After 30 Sundays without him, the NFL is finally coming back into our lives. No, preseason didn’t count – we were waiting for the real thing.
The product itself can be better than before. The league said 2025 is the record for most playoff games decided by three points or fewer. Last season, 72 contests ended with a game-winning score in the fourth quarter or final five minutes of overtime, the second most in NFL history. We are very much here for whatever comes next.
With the Seattle opener and the marquee in Melbourne both settled, we now turn to Sunday’s busy schedule. Just like last year, I’ll be ranking the offerings for the 18 regular season Sunday slates. Each week will have a different theme, but I kept it simple for the week 1 drop. Here’s what I see as the top five games on our way.
All times listed are ET.
Week 1 Sunday viewing guide
| Game | time (ET) | TV | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bears at Panthers |
1 o’clock in the evening |
Fox |
|
|
Bills in Tex |
1 o’clock in the evening |
CBS |
|
|
Commanders in Eagles |
4:25 p.m |
Fox |
|
|
Packers at Vikings |
4:25 p.m |
CBS |
|
|
Cowboys at Giants |
8:20 p.m |
NBC |
CBS and Fox games in the market are free to air. “Sunday Night Football” is a national broadcast; NBC is free to air and is also streamed through Peacock’s premium plan.
5. Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
The two teams won the trophy last year by finishing at the end of last year. Both roll with the No. 1 draft pick: the Panthers’ Bryce Young in 2023 and the Bears’ Caleb Williams in 2024. Very politely, both gave us hair-raising efforts in the January playoffs.
Carolina took the Los Angeles Rams to the brink in a 34-31 wild card marathon. The young man made the best of his pro career and fought for heroism house call, Receiver Jalen Coker had a long-awaited breakthrough. Meanwhile, Williams became superhuman for two all-time Chicago sports moments. His “Jumpman” pass At the Green Bay Packers and against him The sky of the sky Rams to bind.
The Panthers return offensive rookie of the year wideout Tetairoa McMillan, and added big-ticket linebackers Devin Lloyd and Jaylan Phillips in free agency. The bears are ready Colston Loveland Ben Jonson wants to design a “pattern” to strictly follow the next stepHighest scoring offense everHe said.
Chicago native Adam Amin joins Drew Brees for the Fox call.
In 2026 we are looking at Caleb Williams
Kevin Fishbain and Dan Wiederer
4. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
John Harbaugh makes his Big Blue debut in one of the league’s oldest rivalries. Cowboys-Giants has been the site of “Sunday Night Football”. holds In the event horizon and Color dips to legend.
Harbaugh’s Giants have Malik Nabers and Cam Skatebo back on the field. Nabers went for 167 receiving yards and two touchdowns last September 40-37 overtime Banger selected their menacing sophomore Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and No. 5 Arvel Reese. Odell Beckham Jr. is it Back to the New York groove.
Dallas could be a particularly interesting watch with its electric offense. Dak Prescott is free to air Brian Schottenheimer on his headset. Five-time Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb is just shy of the career-high yards per reception mark. George Pickens is curvy, toe-tapping. Highlight reel.
The most damaged defense has completely worked itself out. Christian Parker is the new defensive coordinator. Rashaan Gary and future Hall of Famer Von Miller are now coming off the edge, and potential Defensive Rookie of the Year Caleb Dance is making his NFL debut.
Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth are in the SNF booth.
3. Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Cheeseheads and “Skol” chants link up for another platinum run, and hope has resurfaced in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
The visitors will be looking for redemption after their collapse against Chicago. It starts Jordan loveMann seems to have accepted his role as the franchise quarterback. Love finally has healthy receivers in 6-foot-4 Christian Watson and fleet-footed Jayden Reed. Tucker Kraft appeared to be a tipping tight end before his ACL tear in November. He is nowhere to be found on the Week 1 injury report. It’s all systems go for Matt LaFleur and his pack.
Redemption is on the line for Kyler Murray. Minnesota has been a place for a QB revival, as Sam Darnold And Case Keenum can confirm. Murray joins the Vikes after seven up-and-down years with the Arizona Cardinals and looks to be the next successful project in purple. He has creative strategist Kevin O’Connell as coach and top safety valve Justin Jefferson at receiver.
Jefferson could become the third fastest in league history to reach 8,500 receiving yards. With 20 or more yards on Sunday, he trails only Lance Alworth and Julio Jones, two true fullbacks at the position.
JJ Watt partnered with Jim Nantz for the first time on this CBS broadcast.
2. Philadelphia Eagles Washington Chiefs
Half of the NFC East gets the “America’s Game of the Week” treatment on Fox.
The Chiefs added Stefon Diggs along with “scary” Terry McClarin. After his rookie-year magic, Jayden Daniels got a chance to shake off an injury-plagued sophomore season. He is cunning and fearless at full strength. Don’t forget Philly. Sonny Stiles, the seventh pick in April’s draft, could make an immediate impact for Dan Quinn’s defense.
Few defenses are better than the Eagles’, which is loaded with playmakers like Jalen Carter, Zach Bown and Cooper DeJean. More daring changes come from the other side of the spectrum.
AJ Brown is no longer an Eagle, which means Devonta Smith is released as the WR1. First rounder Mackay Lemon could give the offense a new look. Saquon Barkley has Recreated human activity When given space. And Jalen Hurts is a flat-out winner. Per TruMedia, the Hearts have started their Week 1 five-game winning streak, and could tie Aaron Rodgers for the second-longest streak this century.
Tom Brady has the longest streak at 10. He’s on the mic with Kevin Burkert for Sunday’s game.
1. Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
Stampeding bison meet raging bulls for the best style clash of week 1. Buffalo ranked fourth in total offense last year, while Houston was No. 1 in total defense. Josh Allen, the senior MVP vote The athleticsA survey of decision makersHe is a torpedo with the ball in his hand. Will Anderson Jr. is ranked second behind Myles Garrett on the survey’s list of defensive closers. This should be very interesting.
Nobody makes late-game theatrics like the Bills. They started last season’s finals by the wire. won 27-24 He had four fourth-quarter touchdowns. It ended 33-30 OT wonder That cost Sean McDermott his job. McDermott’s successor, Joe Brady, will immediately take the reins of the Super Bowl for the franchise that has been so close for so long.
Allen has a new top target in DJ Moore, and 2025 reigning champion James Cook is here to squeeze the defense again. The front office also signed Bradley Chubb, who had four seasons with at least eight sacks.
DeMeco Ryans led Houston to three playoff appearances in his first three years as head coach. The fourth Tex turbo-motor is well-achieved when protection is provided. Anderson and Danielle Hunter form a fantasy duo over the passing months. As if the secondary wasn’t good enough at cornerback Derrick Stingley Jr. and safety Kalen Bullock, Houston will bring in former Eagles captain Reed Blankenship for added coverage this season.
if so CJ Stroud With rookie receiver Nico Collins and freshman running back David Montgomery, Houston could emerge as the AFC’s final boss.
Ian Eagle and Ross Tucker preview this potential playoff.
Updated 1 week odds
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