2026 NFL Week 1 Preview: The Games That Could Change the Playoff Race

NFL Week 1 is here — and some of the biggest games on the schedule could immediately reshape the playoff and Super Bowl picture.

Aaron Schatz and Mike Tanier break down the opening week of the 2026 NFL season, starting with a review of New England vs. Seattle before turning their attention to four major Week 1 matchups.

🏈 49ers vs. Rams in Australia

What does the opener mean for two NFC West contenders? A Rams win pushes their projected Super Bowl chances from 12.1% to 18.6%, while San Francisco’s playoff outlook swings dramatically depending on the result.

🏈 Bills at Texans

Two of the top teams in our AFC projections meet immediately. Buffalo and Houston enter Week 1 with major playoff implications already on the line.

🏈 Packers at Vikings

An NFC North matchup with an early opportunity for either team to gain ground in what could become one of the league’s most competitive divisions.

🏈 Commanders at Eagles

Can Washington make an early statement against Philadelphia, or will the Eagles immediately reinforce their status as one of the NFC’s top contenders?

Aaron and Mike dig into the matchups, projections, playoff implications, key numbers and the biggest questions heading into the first full week of NFL action.

Games covered: