's 2026 opponents are predetermined. The Bills full 2026 NFL schedule with dates, times and TV networks will be updated below when the NFL schedule is announced at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 14.
Week Date Opponent Kickoff time (ET) TV channel
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Buffalo Bills strength of schedule
The Bills entered last season with the 23rd-toughest schedule based on opponent win percentage from the previous year, thanks partly to favorable matchups with the NFC South, but that is set to change this season.
Buffalo's schedule ranks as the 8th-hardest slate this season, even without earning a first-place schedule after finishing behind the Patriots in the AFC East.
Toughest tests: The Bills will again face the Patriots twice in what could be blockbuster matchups, but they also have to go on the road to face the Broncos, Packers, Texans and Rams after all made the playoffs and three reached the divisional round last season. Buffalo's home slate includes the Chiefs, Chargers, Bears, Lions and Ravens, so there aren't many breaks for Joe Brady in year one.
Biggest breaks: So, where are the breaks? Two matchups against the Dolphins and two more against the Jets should be major opportunities to stack wins, though there isn't another home game that can be characterized as "easy" for the Bills. On the road, Buffalo's slate includes a game in Las Vegas against the Raiders.
Buffalo Bills record prediction
Over/under win total: 10.5
Bottom line: The Bills didn't win the AFC East in 2025, but they might have been a stroke of luck away from reaching the AFC championship game and having a good chance to reach the Super Bowl. While new head coach Joe Brady still has to prove himself, Buffalo didn't make wholesale changes to its roster this offseason and has a chance to compete for a championship as long as Josh Allen is under center. As the Bills found out last season, however, coming up short in one too many of these tough matchups can cost them home-field advantage, which can make a major difference in January.
Record prediction: 12-5