Tag: 2026

NFL finalizes opponents for 2026 regular season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Fourteen NFL teams and their fan bases are looking forward to the playoffs, but for everyone else, the focus has already shifted to next year.

The NFL finalized every team’s opponents for the 2026 season at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season on Sunday night, when Pittsburgh beat Baltimore to claim the AFC North title.

In the league’s scheduling formula, three games on each team’s schedule are based on the prior season’s standings — two intraconference opponents and one interconference opponent are determined by where teams placed in their divisions the year before.

Next season, the scheduling rotation for the 17th game lines up the AFC East with the NFC West, the AFC North with the NFC East, the AFC South with the NFC North and the AFC West with the NFC South. Among the more intriguing matchups this has created includes the New England Patriots visiting the Seattle Seahawks, the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the Los Angeles Rams and the all-Pennsylvania clash between the Steelers and host Philadelphia Eagles.

As usual, each team will play six division games, four games against a division within its conference and another four games against a division from the opposite conference.

Below are the 2026 opponents for every team, listed by division and order of finish this season. The schedule itself will be announced sometime this spring.

AFC EAST
1. New England Patriots
Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh
Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Seattle

2. Buffalo Bills
Home: Miami, New England, N.Y. Jets, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers
Away: Miami, New England, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Green Bay, Houston, Las Vegas, L.A. Rams, Minnesota

3. Miami Dolphins
Home: Buffalo, New England, N.Y. Jets, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers
Away: Buffalo, New England, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, San Francisco

4. New York Jets
Home: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Cleveland, Denver, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota
Away: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Arizona, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Tennessee

AFC NORTH
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Atlanta, Carolina, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis
Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville, New England, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Tennessee

2. Baltimore Ravens
Home: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, L.A. Chargers, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee
Away: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis

3. Cincinnati Bengals
Home: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee
Away: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, Washington

4. Cleveland Browns
Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas
Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, N.Y. Giants, N.Y. Jets, Tennessee

AFC SOUTH
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Cleveland, New England, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington
Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, N.Y. Giants

2. Houston Texans
Home: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Dallas, N.Y. Giants
Away: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Green Bay, L.A. Chargers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington

3. Indianapolis Colts
Home: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Miami, N.Y. Giants
Away: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Cleveland, Kansas City, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington

4. Tennessee Titans
Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, N.Y. Jets, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington
Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, N.Y. Giants

AFC WEST
1. Denver Broncos
Home: Kansas City, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Buffalo, Jacksonville, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle
Away: Kansas City, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, Carolina, New England, N.Y. Jets, Pittsburgh, San Francisco

2. Los Angeles Chargers
Home: Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Arizona, Houston, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco
Away: Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Buffalo, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle, Tampa Bay

3. Kansas City Chiefs
Home: Denver, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, Indianapolis, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco
Away: Denver, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Atlanta, Buffalo, Cincinnati, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle

4. Las Vegas Raiders
Home: Denver, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Buffalo, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle, Tennessee
Away: Denver, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Arizona, Cleveland, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco

NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Washington, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Pittsburgh, Seattle
Away: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Washington, Arizona, Chicago, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Tennessee

2. Dallas Cowboys
Home: N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Arizona, Baltimore, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Tennessee
Away: N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Green Bay, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Seattle

3. Washington Commanders
Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Seattle
Away: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Arizona, Jacksonville, Minnesota, San Francisco, Tennessee

4. New York Giants
Home: Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Arizona, Cleveland, Jacksonville, New Orleans, San Francisco, Tennessee
Away: Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, L.A. Rams, Seattle

NFC NORTH
1. Chicago Bears
Home: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Jacksonville, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay
Away: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Miami, Seattle

2. Green Bay Packers
Home: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Dallas, Houston, Miami
Away: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, L.A. Rams, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, Tampa Bay

3. Minnesota Vikings
Home: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Indianapolis, Miami, Washington
Away: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco, Tampa Bay

4. Detroit Lions
Home: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, New England, New Orleans, N.Y. Giants, N.Y. Jets, Tampa Bay, Tennessee
Away: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Arizona, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Miami

NFC SOUTH
1. Carolina Panthers
Home: Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, Seattle
Away: Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Green Bay, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Home: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Cleveland, Green Bay, L.A. Chargers, L.A. Rams, Minnesota, Pittsburgh
Away: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit

3. Atlanta Falcons
Home: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City, San Francisco
Away: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Green Bay, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Washington

4. New Orleans Saints
Home: Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Cleveland, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh
Away: Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, N.Y. Giants

NFC WEST
1. Seattle Seahawks
Home: Arizona, L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, New England, N.Y. Giants
Away: Arizona, L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Carolina, Denver, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Washington

2. Los Angeles Rams
Home: Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, Buffalo, Dallas, Green Bay, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, N.Y. Giants
Away: Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Washington

3. San Francisco 49ers
Home: Arizona, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Washington
Away: Arizona, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, N.Y. Giants

4. Arizona Cardinals
Home: L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, N.Y. Jets, Philadelphia, Washington
Away: L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, New Orleans, N.Y. Giants

–Field Level Media

ACC reveals ‘26 schedule: Some play 9 league games, others 8

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlantic Coast Conference revealed Tuesday that not all 17 of its football members will make the move to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026.

Instead, 12 teams will play nine games while Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech and North Carolina will have eight games in what the league called a “transition year” to its new scheduling policy.

The ACC said in a news release that the unique format for 2026 was “designed to balance competitive equity, honor existing nonconference game contracts and account for the league’s unique 17-team footprint.”

Beginning in 2027, 16 teams will play a nine-game ACC schedule and also be required to schedule one other Power 4 opponent. Because of the odd number of member institutions, one team each season will be scheduled for eight ACC games and must schedule two Power 4 opponents elsewhere.

“Today’s announcement of our 2026 football league opponents is another significant and intentional step forward for ACC Football,” commissioner Jim Phillips said in a statement. “Transitioning to a nine-game conference schedule strengthens our competitive framework, aligns us with the other Power Four conferences and provides greater consistency for our student-athletes, coaches and fans. This phased approach reflects our commitment to competitive equity, scheduling flexibility and delivering a premier football product across all 17 institutions.”

The league announced its decision to join the Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC with a nine-game conference schedule back on Sept. 22.

The ACC also said in its release that its tiebreaker policy will be updated and announced sometime before the 2026 season.

The league caught flak for 7-5 Duke winning a five-way tiebreaker among 6-2 ACC teams to qualify for the championship game against Virginia. The unranked Blue Devils upset the Cavaliers for the conference title, and come College Football Playoff selection time, two Group of Five champions — Tulane and James Madison — were ranked higher than Duke and got in the field as the No. 11 and 12 seeds.

–Field Level Media

NFL to use commemorative ball in 2026 to mark nation’s 250th birthday

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The NFL will mark the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026 with embossing on the footballs and special field markings.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a news release Wednesday that the NFL has been working with the White House Salute to America 250 Task Force to take part in celebrating the nation’s 1776 founding.

The marking on the ball says “America 250,” with the stylized number colored in red, white and blue that has been adopted by organizers of the nationwide celebration.

“The NFL is proud to participate in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary,” Goodell said. “The story of the NFL reflects the story of America, and the American spirit of resilience, innovation and teamwork has helped football grow into a cultural pastime that unites us all. We are excited to honor our country’s history and celebrate our collective future.”

The NFL made a similar gesture during the nation’s bicentennial year in 1976.

The balls will be put into play in Week 18 during the Jan. 3 and 4 games to start the year-long celebration, which will run through the 2026 season.

In addition to the special balls and field insignias, commemorative coins will be used during pregame coin flips.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell watches during an NFL International Series game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Roger Goodell confirms NFL returning to Mexico City in 2026

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the league will return to Mexico City in 2026, confirming the next game at Estadio Azteca, as the venue nears completion of its World Cup renovation.

“We’ll be back in Mexico City next year, which we’re thrilled about,” the commissioner said at the Leaders in Sport conference in London, marking the league’s first on-the-record timetable for a Mexico game since the stadium closed for upgrades.

The commitment aligns with Azteca’s planned reopening ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico City officials have said that the revamped stadium will be ready in early 2026, following a multi-year overhaul to meet FIFA standards. That construction forced the NFL to pause its Mexico games from 2023 through 2025.

Estadio Azteca last hosted the NFL in 2022, when the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 38-10 on Monday Night Football. The league had staged multiple regular-season matchups there across the past two decades, including the landmark 2005 game that marked the first NFL regular-season contest played outside the United States.

Specifics for the 2026 return — date, teams and broadcast details — will be announced at a later date. But Goodell’s confirmation formalizes what had been widely anticipated once Azteca’s timeline firmed up. The venue’s upgrades include revamped player facilities and hospitality areas, along with seating changes tied to World Cup hosting.

–Field Level Media

Jul 24, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) looks on during training camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Eagles’ Saquon Barkley, Lane Johnson lead Madden ’99 Club’

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Cover star Saquon Barkley and Philadelphia Eagles teammate Lane Johnson lead the seven players who received 99 ratings for the “Madden NFL 26” video game, EA Sports announced Tuesday.

Joining the Super Bowl LIX champion running back and right tackle in the prestigious “99 Club” are reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and fellow quarterback Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive end Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.

The selections marked a changing of the guard, as none of the seven members received 99 ratings in the “Madden NFL 25” edition.

Jefferson previously made the cut in 2024, as did Garrett in 2023. Allen (2024) and Jackson (2021) previously were featured on the Madden cover.

–Field Level Media

Ohio State and Texas are among the finalists for Georgia prep linebacker Xavier Griffin.

5-star LB Xavier Griffin set to announce college choice on Sunday

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Xavier Griffin, ranked by the 247Sports composite as the No. 2 linebacker in the Class of 2026, is scheduled to announce his college commitment on Sunday afternoon.

A 6-foot-3, 200-pound player, Griffin has four finalists: Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State and Texas. He plays at Gainesville (Ga.) High School.

The composite also lists the five-star as the No. 27 overall prospect in the nation. He has made official visits at all four schools since May 30.

According to 247Sports, Griffin has made 97 tackles and 21 sacks and added three forced fumbles over the past two seasons.

Tyler Atkinson, the nation’s No. 1 prospect at linebacker, has yet to commit. From Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga., he has taken official visits to Clemson, Georgia, Oregon and Texas.

–Field Level Media

St. Bonaventure's Dylan Dunst tackles Folsom quarterback Ryder Lyons during the fourth quarter of the CIF-State Division 1-A state championship bowl at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. St. Bonaventure lost 20-14.

5-star QB Ryder Lyons commits to BYU over Oregon

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons committed to BYU on Tuesday, choosing the Cougars over his other finalist, Oregon.

The 247Sports composite ranks him as the No. 5 quarterback in the 2026 class and No. 19 overall in the nation.

For Oregon, landing a 5-star prospect isn’t unusual, but it is for the Cougars. Per 247Sports, he is the highest-ranked commitment for BYU since offensive lineman Ofa Mohetau pledged in 2003 and also the third-highest recruit of the rankings era.

He made official visits to both BYU and Oregon this month.

Lyons, who plays at Folsom High School in Northern California, made his announcement Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“To be honest, I’m just so blessed,” he told McAfee. “I’m so blessed, but I’m just appreciative. It’s been incredible. It’s been a long journey. I got my first scholarship in eighth grade, so we’ve been at this for a while.”

That offer came from BYU, he told McAfee.

BYU will not have him available until the 2027 season, however. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lyons plans to take a one-year Mormon mission after graduation next spring.

In his junior season, Lyons tallied 3,011 yards, 46 touchdowns and six interceptions. He gained 585 on 118 carries and scored 14 more touchdowns.

He was the top uncommitted quarterback in the 2026 class.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; General view of the second half between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Rose Bowl college football quarterfinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

CFP dates, times locked in; Rose Bowl moves up one hour

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The College Football Playoff announced game times for the 2026 quarterfinals and semifinals and the national championship game on Tuesday.

The CFP championship, to be played in Miami Gardens, Fla., will be played on the third Monday in January for the second straight year, Jan. 19, with a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

The quarterfinals will be split between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. After the Cotton Bowl is played Dec. 31 at 7:30 ET, Jan. 1 will see a tripleheader of the Orange Bowl, the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl.

Notably, the Rose Bowl kicks off at 4 ET/1 PT, one hour earlier than it’s traditionally played. Famous for its midgame sunset over the stadium, the game’s new time means the sunset may occur much later in the game, or after the game ends altogether.

The Orange Bowl will kick off the tripleheader at noon ET, and the Sugar Bowl will begin at 8 ET.

The Fiesta and Peach Bowls will take their turns as semifinal hosts in 2026. The Fiesta Bowl will be played Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 ET, and the Peach Bowl will come Friday, Jan. 9 at the same time.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick at Loudermilk Center for Excellence. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

TCU, North Carolina to kick off 2026 in Ireland

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TCU and North Carolina will kick off the 2026 college football season in Dublin, Ireland.

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic will be held at Aviva Stadium on Aug. 29, 2026.

This will be the first overseas game for both schools.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for our program and we’re excited to represent the university and our fans on an international stage,” first-year Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick said.

The Horned Frogs will be the designated home team, as the game originally was scheduled for Sept. 5, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.

“This is more than just a football game. It’s an opportunity to advance TCU’s brand globally while having our student-athletes experience a unique educational opportunity and memory of a lifetime,” TCU athletic director Mike Buddie said.

Georgia Tech edged Florida State 24-21 in the 2024 Aer Lingus Classic in Dublin, where the announced attendance was 47,998.

This season’s matchup in the Irish capital will see Iowa State take on Kansas State on Aug. 23.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Report: Mike McCarthy not in Saints’ plans, focused on ’26

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Mike McCarthy is out of the running for the New Orleans Saints’ head coaching job and no longer plans to coach in 2025, ESPN reported late Tuesday.

The Dallas Cowboys didn’t renew the contract of McCarthy following a 7-10 season in 2024. He was 49-35 with two NFC East titles in five seasons in Dallas. He is 174-112-2 in 18 seasons as a head coach, including 125 wins and a Super Bowl championship with the Green Bay Packers (2006-18).

McCarthy, 61, was scheduled to have a first interview with the Saints this week but instead will focus on the 2026 hiring cycle, ESPN and NFL Network reported.

He interviewed for the vacancy in Chicago earlier this month before the Bears hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

The Saints are currently the only team without a head coach after firing Dennis Allen in November after a 2-7 start. New Orleans went 3-5 under interim coach Darren Rizzi.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has emerged as a “lead candidate,” ESPN reported. He is one of three candidates who have conducted second interviews with the Saints, along with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.

–Field Level Media