We have NFC SCHEDULE NOTES today.- – -The 2030 Super Bowl could be awarded this week, with reports naming a first time winner. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: The Super Bowl could be heading to Nashville. NFL owners are expected to vote at Tuesday’s Spring League Meeting on Nashville hosting Super Bowl LXIV in February 2030, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported, per sources informed of the situation. The Tennessee Titans are scheduled to open their new $2.1 billion stadium on the East Bank of the Cumberland River in 2027. If they get the nod for SB LXIV, it would come in the third year in the new digs — meaning any kinks should be well worked out by then. Given Nashville is a hot tourist destination, it’s proven capable of handling the influx of people who descend on a Super Bowl city. The city’s hosting of the 2019 NFL Draft to rousing success underscores the NFL’s likely confidence in heading to Nashville for a much bigger event. 2027 (Super Bowl 61): SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California (February 14).2028 (Super Bowl 62): Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.2029 (Super Bowl 63): Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. 2030 (Super Bowl 64): New Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee Before we think about where it will go moving forward, let’s remember the last few years. LX 2026 Feb 8 Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CaliforniaLIX 2025 Feb 9 Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana (11th time hosting)LVIII 2024 Feb 11 Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Las Vegas, NevadaLVII 2023 Feb 12 State Farm Stadium, Glendale, ArizonaLVI 2022 Feb 13 SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CaliforniaLV 2021 Feb 7 Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FloridaLIV 2020 Feb 2 Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida (11th time hosting)LIII 2019 Feb 3 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia The game would seem to be overdue to return to Florida, but Miami now has a race track for cars in the parking lot and Tampa is pressing for upgrades. Jacksonville’s
“Stadium of the Future” might be the best venue in the state by then, but can it overcome the lack of hotel rooms? There were cruise ships in the St. John’s River for the last one – all the way back in 2005. Arizona would be eight years removed in 2031 and is always a good spot. That may be a little tight for New Orleans at six years, but SoFi in LA and Allegiant in Las Vegas are working on five year gaps. The new stadium in Washington is supposed to open in 2030. The new stadium in Denver is supposed to open in 2031. Kevin Warren’s stadium game in Chicago will presumably end at some point. Indianapolis, Minneapolis, New Jersey/New York and Dallas/Arlington are past locations of Super Bowls with varying degrees of success. In April, longtime Dallas scribe Calvin Watkins on why AT&T Stadium has not hosted one since the troubled event in 2011. The NFL’s announcement this week that Las Vegas will host Super Bowl LXIII in 2029 marks another year that one of the league’s best stadiums will be vacant for football in February. When AT&T Stadium opened in 2009, then called Cowboys Stadium, it was billed as a venue that would enter into the Super Bowl site business. But the Arlington location has hosted just one Super Bowl in 2011. The big question is why hasn’t Arlington hosted another one? Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, opened in 2020, will host at least two Super Bowls by the time Arlington hosts another game. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., home of the two Los Angeles NFL teams, also opened in 2020. It hosted a Super Bowl in 2022 and is scheduled to host Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, 2027. The desire from the Dallas Cowboys to bid for another Super Bowl hasn’t waned but hosting other major events, such as the FIFA World Cup this summer, the NCAA men’s Final Four in 2030 and the the NHL Stadium Series on Feb. 20, 2027, has taken over. While those events don’t conflict with the Super Bowl in early February, preparing the area for the NFL’s final game takes a tremendous commitment from multiple cities around North Texas. “I will say with all these new stadiums coming on board, that makes it hard,” Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones said. “When you build a new stadium, a part of that is in many cases, a Super Bowl is awarded. We’ll see how it goes. The Super Bowl we had in Vegas when their stadium first opened, I enjoyed it. It was a great game, a great venue, a great city to have a Super Bowl.” When Arlington hosted the Super Bowl, an historic ice storm hit North Texas, resulting in a stadium worker dying when a chunk of ice fell on him. There was also a lawsuit against the NFL over temporary seating that was inserted to increase the seating capacity, only to have some fans displaced to their dissatisfaction. “I know the kind of venue we got,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “I know where we’re located in the central part of the United States for people to be involved. We look good on television in the venue. All of those things, we have and I can promise — I’ll bet on it — no ice storm the next time. I stand ready to bet on that.” NFL officials say it’s up to the member clubs to submit bids to host the Super Bowl and that hasn’t occurred from the Cowboys in recent years. Newer stadiums are quick to land open years for the game. After Las Vegas in 2029, the next open year is 2030. Nashville will open a domed stadium in 2027 and there is an expectation it will bid for Super Bowl LXIV in 2030. “Now, we wake up tomorrow morning and think about 2030 and that process,” NFL executive vice president of events Peter O’Reilly told the Tennessee Titans website. “We will move on that process pretty quickly over this next stretch, but nothing to report. Obviously, we’re excited about Nashville as a city and the stadium but nothing to specifically talk about in terms of 2030.” So, why can’t the Cowboys bid for the Super Bowl in 2030? The issue is the NFL’s requirements. North Texas fulfills the requirements of a 70,000-plus seat stadium, 35,000 parking spaces within one mile of the stadium, hotel occupancy, and other perks for NFL officials. However, the construction on parts of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas is delaying a possible bid. NFL teams require a convention center that can host fan events and the famed Radio Row, where radio stations and sponsors are housed. The demolition work at the convention center won’t be completed until 2029. The NFL normally awards a city a Super Bowl bid three or four years in advance. However, hosting a Super Bowl for 2031 is possible. AT&T Stadium has also placed a bid to host FIFA women’s World Cup soccer games in the same year, which won’t occur until that summer. The preparation for that game, from getting the field ready to removing signage, would take place months in advance, such is the case now with the FIFA men’s World Cup games coming to Arlington. “It has to be right,” Jones said. “It has to be under the right conditions. There are a lot of nuances and responsibilities that teams and markets take on when you do a Super Bowl. We certainly feel that we can do one. We’ll step up there at the right times. The way the Super Bowl goes, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes trading going on. All of that is a consideration.” Bidding to host a Super Bowl isn’t something Cowboys officials have forgotten, but other cities, major events and demolition work have gotten in the way. It’s just surprising considering the Cowboys’ stadium set the standard in how some of the newer stadiums were built. “We definitely want to host another Super Bowl,” said Monica Paul, the Executive Director for the Dallas Sports Commission, an organization that helps the city and local sports teams secure events. “I don’t think there’s anyone here locally that doesn’t think the same. Yes, we want to host another Super Bowl. It’s finding that right time, collectively.” |
| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGOSCHEDULE NOTESThe NFL has anointed the Bears as a full-fledged brand in 2026 with five primetime games, two holiday “standalones” (Thanksgiving AND Christmas) and two FOX America’s Games of the Week appearances…The Bears will be in primetime in three straight weeks around Halloween, with two at Soldier Field…FOX gets them eight times, CBS just two…The last three games are divisionals, starting with the Packers on Christmas…After opening at Carolina, the Bears plays three in a row at home. Chicago Bears 1 Sep. 13 at Carolina Panthers 1:00 PM FOX 2 Sep. 20 Minnesota Vikings 1:00 PM FOX 3 Sep. 28 Philadelphia Eagles (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC 4 Oct. 4 New York Jets 1:00 PM FOX 5 Oct. 11 at Green Bay Packers 4:25 PM FOX 6 Oct. 18 at Atlanta Falcons 1:00 PM FOX 7 Oct. 22 New England Patriots (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ 8 Nov. 2 at Seattle Seahawks (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN 9 Nov. 8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8:20 PM NBC 10 BYE11 Nov. 22 New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM FOX 12 Nov. 26 at Detroit Lions (Thu) 1:00 PM CBS 13 Dec. 6 Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 PM FOX 14 Dec. 13 at Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM CBS 15 Dec. 19 at Buffalo Bills (Sat) 8:20 PM CBS 16 Dec. 25 Green Bay Packers (Fri) 1:00 PM NETFLIX 17 Jan. 3 Detroit Lions 4:25 PM FOX 18 TBD at Minnesota Vikings TBD TBD |
| DETROITSCHEDULE NOTESDespite missing the playoffs, the Lions get plenty of love with four primetimes games plus their Thanksgiving appearance…They also go to Munich for a Sunday meeting with the Patriots on FOX…It doesn’t seem right that three of their last four games are the divisional road games…The Lions have the honor of facing the Bills in the first game at Hallmark Stadium…With the fourth place schedule the Lions get Arizona, while the other three NFC North teams play the AFC West powerhouses Detroit Lions1 Sep. 13 New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM FOX2 Sep. 17 at Buffalo Bills (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ3 Sep. 27 New York Jets 1:00 PM FOX4 Oct. 4 at Carolina Panthers 8:20 PM NBC5 Oct. 11 at Arizona Cardinals 4:25 PM FOX6 BYE7 Oct. 25 Green Bay Packers 4:25 PM FOX8 Nov. 1 Minnesota Vikings 1:00 PM FOX9 Nov. 8 at Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM FOX10 Nov. 15 vs New England Patriots (Munich) 9:30 AM FOX11 Nov. 22 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 PM CBS12 Nov. 26 Chicago Bears (Thu) 1:00 PM CBS13 Dec. 6 at Atlanta Falcons 1:00 PM CBS14 Dec. 13 Tennessee Titans 1:00 PM FOX15 Dec. 20 at Minnesota Vikings 8:20 PM NBC16 Dec. 28 New York Giants (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN*17 Jan. 3 at Chicago Bears 4:25 PM FOX18 TBD at Green Bay Packers TBD TBD |
| GREEN BAYSCHEDULE NOTESSome have questioned whether the JORDAN LOVE/Mike LaFleur Packers are at the “brand” level of teams with Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, but the NFL thinks so with six scattered primetime games and not one, but two, Netflix holiday appearances on Christmas and Thanksgiving Eve (the Thanksgiving Eve game is one of the primetimes)…Green Bay sees each of its division rivals once in the first seven weeks (all in the late DH window) and are done with the Vikings by mid-November…Three of the first four on the road and four of the last five at Lambeau (two dome teams and Miami to boot)…The Packers open the season on CBS, but are not seen on that network thereafter. Green Bay Packers 1 Sep. 13 at Minnesota Vikings 4:25 PM CBS 2 Sep. 20 at New York Jets 1:00 PM FOX 3 Sep. 24 Atlanta Falcons (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ 4 Oct. 4 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 PM FOX 5 Oct. 11 Chicago Bears 4:25 PM FOX 6 Oct. 18 Dallas Cowboys 8:20 PM NBC 7 Oct. 25 at Detroit Lions 4:25 PM FOX 8 Oct. 29 Carolina Panthers (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ 9 Nov. 8 at New England Patriots 4:25 PM FOX 10 Nov. 15 Minnesota Vikings 1:00 PM FOX 11 BYE 12 Nov. 25 at Los Angeles Rams (Wed) 8:00 PM Netflix 13 Dec. 6 at New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM FOX 14 Dec. 13 Buffalo Bills 8:20 PM NBC* 15 Dec. 20 Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM FOX 16 Dec. 25 at Chicago Bears (Fri) 1:00 PM NETFLIX 17 Jan. 4 Houston Texans (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN* 18 TBD Detroit Lions TBD TBD |
MINNESOTASCHEDULE NOTES
The Vikings have four primetime games, all between Weeks 9 and 15, including the Week 11 trip to Mexico City to play the 49ers on Disney…Seven of the first 11 games are on FOX, but none, as of yet in the last six weeks…The home-and-aways and divisionals are pretty well balanced. Minnesota Vikings1 Sep. 13 Green Bay Packers 4:25 PM CBS2 Sep. 20 at Chicago Bears 1:00 PM FOX3 Sep. 27 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4:05 PM FOX4 Oct. 4 Miami Dolphins 4:05 PM FOX5 Oct. 11 at New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM FOX6 BYE7 Oct. 25 Indianapolis Colts 1:00 PM CBS8 Nov. 1 at Detroit Lions 1:00 PM FOX9 Nov. 9 Buffalo Bills (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC10 Nov. 15 at Green Bay Packers 1:00 PM FOX11 Nov. 22 vs San Francisco 49ers (Mexico City) 8:20 PM NBC12 Nov. 29 Atlanta Falcons 1:00 PM FOX13 Dec. 6 Carolina Panthers 4:25 PM CBS14 Dec. 10 at New England Patriots (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ15 Dec. 20 Detroit Lions 8:20 PM NBC*16 TBD Washington Commanders TBD TBD17 Jan. 3 at New York Jets 1:00 PM CBS18 TBD Chicago Bears TBD TBD |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASSCHEDULE NOTESSome listings show the Cowboys with five Primetime games, but we’re pretty sure the number is six – plus a “standalone: game on Thanksgiving…Of the remaining 10, four are Sunday doubleheaders (2 FOX, 2 CBS incl. Brazil with Baltimore), five are in the early window on FOX including the Texas showdown at Houston in Week 4 and Week 18 is TBD…the Cowboys don’t play on a Sunday afterbiib in Arlington between Week 2 and Week 8 (then they are three of four Sundays…There have been times the Cowboys doubled up on Thursday after Thanksgiving, but this year they get an extra break all the way to Monday (at Seattle)…They open the year with the Giants and Commanders, and close the year with the Giants and Commanders…Jaguars at Cowboys is an interesting Sunday night game in Week 16. Dallas Cowboys 1 Sep. 13 at New York Giants 8:20 PM NBC 2 Sep. 20 Washington Commanders 4:25 PM FOX3 Sep. 27 Baltimore Ravens (Rio de Janeiro) 4:25 PM CBS4 Oct. 4 at Houston Texans 1:00 PM FOX 5 Oct. 8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ 6 Oct. 18 at Green Bay Packers 8:20 PM NBC7 Oct. 26 at Philadelphia Eagles (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC 8 Nov. 1 Arizona Cardinals 1:00 PM FOX 9 Nov. 8 at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 PM FOX10 Nov. 15 San Francisco 49ers 4:25 PM FOX11 Nov. 22 Tennessee Titans 1:00 PM FOX12 Nov. 26 Philadelphia Eagles (Thu) 4:30 PM FOX13 Dec. 7 at Seattle Seahawks (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC*14 BYE15 Dec. 20 at Los Angeles Rams 4:25 PM CBS16 Dec. 27 Jacksonville Jaguars 8:20 PM NBC*17 Jan. 3 New York Giants 1:00 PM FOX18 TBD at Washington Commanders TBD TBD |
| NEW YORK GIANTSSCHEDULE NOTESWith John Harbaugh the coach, JAXSON DART the QB and New York the market – the NFL treats the Giants like a full-fledged contender with four primetime games including the first two…The NFL thinks they will hold their own in Week 2 on the big Monday night showcase at the mighty Rams…Pretty good home-away balance. New York Giants1 Sep. 13 Dallas Cowboys 8:20 PM NBC2 Sep. 21 at Los Angeles Rams (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC3 Sep. 27 Tennessee Titans 1:00 PM CBS4 Oct. 4 Arizona Cardinals 1:00 PM CBS5 Oct. 11 at Washington Commanders 1:00 PM FOX6 Oct. 18 New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM FOX7 Oct. 25 at Houston Texans 1:00 PM FOX8 BYE9 Nov. 8 at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 PM FOX10 Nov. 12 Washington Commanders (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ11 Nov. 22 Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 PM CBS12 Nov. 29 at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 PM FOX13 Dec. 6 San Francisco 49ers 1:00 PM FOX14 Dec. 13 at Seattle Seahawks 4:25 PM FOX15 Dec. 20 Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM CBS16 Dec. 28 at Detroit Lions (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN*17 Jan. 3 at Dallas Cowboys 1:00 PM FOX18 TBD Philadelphia Eagles TBD TBD |
| PHILADELPHIASCHEDULE NOTESFive primetime games – plus two standalone games in London in Week 5 and on Saturday in Week 15…The division games are wrapped up by Week 12 except for the mandated game in Week 18 (at Giants)…Three December home games before the road finish at San Francisco and the Giants. Philadelphia Eagles1 Sep. 13 Washington Commanders 4:25 PM FOX 2 Sep. 20 at Tennessee Titans 1:00 PM FOX 3 Sep. 28 at Chicago Bears (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC 4 Oct. 4 Los Angeles Rams 1:00 PM FOX 5 Oct. 11 vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Tottenham) 9:30 AM NFLN 6 Oct. 18 Carolina Panthers 1:00 PM CBS 7 Oct. 26 Dallas Cowboys (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC 8 Nov. 1 at Washington Commanders 8:20 PM NBC* 9 Nov. 8 New York Giants 1:00 PM FOX 10 BYE 11 Nov. 22 Pittsburgh Steelers 4:25 PM CBS 12 Nov. 26 at Dallas Cowboys (Thu) 4:30 PM FOX 13 Dec. 6 at Arizona Cardinals 4:05 PM FOX 14 Dec. 13 Indianapolis Colts 1:00 PM FOX 15 Dec. 19 Seattle Seahawks (Sat) 5:00 PM FOX 16 Dec. 24 Houston Texans (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ* 17 Jan. 3 at San Francisco 49ers 8:20 PM NBC* 18 TBD at New York Giants TBD TBD |
| WASHINGTONSCHEDULE NOTESFour primetime games – stacked in the middle in a span of six weeks and five games…Five divisionals out of the way by Week 10, then seven outside before the big finish with the Cowboys…They have games in Week 16 AND Week 17 that are TBD. Washington Commanders1 Sep. 13 at Philadelphia Eagles 4:25 PM FOX2 Sep. 20 at Dallas Cowboys 4:25 PM FOX3 Sep. 27 Seattle Seahawks 1:00 PM FOX4 Oct. 4 vs. Indianapolis Colts (Tottenham) 9:30 AM NFLN5 Oct. 11 New York Giants 1:00 PM FOX6 Oct. 19 at San Francisco 49ers (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC7 BYE8 Nov. 1 Philadelphia Eagles 8:20 PM NBC*9 Nov. 8 Los Angeles Rams 1:00 PM FOX10 Nov. 12 at New York Giants (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ11 Nov. 23 Cincinnati Bengals (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN12 Nov. 29 at Arizona Cardinals 4:25 PM FOX13 Dec. 6 at Tennessee Titans 1:00 PM CBS14 Dec. 13 Houston Texans 1:00 PM CBS15 Dec. 20 Atlanta Falcons 1:00 PM FOX16 Dec. 26 at Minnesota Vikings TBD TBD17 Jan. 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars TBD TBD18 TBD Dallas Cowboys TBD TBD |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTASCHEDULE NOTESWe didn’t have the Falcons in primetime 3 weeks in a row early in the season on our bingo card…Then, other than a trip to Madrid in November, they are content to play in the Sunday early window the rest of the year…There is a Week 16 meeting with the Atlanta Falcons that could evolve into Saturday…They finish the year with meetings with each of the three divisional foes…There is a three-game homestand that starts on Sunday Night Football with the Raven in Week 5…The Falcons bet, against the fourth-easiest schedule, is that they will win 7.5 games. But, as Ben Fawkes notes, exactly where they might win 8 games are hard to find: @BFawkes22One interesting betting nugget after NFL schedule release: ➡️Atlanta Falcons have a win total of 7.5, but are favored in only two games They currently have a spread of +4.5 or better in 14 of their 15 games as an underdog Atlanta Falcons1 Sep. 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 PM FOX 2 Sep. 20 Carolina Panthers 1:00 PM FOX 3 Sep. 24 at Green Bay Packers (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ 4 Oct. 5 at New Orleans Saints (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN5 Oct. 11 Baltimore Ravens 8:20 PM NBC* 6 Oct. 18 Chicago Bears 1:00 PM FOX 7 Oct. 25 San Francisco 49ers 1:00 PM FOX 8 Nov. 1 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 PM FOX 9 Nov. 8 vs Cincinnati Bengals (Madrid) 9:30 AM NFLN10 Nov. 15 Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 PM CBS 11 BYE 12 Nov. 29 at Minnesota Vikings 1:00 PM FOX 13 Dec. 6 Detroit Lions 1:00 PM CBS 14 Dec. 13 at Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM CBS 15 Dec. 20 at Washington Commanders 1:00 PM FOX 16 TBD Tampa Bay Buccaneers TBD TBD 17 Jan. 3 New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM FOX 18 TBD at Carolina Panthers TBD TBD |
| CAROLINASCHEDULE NOTESAs an 8-9 defending division champion with some promise for 2026, the Panthers get three primetime games including at home against Detroit in Week 4 in the Battle of The Cats with Light Blue in their uniforms…But they can still be found in the early Sunday window at least 11 times…There is a flexible Week 16 game at Pittsburgh…Even with their Week 18 game with Tampa Bay a surprise Flex to Saturday primetime, they were on FOX 13 times in 2025, 12 in the early window. This year’s count eight early Sunday FOX appearances…Dating all the way back to the 2022 season, the last seven meetings between the Panthers and Buccaneers have been in December or January, but in 2026 the second meeting is on November 30…The Panthers get four of their last five at home, without seeming to have a corresponding road spell…The Panthers have the 10thhardest schedule in the NFL, 11 spots higher than the second hardest in the NFC South (Tampa Bay at 21). Carolina Panthers1 Sep. 13 Chicago Bears 1:00 PM FOX2 Sep. 20 at Atlanta Falcons 1:00 PM FOX3 Sep. 27 at Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM FOX4 Oct. 4 Detroit Lions 8:20 PM NBC5 BYE6 Oct. 18 at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 PM CBS7 Oct. 25 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 PM FOX8 Oct. 29 at Green Bay Packers (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ9 Nov. 8 Denver Broncos 1:00 PM CBS10 Nov. 15 at New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM FOX11 Nov. 22 Baltimore Ravens 1:00 PM FOX12 Nov. 30 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN*13 Dec. 6 at Minnesota Vikings 4:25 PM CBS14 Dec. 13 New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM CBS15 Dec. 20 Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 PM FOX16 TBD at Pittsburgh Steelers TBD TBD17 Jan. 3 Seattle Seahawks 1:00 PM FOX18 TBD Atlanta Falcons TBD TBD |
| NEW ORLEANSSCHEDULE NOTESThe NFL’s most French-oriented team heads to Paris on October 25, only 80 miles or so from Old Orleans…Their opponents are the Steelers for a battle of the NFL’s two black and yellow/golf teams…The Saints also get their 20th anniversary game with the Falcons in Week 4 on Monday Night Football…Other than that, with no road game west of Chicago, its all 1 pm on Sunday (9 FOX, 5 CBS, plus Week 18 TBD)…The Buccaneers don’t appear on the schedule until Week 15 with only one of the first 8 games vs. an NFC South foe…Starting in Week 11 there is a run of 4 out of five on the road which comes well after three straight home games beginning in Week 3…And starting in Week 9 there is a run of four games against each of the four NFL teams whose geographical location starts with “C”. New Orleans Saints 1 Sep. 13 at Detroit Lions 1:00 PM FOX 2 Sep. 20 at Baltimore Ravens 1:00 PM CBS 3 Sep. 27 Las Vegas Raiders 4:25 PM CBS 4 Oct. 5 Atlanta Falcons (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN 5 Oct. 11 Minnesota Vikings 1:00 PM FOX 6 Oct. 18 at New York Giants 1:00 PM FOX 7 Oct. 25 vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Paris) 9:30 AM NFLN 8 BYE 9 Nov. 8 Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM CBS 10 Nov. 15 Carolina Panthers 1:00 PM FOX 11 Nov. 22 at Chicago Bears 1:00 PM FOX 12 Nov. 29 at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 PM CBS 13 Dec. 6 Green Bay Packers 1:00 PM FOX 14 Dec. 13 at Carolina Panthers 1:00 PM CBS 15 Dec. 20 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 PM FOX 16 Dec. 27 Arizona Cardinals 1:00 PM FOX 17 Jan. 3 at Atlanta Falcons 1:00 PM FOX 18 TBD Tampa Bay Buccaneers TBD TBD |
| TAMPA BAYSCHEDULE NOTESThree primetime games although Tampa Bay is 1-9 in primetime since the start of 2023…It will be the fourth time in six season that the Buccaneers have played Dallas in primetime (the last time the Buccaneers played the Cowboys in non-primetime game was 2018)…As mentioned with the Panthers and Saints above, the Buccaneers don’t play Carolina in December-January this season, but they do meet New Orleans twice…Tampa Bay doesn’t know day and time for any of its last three games…The Bucs have a three-game home streak starting in Week 2 (also five of seven)…Tampa Bay will be done with the four NFC North teams by Week 10…Both Los Angeles teams come to Tampa Bay after December 1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers1 Sep. 13 at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 PM FOX2 Sep. 20 Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM CBS3 Sep. 27 Minnesota Vikings 4:05 PM FOX4 Oct. 4 Green Bay Packers 1:00 PM FOX5 Oct. 8 at Dallas Cowboys (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ6 Oct. 18 Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 PM CBS7 Oct. 25 at Carolina Panthers 1:00 PM FOX8 Nov. 1 Atlanta Falcons 1:00 PM FOX 9 Nov. 8 at Chicago Bears 8:20 PM NBC*10 BYE11 Nov. 22 at Detroit Lions 1:00 PM CBS12 Nov. 30 Carolina Panthers (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN*13 Dec. 6 Los Angeles Chargers 1:00 PM CBS14 Dec. 13 at Baltimore Ravens 1:00 PM FOX15 Dec. 20 New Orleans Saints 1:00 PM FOX16 TBD at Atlanta Falcons TBD TBD17 TBD Los Angeles Rams TBD TBD18 TBD at New Orleans Saints TBD TBD |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONASCHEDULE NOTESReally not a good way to spare the Cardinals from pain, but the NFL gave them three bangers to start things, and the Giants aren’t all that easy, especially in New York…The only NFC team that did not receive a Primetime or Standalone game (16 known Sunday games – 10 on FOX, 6 on CBS)…Six of the first nine on the road, then six of eight at home to finish the year…Except for the mandated Week 18 game, they are done with the rest of the NFC West by Week 10. Arizona Cardinals 1 Sep. 13 at Los Angeles Chargers 4:25 PM CBS 2 Sep. 20 Seattle Seahawks 4:25 PM FOX 3 Sep. 27 at San Francisco 49ers 4:05 PM FOX 4 Oct. 4 at New York Giants 1:00 PM CBS 5 Oct. 11 Detroit Lions 4:25 PM FOX 6 Oct. 18 at Los Angeles Rams 4:05 PM FOX 7 Oct. 25 Denver Broncos 4:05 PM CBS 8 Nov. 1 at Dallas Cowboys 1:00 PM FOX 9 Nov. 8 at Seattle Seahawks 4:25 PM FOX 10 Nov. 15 Los Angeles Rams 4:05 PM CBS 11 Nov. 22 at Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 PM CBS 12 Nov. 29 Washington Commanders 4:25 PM FOX 13 Dec. 6 Philadelphia Eagles 4:05 PM FOX 14 BYE15 Dec. 20 New York Jets 4:05 PM FOX 16 Dec. 27 at New Orleans Saints 4:00 PM FOX 17 Jan. 3 Las Vegas Raiders 4:05 PM CBS 18 TBD San Francisco 49ers TBD TBD |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSSCHEDULE NOTESA record seven “primetime” games, although the latest anyone of them will kickoff in local time is 6:20 in Week 3 at Denver…Primetime in four of the first five, although the best of the bunch might be Week 4 at Philadelphia in an early FOX window…They could still get more Primetime/Standalone love in Weeks 17 and 18…They play on every day of the week except Tuesday and Saturday (and the latter could still happen). Los Angeles Rams1 Sep. 10 San Francisco 49ers (Melbourne) 8:35 PM Netflix2 Sep. 21 New York Giants (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC3 Sep. 27 at Denver Broncos 8:20 PM NBC4 Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 PM FOX5 Oct. 12 Buffalo Bills (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC6 Oct. 18 Arizona Cardinals 4:05 PM FOX7 Oct. 25 at Las Vegas Raiders 4:25 PM FOX8 Nov. 1 Los Angeles Chargers 4:05 PM FOX9 Nov. 8 at Washington Commanders 1:00 PM FOX10 Nov. 15 at Arizona Cardinals 4:05 PM CBS11 BYE 12 Nov. 25 Green Bay Packers (Wed) 8:00 PM Netflix13 Dec. 3 Kansas City Chiefs (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ*14 Dec. 13 at San Francisco 49ers 4:25 PM FOX15 Dec. 20 Dallas Cowboys 4:25 PM CBS16 Dec. 25 at Seattle Seahawks (Fri) 8:15 PM FOX17 TBD at Tampa Bay Buccaneers TBD TBD18 TBD Seattle Seahawks TBD TBD |
| SAN FRANCISCOSCHEDULE NOTESThe double whammy of two international games for the 49ers who will travel over 34,000 miles with trips to Melbourne, Mexico City, New York and Atlanta among their nine jaunts on the year…Playing on Thursday in Australia, they have a 10-day break before a three-game homestand (the first two very winnable)…There’s no bye after playing at altitude in Mexico City in Week 11, with a huge home game with the Seahawks in Week 12…It’s a tough schedule with four games against easier teams (2 vs Arizona in their division). We don’t think the Giants in 2026 will be “easy”…The big division games with the Rams and Seahawks are done by Week 13…Two early games in the Eastern Time Zone…Five games in the late doubleheader window on FOX (although Miami will not be America’s Game of the Week), including both games with Seattle…And two Romo-type games on CBS with Denver and Kansas City. San Francisco 49ers 1 Sep. 10 vs Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne) 8:35 PM Netflix 2 Sep. 20 Miami Dolphins 4:25 PM FOX 3 Sep. 27 Arizona Cardinals 4:05 PM FOX 4 Oct. 4 Denver Broncos 4:25 PM CBS 5 Oct. 11 at Seattle Seahawks 4:25 PM FOX 6 Oct. 19 Washington Commanders (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC 7 Oct. 25 at Atlanta Falcons 1:00 PM FOX 8 BYE 9 Nov. 8 Las Vegas Raiders 4:05 PM CBS 10 Nov. 15 at Dallas Cowboys 4:25 PM FOX 11 Nov. 22 vs. Minnesota Vikings (Mexico City) 8:20 PM NBC 12 Nov. 29 Seattle Seahawks 4:25 PM FOX 13 Dec. 6 at New York Giants 1:00 PM FOX 14 Dec. 13 Los Angeles Rams 4:25 PM FOX 15 Dec. 17 at Los Angeles Chargers (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ* 16 Dec. 27 at Kansas City Chiefs 4:25 PM CBS 17 Jan. 3 Philadelphia Eagles 8:20 PM NBC* 18 TBD at Arizona Cardinals TBD TBD |
| SEATTLESCHEDULE NOTESWe were among those who found the decision to bring the Patriots, crushed in the Super Bowl, across the country to watch the Seahawks celebrate their title in Week 1 kind of deflating…We realize the Rams and 49ers were not available for the role after being made the Australia pioneers, but Dallas or Chicago would have been fresher (especially with the stale serving of the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football at the Giants)…Six Primetime Games for the defending champs including Christmas Day, plus a “standalone” at 5 on Saturday in Week 15…With no international travel, Seattle’s 22,000 air miles is only 10th, instead of their usual spot at the top of the table…The Rams don’t show up on the schedule until Week 16…The Seahawks and Rams played in Seattle in Week 16 last year, now the return matchup is Week 18…Nine games for Seattle on FOX including at least 5 of the last 7. Seattle Seahawks1 Sep. 9 New England Patriots (Wed) 8:20 PM NBC2 Sep. 20 at Arizona Cardinals 4:25 PM FOX3 Sep. 27 at Washington Commanders 1:00 PM FOX4 Oct. 4 Los Angeles Chargers 4:25 PM CBS5 Oct. 11 San Francisco 49ers 4:25 PM FOX6 Oct. 15 at Denver Broncos (Thu) 8:15 PM AMZ7 Oct. 25 Kansas City Chiefs 8:20 PM NBC*8 Nov. 2 Chicago Bears (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN9 Nov. 8 Arizona Cardinals 4:25 PM FOX10 Nov. 15 at Las Vegas Raiders 4:05 PM CBS11 BYE12 Nov. 29 at San Francisco 49ers 4:25 PM FOX13 Dec. 7 Dallas Cowboys (Mon) 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC*14 Dec. 13 New York Giants 4:25 PM FOX15 Dec. 19 at Philadelphia Eagles (Sat) 5:00 PM FOX16 Dec. 25 Los Angeles Rams (Fri) 8:15 PM FOX17 Jan. 3 at Carolina Panthers 1:00 PM FOX18 TBD at Los Angeles Rams TBD TBD |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGHQB AARON RODGERS will indeed be a Steeler in 2026. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: The Steelers haven’t made an official announcement about quarterback Aaron Rodgers re-signing with the team yet, but it should be coming very soon. Word that Rodgers has agreed to a one-year contract with the team came on Saturday and Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports that Rodgers is at the team’s facility on Monday morning. Rodgers is expected to sign a deal paying him up to $25 million for his second season with the Steelers. The Steelers are kicking off the OTA phase of their offseason workouts on Monday and they are due to be on the practice field at 11 a.m. ET. With Rodgers back in the fold, the Steelers are on track to have the same starting quarterback in Week 1 of back-to-back seasons since Ben Roethlisberger did it in 2020 and 2021. The wait for a playoff win stretches even longer — a January 2017 win over the Chiefs — and the Steelers will be hoping Rodgers can help end that streak as well. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| HOMES FOR REMAINING FREE AGENTSMatt Bowen of ProFootballTalk.com identifies 14 quality free agents, including the Diggs brothers, still unsigned and places them around the 32 member clubs: The main wave of NFL free agency wrapped up in March, and all 32 teams addressed most of their other pressing needs through the 2026 draft. But even after those moves, there are plenty of unsigned free agents who are searching for new teams this summer. I’ve come up with ideal landing spots for 14 free agents. When I evaluate player-to-team matches, I’m looking at how each guy fits in a scheme, how each might be able to help immediately and whether the team has the cap space to add to the roster. To be clear, these players are likely to be used as rotational guys or to provide competition for starting roles during training camps. Let’s get into it, starting and ending with the Diggs brothers. Stefon Diggs, WRBest team fit: Los Angeles RamsThe Ravens could be a fit here for Diggs, but I really like him in L.A. alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. The Rams attempted 430 passes out of 11 personnel last season (ninth most in the league), and Diggs is a natural separator who can line up inside or outside. Plus, he has the toughness to work the middle of the field on in-breaking concepts, a key element of coach Sean McVay’s offense. Diggs had 85 receptions last season for the Patriots, which was almost twice as many as their next-closest wide receiver (Mack Hollins with 46). He would provide an easy boost to the WR room for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Kevin Zeitler, GBest team fit: San Francisco 49ersThe veteran has a physical inside presence, using his power to displace defensive tackles. And he has the movement ability to pull on the gap schemes, which fits into Kyle Shanahan’s system. Zeitler also uses his strong base in protection, ranking 37th out of 65 qualifying guards in pass block win rate last season (92.4%). He would be an upgrade to the interior of San Francisco’s O-line, which saw left guard Spencer Burford leave for the Raiders in free agency. Joey Bosa, EdgeBest team fit: San Francisco 49ersBosa has answered some availability questions over the past two seasons, playing in at least 14 games in each, and he fits as a pass rusher in Raheem Morris’ defense. Bosa played 36.3 snaps per game last season in Buffalo, finishing with five sacks, five forced fumbles and 42 pressures. We still see Bosa’s speed-to-power ability on tape, and he still keeps high energy to make stops later in the down. He would provide quality depth for a 49ers’ pass rush that ranked last in pressure rate (24.9%) and total sacks (20) in 2025. And why not have some fun and put him next to his brother Nick? Deebo Samuel, WRBest team fit: Indianapolis ColtsThe Colts added veteran receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine this offseason, but Samuel would bring a unique skill set to coach Shane Steichen’s offense as a complement to Alec Pierce and slot man Josh Downs. Steichen can create a long runway for Samuel to get up to speed on crossers, while building in manufactured touches on screens and fly sweeps. Signing Samuel, who caught 72 passes last season in Washington, would also give quarterback Daniel Jones another catch-and-run target alongside tight end Tyler Warren. Both Samuel and Warren ranked in the top 15 of yards after the catch last season. AJ Epenesa, EdgeBest team fit: Green Bay PackersThe Packers lost rotational edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare to the Jets in free agency, so the team could add his replacement in Epenesa. He’s a long, powerful mover who can set the edge with his 6-foot-6, 260-pound frame. He can also create disruptive plays under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon, as he recorded 24.5 sacks and four interceptions in six seasons with the Bills. Taylor Decker, OTBest team fit: Miami DolphinsDecker had an 89.3% pass block win rate in 2025 with Detroit, the second-lowest rate of his 10-year career. If he can prove to be healthy, however, he has the toughness and intangibles to win a starting role with most NFL teams. In Miami, Decker would compete for the left tackle spot with third-year pro Patrick Paul. The Dolphins drafted former Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor last month, but he is expected to slot in at left guard in 2026. Jonnu Smith, TEBest team fit: Carolina PanthersSmith would give the Panthers a move — or “F” — tight end who can create schematic advantages due to his alignment versatility. He can flex outside in 12 personnel, while getting targets on unders and screens. Wherever he lines up, Smith can be a reliable catch-and-run target for quarterback Bryce Young. Smith had 38 receptions in Pittsburgh last season, and 68.4% of his career receiving totals have come after the catch. Cameron Jordan, EdgeBest team fit: New Orleans SaintsJordan had 10.5 sacks in 2025, which marked his most in a single season since 2021. Sure, he can land with a team looking for a 4-3 edge given his physical profile (6-foot-4, 287 pounds) and movement ability. However, we have Jordan returning for his 16th season with the Saints. Coordinator Brandon Staley could still use Jordan’s veteran presence in a unit that did not make any big free agent signings or draft picks. Bobby Wagner, LBBest team fit: Jacksonville JaguarsWagner’s 9.5 tackles per game ranked sixth overall in 2025, showing he can still key quickly and rack up run stops. He does have limitations in coverage at this stage of his career, which Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile would have to manage. However, as an early-down defender, Wagner could potentially take on the role next to Foyesade Oluokun. Devin Lloyd, who was a mainstay on Jacksonville’s second level, signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Panthers this offseason. Mekhi Becton, GBest team fit: Philadelphia EaglesBecton produced subpar tape last season in L.A. However, a return to Philly, where Becton allowed four sacks and had a 71.2% run block win rate in 2024, makes sense as a depth/competition move. At his best, Becton has the size (6-foot-7, 364 pounds) and physical tools to overwhelm defenders. Jadeveon Clowney, EdgeBest team fit: Detroit LionsDetroit drafted edge rusher Derrick Moore in the second round to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson on pass-rushing downs, but Clowney would provide more depth up front. He had 8.5 sacks and 32 pressures last season in 13 games for the Cowboys, winning late in the down to get to the quarterback. Clowney would provide rotational value for coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s unit. Von Miller, EdgeBest team fit: Chicago BearsThe Bears are awaiting the return of edge rushers Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) and Shemar Turner (torn ACL), and the team didn’t take an edge rusher in the draft. That could open the door for Miller as a sub-package defender for Chicago. At this stage of his career, Miller is best used as a true designated pass rusher. He had a team-high nine sacks for the Commanders last season. Nick Chubb, RBBest team fit: Dallas CowboysA veteran grinder at this point of his career, Chubb could provide value as the Cowboys’ No. 2 or No. 3 option behind starter Javonte Williams. Chubb can still secure catches on swings and checkdowns in the passing game, but he should be viewed as an early-down option who can use his power and vision in short-yardage situations. He rushed for 520 yards in Houston last season. Trevon Diggs, CBBest team fit: Washington CommandersWashington could see Diggs as reclamation project, helping him get back to being a true playmaker in the secondary. He has had 20 interceptions in six NFL seasons, including a league high of 11 in 2021. Under new coordinator Daronte Jones, Diggs can use his man coverage traits and backfield vision to get a jump on the ball in the Commanders’ pressure-heavy scheme. However, he has plenty of availability concerns after spending at least a portion of the past three seasons on injured reserve. |
