Tag: schedule

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

[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 5, 2025; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Kansas City Chiefs fans inside the stadium before a NFL game at Corinthians Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images

NFL commits to 3 games in Rio de Janeiro beginning in ’26

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL announced a commitment Friday to play at least three regular season games over five years in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, starting next season.

The first game will take place in 2026 at historic Maracana Stadium, a 78,000-capacity facility that opened for the 1950 FIFA World Cup and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies for the Summer Olympics in 2016.

According to the league, Brazil is home to more than 36 million NFL fans. Games have been played in Week 1 in each of the past two seasons in Sao Paulo.

“Building on the success of the games in Sao Paulo, we could not be more excited to play in one of the world’s most iconic cities — Rio de Janeiro,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We look forward to working closely with our city and state partners in Rio along with the historic Maracana Stadium to deepen our ties to the tens of millions of fans in Brazil and across South America.”

Maracana Stadium also hosted the men’s World Cup in 2014 and will host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.

“The National Football League’s multiyear partnership with Rio, a vibrant city where people want to be, is a perfect match,” said Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes. “It will be a historic event, as NFL games will be included on our city’s official calendar. I’m looking forward to seeing an American football game at Maracana, the most iconic temple of world football.”

On Sept. 5, a crowd of 47,627 fans filled Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo to see the Los Angeles Chargers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-21.

Participants and a specific date for next year’s game in Brazil will be determined later.

Rio de Janeiro joins a growing list of NFL international host cities, with games also being played this year in Dublin, London, Berlin and Madrid.

–Field Level Media

Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Keldric Faulk (15) takes down Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26) as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Auburn Tigers 28-14.

Report: SEC slate to see 3 repeat opponents for next 4 seasons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Football teams in the SEC will become more familiar with each other under a new schedule expected to be revealed Tuesday that does away with a divisional system that saw some teams go six seasons without playing each other, ESPN reported Monday.

Under the new nine-game schedule that is reportedly set for the next four years, teams will play each SEC opponent every two years and ultimately visit every SEC venue over that span.

Each team will have three annual repeat opponents, six rotating opponents and an annual power conference/Notre Dame opponent, ESPN reported.

When designing the schedule, SEC officials reportedly used a formula that combined league records from the last four years, while trying to honor longstanding rivalries like Georgia-Florida to create balance in the schedule. When considering Oklahoma and Texas, which joined the SEC in 2024, SEC officials used Big 12 data from the previous three seasons.

The new schedule — which is being built with a clean slate so may include repeat games from the previous season — will be formally announced Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network and ESPN2.

The repeat opponents are as follows, per ESPN:

Alabama: Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State
Arkansas: LSU, Texas, Missouri
Auburn: Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt
Georgia: Auburn, Florida, South Carolina
Florida: Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina
Kentucky: Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee
LSU: Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Arkansas
Mississippi State: Alabama, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
Missouri: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M
Oklahoma: Missouri, Ole Miss, Texas
Ole Miss: LSU, Mississippi State, Oklahoma
South Carolina: Georgia, Florida, Kentucky
Tennessee: Alabama, Kentucky, Vanderbilt
Texas: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M
Texas A&M: LSU, Missouri, Texas
Vanderbilt: Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee

–Field Level Media

Dec 7, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; ACC commissioner James Phillips presents Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney with the trophy after the Tigers won the 2024 ACC Championship game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Report: ACC to require 10 Power 4 games on schedule

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlantic Coast Conference plans to require all league members to schedule at least 10 games against Power 4 competition, ESPN reported.

The ACC is closing in on the change to its format ahead of Monday’s meeting of athletic directors in Charlotte, N.C.

A sticking point, however, according to the report, is whether to schedule eight or nine intraconference contests. Proponents of the eight-game slate — the “8+2” model — want the added flexibility for schools who already have an annual rivalry with a nonconference opponent.

“The ACC committing to go to 10 Power 4 games is a big step forward,” Clemson athletic director Graham Neff said, per ESPN. “It’s indicative of where college football is and leans into emphasizing the importance of strength of schedule and more Power 4 matchups.”

Neff is among a “handful of ADs” who are concerned that playing nine ACC games will limit their ability to schedule nonconference games against marquee competition. Clemson played LSU this season, has an annual game against rival South Carolina and is adding a yearly meeting with Notre Dame starting in 2027.

An ESPN poll of the ACC’s 17 athletic directors found that 13 were open to the nine-game model. ACC members currently play eight league games.

Last month, the Southeastern Conference announced it is moving from eight games to nine games in league play.

“I think it’d be awfully strange to be the only conference not at nine conference games,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said, per ESPN. “Usually, when you’re the only one doing something, it’s either really good or really bad. It just feels like you’d want continuity in what everybody does in college sports.”

–Field Level Media

Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; SEC commissioner Greg Sankey speaks to the media during the SEC Media Day at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

SEC to introduce 9-game football schedule in 2026

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Southeastern Conference will move to a nine-game conference schedule in football beginning next year, the league announced Thursday.

The SEC joins the Big Ten and Big 12 in upping their conference slates from eight games to nine. That leaves the Atlantic Coast Conference as the only Power Four league still at eight as of 2026.

Additionally, the SEC will direct its schools to use one of its three nonconference games to face a “high-quality” opponent from one of the other three power conferences or Notre Dame.

Some schools are locked into traditional, annual rivalries outside the SEC — Florida against Florida State, South Carolina against Clemson, Georgia against Georgia Tech — but several more are not.

“Adding a ninth SEC game underscores our universities’ commitment to delivering the most competitive football schedule in the nation,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement. “This format protects rivalries, increases competitive balance, and paired with our requirement to play an additional Power opponent, ensures SEC teams are well prepared to compete and succeed in the College Football Playoff.”

The SEC has considered the switch to a nine-game schedule for years, but it was finally approved by a meeting of the conference’s presidents and chancellors.

The league will continue to operate without divisions, which were done away with following the 2023 season. Each team will play three protected opponents annually, which will cover a number of rivalry games.

The other six games will rotate in such a way that ensures each team will face every other SEC foe once every two years, and have every opponent home and away every four years.

“The SEC has established itself as the leader in delivering the most compelling football schedule in college athletics,” Sankey said. “Fans will see traditional rivalries preserved, new matchups more frequently, and a level of competition unmatched across the nation.”

–Field Level Media

Before the NFL reaches the Super Bowl at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara in February, we're looking at the most intriguing games on the 2025 schedule. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

2025 NFL games to watch

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pack your bags. The NFL is heading to Spain, Brazil, Ireland, Germany — and London, of course — and has loaded up on compelling domestic encounters in the U.S. in a 2025 season that begins in the City of Brotherly Love with a pairing of hated NFC East rivals.

NFL teams and fanbases have known their regular-season opponents for months, but the sequence of the schedule brings the road map to Santa Clara, Calif., and Super Bowl LX into sharp focus.

With the regular-season calendar complete minus a flex schedule audible or three, here are the games we find most compelling:

Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 14
Super Bowl opponents in two of the past three seasons, the greatest threat to a constant Chiefs’ victory lap is the Eagles. Credit the mastery of front-office guru Howie Roseman for restocking the Eagles on the fly, adding high-end talent to complement existing core players while Kansas City has something to prove due to a dud in New Orleans last February.

Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs, Oct. 12
When these teams met to open the 2023 season, the Lions declared their legitimacy with a 21-20 win, holding the Chiefs to a pair of second-half field goals. For most of last season, they appeared to be on a collision course in Super Bowl LIX with matching 15-2 records in the regular season.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sept. 4
The first game of the 2025 regular season puts the spotlight on the reigning Super Bowl champions, who also had a primetime feature in 2024 and beat the Green Bay Packers in Brazil.

Dallas always draws an audience, but can the Cowboys measure up? Dak Prescott is 9-4 in his career against the Eagles and returns from a season-ending hamstring injury that cost him the final 10 games of the 2024 season. He lines up behind a reconfigured offensive line knowing the Eagles made Patrick Mahomes look mortal under constant duress when we last saw their defense.

By the time Super Bowl LIX banners are raised and rings fitted, the Cowboys will have plenty of reminders that the Eagles are world champions – and the Cowboys are not for the 30th consecutive season. And those reminders will pave the path to Philly’s first game since beating the Chiefs to cap an 18-3 season defined by a dominant running game, Saquon Barkley’s season for the ages and a loaded defense. Unaccustomed to taking a bow against the Cowboys while going winless in the matchup as a member of the Giants, Barkley (2-10 career vs. Dallas) had 45 carries for 233 yards and swept America’s Team last season. The Cowboys mustered a grand total of 13 points in two blowout losses (34-6 and 41-7).

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers, Monday, Nov. 10
A primetime rematch at Lambeau after Philly took two from the Packers last season — one in Brazil and another in the NFC wild-card game — it will be the first time the Packers get the Eagles on their home turf since 2020. That 30-16 win was Aaron Rodgers (three TD passes) vs. Jalen Hurts, and was followed by the Packers’ current three-game losing streak in the series.

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 28
Lamar Jackson came within a toenail — Isaiah Likely’s — of pulling the Ravens to a 27-26 deficit in the Week 1 loss at Kansas City last season. Likely’s TD catch was overturned upon replay review because he had a toe land out of bounds. Head coach John Harbaugh never had the chance to go for the game-winning two-point conversion he insisted was planned, but this semi-regular matchup has multiple memorable moments in late-game situations.

Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles, Nov. 16
The Lions have ruled the regular season two years in a row, all without playing in the Super Bowl. The NFC Championship currently goes through Philadelphia, where the Lions last visited in 2019. The Eagles beat the Lions 38-35 in Detroit in 2022 behind four rushing touchdowns and a 10-catch, 155-yard effort from WR A.J. Brown.

Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders, Oct. 13
We were tempted to tease the Ben Johnson return to Detroit and are intrigued by other matchups involving Caleb Williams, but Chicago’s most interesting game involving compelling subplots is the rematch of last season’s Fail Mary defeat at Washington. Williams, who is from the DC area, had the Bears in position to beat Jayden Daniels and the Commanders until a 52-yard bomb won it for Washington and spelled the beginning of the end for fired head coach Matt Eberflus.

Daniels was the No. 2 pick last season, right after the Bears drafted Williams, and looked like one of the best at the position with two wild-card playoff road wins to cap his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.

Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Nov. 2
OK, we get it. You are looking for something other than another Chiefs matchup, too. We can understand your desire to avoid the KC hype machine, but the history between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen should pull in viewers no matter the stakes. Allen is 0-4 against the Chiefs in the playoffs, but 4-1 in the regular season. Allen, 28, won a tight MVP race over Lamar Jackson, another 28-year-old veering into Rivers and Moon Territory as the best quarterback unable to reach a Super Bowl. To get there, taking down the Chiefs most likely would be part of the mission.

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers, Oct. 26
Short of the NFL giving us a Tuesday night game to celebrate the 42nd birthday of Aaron Rodgers (Dec. 2), the only other thing that could make this a better draw would be playing it at Lambeau Field and having a jersey retirement at halftime for ‘ol (said with emphasis) No. 12. He has not signed a thing, but we are still betting Rodgers suits up for the Steelers and goes toe-to-toe with Jordan Love in a dramatic duel we’ll all be ready for because of a tireless hype machine pregame.

Worth Watching:
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills, Sept. 7
The Ravens annihilated Buffalo 35-10 behind 199 rushing yards from Derrick Henry last September, then coughed up the rematch in January in the AFC divisional playoffs, 27-25, in the game Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews wants deleted from the NFL Films archives. Buffalo came up with three takeaways to claim the win.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings, Nov. 30
Sam Darnold’s weaknesses were on display in Seahawks’ highlighter green down the stretch for the Vikings last season. Will he recover to be a capable replacement for Geno Smith in Seattle and beat his replacement in Minnesota, J.J. McCarthy?

San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans, Oct. 26
Former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans knows where the bodies are buried in the Kyle Shanahan scheme, and vice versa. An overhaul of Houston’s offensive line might have harsh repercussions if GM Nick Caserio didn’t push the right buttons. But it’s the Texans’ defense — namely the pass rush and secondary — that we’re eager to see in action.

New York Giants at Denver Broncos, Oct. 19
Will Russ be cooking when he makes his way to Denver two years removed from his friction-filled tenure as Sean Payton’s pupil? He was hurt last season when the Steelers traveled to beat the Broncos and polished QB Bo Nix.

Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins, Nov. 16
In a game long rumored to be ticketed for Madrid instead of Miami, a tantalizing pairing of offensive masterminds should be enough of a draw. The potential contenders – if the Dolphins are healthy – feature a boatload of talent and interesting matchups across the board.

Oct 13, 2024; London, United Kingdom; The 2024 NFL London Games, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears logo on the facade at an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL announces schedule for Dublin, London, Berlin, Madrid

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL revealed on Tuesday the participants in this season’s international games in Ireland, England, Germany and Spain.

The league previously announced that the Los Angeles Chargers will open the season at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5, but their opponent won’t be known until Wednesday’s full schedule release.

The Minnesota Vikings will become the first team to play back-to-back international contests in different countries, facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin on Sept. 28 at Croke Park before playing the Cleveland Browns at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 5.

“Playing in Ireland’s first-ever NFL game is an opportunity to introduce new fans to the Minnesota Vikings and help the league continue to make the game of football more accessible globally,” Vikings owner Mark Wilf said in a statement. “To do so against a storied franchise like the Pittsburgh Steelers adds a unique challenge that makes this even more special. We are honored to be selected for this historic game and will be anxious to see what promises to be an electric game day environment in Croke Park.”

Action continues in London on Oct. 12 with the Denver Broncos facing the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, followed by the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 19.

The scene shifts to Germany on Nov. 9 with the Atlanta Falcons meeting the Indianapolis Colts at historic Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

Finally, the NFL travels to Spain on Nov. 16 where the Washington Commanders will clash with the Miami Dolphins at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

All of the announced international meetings will air on NFL Network.

The full NFL schedule will be released on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

–Field Level Media

Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detail view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Thinking of next year? NFL finalizes opponents for 2025

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For fans of the 18 NFL teams that did not reach the playoffs, it’s understandable to spend Black Monday thinking about next year.

The 2024 regular season concluded Sunday with the Detroit Lions’ 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings to secure both the NFC North title and the top playoff seed in the conference. When that game was complete, the league was able to finalize the list of opponents for every team in 2025.

In the 17-game 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.

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 2025 opponents for every team, listed by division. The schedule itself will be announced sometime this spring.

AFC EAST
1. Buffalo Bills
Home: Miami, New England, N.Y. Jets, Baltimore, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Philadelphia
Away: Miami, New England, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston

2. Miami Dolphins
Home: Buffalo, New England, N.Y. Jets, Baltimore, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, L.A. Chargers, Washington
Away: Buffalo, New England, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis

3. New York Jets
Home: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Atlanta, Carolina, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Denver, Dallas
Away: Buffalo, Miami, New England, Baltimore, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville

4. New England Patriots
Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Atlanta, Carolina, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, N.Y. Giants
Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Baltimore, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Tennessee

AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore Ravens
Home: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Detroit, New England, N.Y. Jets, Houston,?L.A. Rams
Away: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Green Bay, Miami, Minnesota, Kansas City

2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo, Green Bay, Minnesota, Miami, Indianapolis, Seattle
Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, New England, N.Y. Jets, L.A. Chargers

3. Cincinnati Bengals
Home: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Detroit, New England, N.Y. Jets, Jacksonville, Arizona
Away: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Green Bay, Miami, Minnesota, Denver

4. Cleveland Browns
Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Green Bay, Miami, Minnesota, Tennessee, San Francisco
Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Detroit, New England, N.Y. Jets, Las Vegas

AFC SOUTH
1. Houston Texans
Home: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Arizona, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Buffalo, Tampa Bay
Away: Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Baltimore

2. Indianapolis Colts
Home: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Arizona, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta
Away: Houston, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Pittsburgh

3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, L.A. Rams, Seattle, N.Y. Jets, Carolina
Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Arizona, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Cincinnati

4. Tennessee Titans
Home: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, L.A. Rams, Seattle, New England, New Orleans
Away: Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Arizona, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Cleveland

AFC WEST
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Home: Denver, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, Detroit
Away: Denver, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Dallas, Jacksonville, N.Y. Giants, Tennessee, Buffalo

2. Los Angeles Chargers
Home: Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Minnesota
Away: Denver, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Dallas, Jacksonville, N.Y. Giants, Tennessee, Miami

3. Denver Broncos
Home: Kansas City, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Dallas, Jacksonville, N.Y. Giants, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Green Bay
Away: Kansas City, Las Vegas, L.A. Chargers, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, N.Y. Jets

4. Las Vegas Raiders
Home: Denver, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Dallas, Jacksonville, N.Y. Giants, Tennessee, Cleveland, Chicago
Away: Denver, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Houston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, New England

NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Washington, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, L.A. Rams
Away: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Washington, Green Bay, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Minnesota, Buffalo, Tampa Bay

2. Washington Commanders
Home: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Seattle
Away: Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Green Bay, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Minnesota, Miami, Atlanta

3. Dallas Cowboys
Home: N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Green Bay, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Minnesota, Arizona
Away: N.Y. Giants, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, N.Y. Jets, Carolina

4. New York Giants
Home: Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Green Bay, Kansas City, L.A. Chargers, Minnesota, San Francisco
Away: Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, New England, New Orleans

NFC NORTH
1. Detroit Lions
Home: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Cleveland, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay
Away: Chicago, Green Bay, Minnesota, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Washington, Kansas City, L.A. Rams

2. Minnesota Vikings
Home: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta
Away: Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Cleveland, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, L.A. Chargers, Seattle

3. Green Bay Packers
Home: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Washington, Carolina
Away: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota, Cleveland, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, Denver, Arizona

4. Chicago Bears
Home: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Cleveland, Dallas, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, New Orleans
Away: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Washington, Las Vegas, San Francisco

NFC SOUTH
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Home: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Arizona, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco, Philadelphia
Away: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Buffalo, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle, Houston, Detroit

2. Atlanta Falcons
Home: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, L.A Rams, Miami, Seattle, Washington
Away: Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Arizona, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Minnesota

3. Carolina Panthers
Home: Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, L.A. Rams, Miami, Seattle, Dallas
Away: Atlanta, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Arizona, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Green Bay

4. New Orleans Saints
Home: Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Arizona, New England, N.Y. Jets, San Francisco, N.Y. Giants
Away: Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Buffalo, Miami, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Tennessee, Chicago

NFC WEST
1. Los Angeles Rams
Home: Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Detroit
Away: Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Carolina, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Baltimore, Philadelphia

2. Seattle Seahawks
Home: Arizona, L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Minnesota
Away: Arizona, L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Atlanta, Carolina, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Washington

3. Arizona Cardinals
Home: L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Carolina, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Green Bay
Away: L.A. Rams, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Dallas

4. San Francisco 49ers
Home: Arizona, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Atlanta, Carolina, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Chicago
Away: Arizona, L.A. Rams, Seattle, Houston, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, N.Y. Giants

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws from the pocket during the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

NFL wild-card schedule includes Steelers-Ravens showdown

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL finalized its schedule for the wild-card round of the playoffs Sunday evening after results from the late-afternoon window put most of the final puzzle pieces into place.

The Los Angeles Chargers, by defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 34-20, finished the season 11-6 and secured the No. 5 seed in the AFC over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chargers’ AFC West foes from Denver took care of business against a resting Chiefs team, winning 38-0 to lock up the conference’s seventh and final bid.

The Steelers, who lost four straight games to end the regular season, must face the rival Baltimore Ravens for a third time in the AFC’s No. 3 vs. No. 6 game. The teams split their season series but the Ravens won the AFC North by two games.

On the NFC side, the Los Angeles Rams lost 30-25 to the Seattle Seahawks, pushing them behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the pecking order. Tampa Bay, which clinched the NFC South earlier in the day by beating the Saints 27-19, took over the No. 3 seed and the Rams settled for No. 4.

The following is the schedule for the first round of the NFL postseason. The only determination left to make will be the No. 5 seed in the NFC. That will go to the loser of the Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions game on “Sunday Night Football” as the winner claims the NFC North crown, the top seed and the first-round bye.

Saturday, Jan. 11

No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) at No. 4 Houston Texans (10-7), 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS

No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (12-5), 8 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 12

No. 7 Denver Broncos (10-7) at No. 2 Buffalo Bills (13-4), 1 p.m. ET, CBS

No. 7 Green Bay Packers (11-6) at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (14-3), 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

No. 6 Washington Commanders (12-5) at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7), 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Monday, Jan. 13

No. 5 Minnesota Vikings OR Detroit Lions at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (10-7), 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

–Field Level Media