The wait is nearly finally over. The 2026 NFL regular season is here, and Week 1 offers 16 games spread across four days. From a Super Bowl rematch to the league’s first regular-season game in Australia, there are plenty of intriguing matchups to consider before locking in your picks.
I’ll make my weekly picks all season along but welcome your company with each week. Who does TurfShowTimes think will win each game in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season? Make your picks below!
The NFL season begins with a Super Bowl LX rematch. The Seahawks return home looking to defend their championship, while the Patriots get an immediate opportunity to prove they can contend again in the AFC. Seattle will have to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who is now with Kansas City, while New England will look to make life difficult for the Seahawks’ offense. The biggest questions involve how both teams have changed since their championship matchup and which team handles the pressure of opening the season under the national spotlight.
The NFC West rivalry gets an unusual setting as the Rams and 49ers meet at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. This is the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, adding an additional layer to an already important divisional matchup. Travel, preparation and the unusual game environment could all become factors. Sean McVay’s Rams enter the season with major expectations, while Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers will try to establish themselves immediately in the division. The battle in the trenches and the ability of each offense to find a rhythm overseas will be worth watching.
Two former No. 1 overall picks headline this matchup as Caleb Williams and the Bears travel to face Bryce Young and the Panthers. Williams enters his second season looking to continue his development, while Young is attempting to build on the progress he showed last season. Chicago’s defense could create problems if it generates consistent pressure, while Carolina needs to find ways to keep its offense on schedule. The quarterback matchup naturally receives the most attention, but whichever team controls the line of scrimmage could have a significant advantage.
The Ravens begin their season on the road against an Indianapolis team looking to make noise in the AFC South. Baltimore’s physical rushing attack and defensive pressure will immediately test the Colts. Indianapolis, meanwhile, will need to find ways to consistently move the football against one of the league’s most aggressive defenses. Turnovers could be especially important in a game featuring two teams that would like to establish their identity early. Both teams may want to lean on their bruising running backs..Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor to set a tone early.
This matchup features two teams with plenty of questions entering the season. Atlanta has undergone significant changes and could lean heavily on its rushing attack and defense, while Pittsburgh enters another season built around physical football. The Steelers’ pass rush will be a major factor, particularly if Atlanta struggles to protect its quarterback. Pittsburgh will also be looking for consistency offensively. With both teams having playoff aspirations, this could be an early test of which roster is better prepared to handle pressure situations.
The Browns and Jaguars enter Week 1 with plenty to prove. Cleveland’s defense has the personnel to make life difficult for opposing offenses, but the Browns will need consistent production from their offense. Jacksonville will look to take advantage of playing at home and establish its offensive identity early. Quarterback play could be the biggest storyline, particularly with Cleveland beginning a new chapter at the position. If the Browns can control the tempo and limit mistakes, they can keep the game within their preferred style, while Jacksonville will want to create explosive plays.
This matchup features two experienced quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield and Joe Burrow. Cincinnati’s offense has the potential to put up points quickly, particularly when Burrow has time to operate. Tampa Bay will counter with an offense capable of creating explosive plays and a defense that will look to disrupt Cincinnati’s rhythm. The Bengals’ offensive line and the Buccaneers’ ability to pressure Burrow could be critical. On the other side, Tampa Bay’s ability to protect Mayfield against Cincinnati’s pass rush will be equally important.
This game has an immediate storyline: former Jets head coach Robert Saleh is now leading the Titans. Tennessee also enters the season with second-year quarterback Cam Ward, giving the Titans a young centerpiece to build around. The Jets have undergone changes of their own and will look to establish a new identity. The matchup could come down to which young offense avoids costly mistakes. Ward’s ability to handle pressure and the Jets’ ability to contain Tennessee’s rushing attack are two factors worth monitoring.
Detroit enters the season with expectations that its offense can once again be among the league’s most productive units. The Saints, meanwhile, are beginning a new offensive era under coordinator Kellen Moore. New Orleans will need to find ways to keep Detroit from controlling the game with its physical offensive line and rushing attack. The Lions’ defense will also have an opportunity to make a statement against a Saints offense still developing its identity. Turnovers and red-zone efficiency could determine whether this becomes a close contest or a game controlled by one side.
Turf Show Times
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Week 1: Saints @ Lions
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This is one of the marquee matchups of the early Sunday slate. Buffalo enters with another season of Super Bowl expectations, while Houston continues to build around C.J. Stroud and an increasingly talented roster. The Texans’ defense will have a difficult assignment against Josh Allen, whose ability to create plays outside the structure of the offense can change a game quickly. Houston will need to protect Stroud and avoid giving Buffalo short fields. This could ultimately come down to quarterback play, turnovers and which defense wins critical third downs.
**_My Pick: Texans 20-17 (OT)_**
The Cardinals travel to Los Angeles for a matchup featuring two teams looking to take another step forward. Arizona’s offense will need to find consistency against a Chargers defense that can generate pressure, while Los Angeles will look to take advantage of its offensive weapons. The Chargers’ ability to establish the run could be particularly important, as it would prevent the Cardinals from simply focusing on the passing game. Arizona’s ability to generate pressure and create turnovers could keep the game competitive.
An NFC North rivalry opens the season with Green Bay visiting Minnesota. The Vikings will have the advantage of playing at home, but the Packers’ physical roster makes this an intriguing divisional matchup. Both teams have plenty of familiarity with one another, meaning explosive plays and turnovers could become especially important. Green Bay will want to establish the run and keep the Vikings from dictating the game defensively, while Minnesota will look to capitalize on home-field advantage and force the Packers into difficult third-down situations.
Miami begins the season on the road in Las Vegas. The Dolphins’ speed on offense gives them the ability to stress a defense horizontally and vertically, while the Raiders enter the season with plenty of attention surrounding their quarterback situation and young offensive talent. The matchup could be determined by whether Las Vegas can consistently prevent Miami from creating explosive plays. Miami, meanwhile, will need to deal with the road environment and find ways to handle the Raiders’ pass rush.
An NFC East rivalry gets started immediately as Washington travels to Philadelphia. The Eagles have built one of the league’s most talented rosters and will have home-field advantage, while Washington enters the season looking to establish itself as a legitimate contender in the division. The Commanders will need to handle Philadelphia’s defensive front and avoid giving the Eagles short fields. Philadelphia’s ability to pressure Washington’s quarterback without sacrificing coverage will be one of the game’s most important tactical battles.
The Sunday night matchup brings another NFC East rivalry. Dallas and New York know each other extremely well, which means the opening game could come down to execution rather than surprises. The Cowboys will look to establish their offensive identity, while the Giants will try to use their home crowd and defensive front to disrupt Dallas. Turnovers are always magnified in divisional games, and field position could become another major factor. With both teams looking to start the season on the right foot, there should be plenty of intensity from the opening snap.
Week 1 concludes with an AFC West rivalry at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City enters the season looking to regain its championship form, while Denver is attempting to continue its rise as a contender in the division. The Chiefs’ offense will be under significant scrutiny, particularly with Patrick Mahomes returning from his ACL injury. Denver’s defense could present a difficult challenge if it can generate pressure without consistently blitzing. The Broncos will also need to avoid giving Mahomes and Kansas City short fields. Health, turnovers and red-zone execution could all prove decisive.
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* [Los Angeles Rams Schedule](/los-angeles-rams-schedule)