What you need to know before week 1 of the NFL

September 13–14, 2026. All kickoff times are Eastern.

Bears at Panthers — Sunday, 1 p.m.

• Bears: Caleb Williams enters his second season under Ben Johnson after an 11-win division-title campaign. Chicago wants more consistency and fewer late-game rescue jobs, with Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III positioned for larger roles.
• Panthers: Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan look to build on last season’s division title. Carolina added Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd to strengthen its defense.
• Main storyline: Two young quarterbacks trying to prove last season’s progress can translate into sustained success.

Ravens at Colts — Sunday, 1 p.m.

• Ravens: Jesse Minter begins his first season replacing John Harbaugh. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry remain the offensive foundation, while improving a struggling pass defense is a major priority.
• Colts: Daniel Jones returns from his Achilles injury, with Jonathan Taylor anchoring the running game. Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward give Indianapolis significant talent in the secondary.
• Main storyline: Baltimore is retooling around its championship core, while Indianapolis wants to show that injuries—not a lack of talent—derailed last season.

Falcons at Steelers — Sunday, 1 p.m.

• Falcons: Kevin Stefanski’s debut comes with immediate quarterback complications. Tua Tagovailoa is out, Michael Penix Jr. remains in recovery, and Cooper Rush gets the start.
• Steelers: Mike McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin and reunites with Aaron Rodgers for what Rodgers has indicated will be his final season.
• Main storyline: Pittsburgh launches a veteran, win-now partnership while Atlanta tries to keep its offensive reset on track with a backup quarterback.

Browns at Jaguars — Sunday, 1 p.m.

• Browns: Todd Monken takes over as head coach, with Deshaun Watson returning as the starter. Cleveland’s defense also looks different after moving on from Myles Garrett and adding Jared Verse.
• Jaguars: Jacksonville enters the season with elevated expectations after a 13-win division championship. Trevor Lawrence begins his second year with Liam Coen, supported by a defense that excelled against the run.
• Main storyline: Cleveland is establishing a new identity, while Jacksonville wants to prove last season marked a lasting step into the AFC’s upper tier.

Buccaneers at Bengals — Sunday, 1 p.m.

• Buccaneers: Tampa Bay looks to recover from a season that started 6–2 and ended 8–9. With Mike Evans gone, more responsibility falls on Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Bucky Irving.
• Bengals: Joe Burrow returns after missing significant time with a toe injury. Cincinnati reinforced its defensive front with Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe.
• Main storyline: Both teams have offensive firepower. The question is whether they fixed the weaknesses that undermined last season.

Jets at Titans — Sunday, 1 p.m.

• Jets: Geno Smith returns as New York’s starting quarterback, with Frank Reich running the offense. Aaron Glenn takes over defensive playcalling, supported by additions Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
• Titans: Robert Saleh faces his former team in his Tennessee debut. Brian Daboll takes charge of developing second-year quarterback Cam Ward, with Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson joining the receiving group.
• Main storyline: The coaching and quarterback reunions grab attention, but Ward’s development is the biggest long-term story.

Saints at Lions — Sunday, 1 p.m.

• Saints: New Orleans continues building around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. Travis Etienne arrives to lead the running game and provide another offensive option.
• Lions: Drew Petzing takes over an offense built around Jared Goff. Detroit’s bigger immediate concern is its secondary, with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph both on injured reserve.
• Main storyline: Detroit wants to reestablish itself as a contender, but its depleted secondary gives New Orleans a potential opening.

Bills at Texans — Sunday, 1 p.m.

• Bills: Joe Brady makes his debut as head coach, and Jim Leonhard takes over the defense. DJ Moore gives Josh Allen another major receiving weapon.
• Texans: Houston needs a bounce-back season from C.J. Stroud. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter lead the pass rush, while David Montgomery adds another option in the backfield.
• Main storyline: Buffalo’s protection faces an immediate test against Houston’s pass rush, while Stroud looks to get the Texans’ offense back on track.

Cardinals at Chargers — Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

• Cardinals: Mike LaFleur begins a rebuild after a 3–14 season. Jacoby Brissett takes over at quarterback following the Kyler Murray era, with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride remaining key offensive pieces.
• Chargers: Mike McDaniel takes over the offense, and Justin Herbert gets Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back on the offensive line. The expectation is a more productive, better-supported passing attack.
• Main storyline: Los Angeles is looking for a jump into serious contention, while Arizona is trying to establish a new identity.

Packers at Vikings — Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

• Packers: Jonathan Gannon takes over the defense, but Green Bay opens without Micah Parsons. Offensive-line questions also put Jordan Love’s protection under the spotlight.
• Vikings: Kyler Murray starts at quarterback, with Carson Wentz backing him up and J.J. McCarthy third on the depth chart. Kevin O’Connell now gets the opportunity to revive Murray’s career.
• Main storyline: Murray’s Minnesota debut takes center stage, while Green Bay must navigate changes on defense and uncertainty up front.

Dolphins at Raiders — Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

• Dolphins: Miami begins the Jeff Hafley–Malik Willis era. Willis’ mobility and De’Von Achane’s explosiveness figure to be central to the offense.
• Raiders: Klint Kubiak takes over as head coach, with Kirk Cousins starting while No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza develops. Brock Bowers is out, increasing the importance of Ashton Jeanty and the running game.
• Main storyline: Both franchises are changing direction, but Miami is leaning into quarterback athleticism while Las Vegas starts with veteran experience.

Commanders at Eagles — Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

• Commanders: A healthy Jayden Daniels gets Stefon Diggs alongside Terry McLaurin, with David Blough taking over the offense. Washington also added Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson and Sonny Styles defensively, but opens without left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
• Eagles: Sean Mannion takes over as offensive coordinator as Philadelphia begins life without A.J. Brown. The focus is getting consistent production from the remaining offensive stars.
• Main storyline: Both offenses have changed, but Washington’s ability to protect Daniels against Philadelphia’s defensive front could define the matchup.

Cowboys at Giants — Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

• Cowboys: Dallas looks to improve a defense that undermined one of the league’s best offenses last season. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker leads the overhaul, with Rashan Gary and rookie Caleb Downs among the additions.
• Giants: John Harbaugh begins his tenure with second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart as the centerpiece. Malik Nabers’ availability remains an important question for the offense.
• Main storyline: Dallas needs its defense to support its offense, while New York wants immediate signs that Harbaugh can bring stability and help Dart progress.

Broncos at Chiefs — Monday, 8:15 p.m.

• Broncos: Bo Nix returns after the ankle injury that ended his postseason. Jaylen Waddle gives him another explosive receiving option, while Denver’s pass rush remains a major strength.
• Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes returns from his knee injury, with Kenneth Walker III joining the offense. With Josh Simmons out, rookie Kahlil Benson is expected to protect Mahomes’ blind side.
• Main storyline: Denver wants to establish itself as the AFC West’s standard, while Kansas City looks to prove last season’s disappointment was a setback rather than the start of a decline.