The National Football League now gets more global attention than ever before. Indeed, the league itself is becoming more of a worldwide phenomenon, with nine of this season’s fixtures – a record – being played in foreign countries.
But whether you are in the heartlands of the USA or an NFL fan abroad, you will have a keen eye on the opening week of fixtures, commencing September 9. It’s the point where all the preseason chatter ends, and teams get down to business.
All of the games matter in a bruising 17-game season, but we can pick out five from Week 1 that feel key to dictating the narrative of the campaign ahead:
1. Patriots @ Seahawks
Yes, the 2026 NFL season will open with a rematch from February’s Super Bowl. The NFL Week 1 betting odds tell us that the Seahawks are firm favorites to edge this again, but the champions may not have it all their own way against a Patriots team that is keen to prove that last year’s surprising run to the championship game was no fluke. It’s a brilliant way to open the season, featuring two teams who, despite being the cream of the crop last season, still have questions to answer.
2. 49ers @ Rams
This one is actually taking place on the other side of the world – Melbourne, Australia, to be precise. The first-ever NFL game Down Under is another blockbuster, pitting the Rams (the current Super Bowl favorites) against a divisional rival that many see as a genuine contender. It’s a fascinating game and one that could set the tone early for supremacy in the brutally tough NFC West.
3. Ravens @ Colts
George W. Bush was the US President the last time the Ravens took to the field in an NFL regular season game without John Harbaugh as head coach, which tells you a lot about the feeling of a new era in Baltimore. Jesse Minter takes the reins, and he will be tasked with improving on a disappointing 8-9 record last season, which was far removed from the expectations at the beginning of September. The Colts should represent tough opposition in Indianapolis, however, and Minter is going to want to hit the ground running with his new team.
4. Bills @ Texans
Across the 2020s so far, the Bills have a 73-27 record, so qualifying for the Playoffs has not been a problem, nor is it expected to be this season. What concerns fans is what happens in the Playoffs, as the Bills – so often considered the NFL’s best – struggle to make it over the line. Another campaign of hope looms for a success-hungry fanbase, but a victory against the underrated Texans might be the perfect way to assuage any doubts among fans. It’s a very difficult game to call, and the eventual winner could gain plenty of momentum.
5. Broncos @ Chiefs
After over a decade of dominance of numerous Super Bowl appearances, the Chiefs were dethroned as the kings of the AFC West last season for the first time since 2015. The Broncos were the usurpers, and deservedly so. Nobody can quite put a finger on what went wrong with the Chiefs last season, but it’s clear that a bounce-back in form is required. Welcoming the Broncos to Arrowhead will feel like the perfect test to see if the Chiefs are back in business. It’s also a great way to wrap up the first week of action in the 2026 NFL season.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
