With the NFL's release of the full 2026 regular season schedule, fans now know what to look forward to on Sunday nights. There will be 18 games in the primetime window that will cap off Sundays throughout the fall.
The schedule kicks off with an NFC East matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 1. The Cowboys will appear on Sunday night three times, tying them with the Kansas City Chiefs for the most in the NFL.
The NFL also heads abroad with the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers squaring off in Mexico City in Week 11.
2026 Sunday Night Football Schedule Rankings
17. Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers (Week 4)
Two NFC playoff hopefuls wrap up the first month of the regular season. The Panthers are coming off an NFC South-winning season in 2025 and will look to build momentum around Bryce Young. The Lions aim to return to playoff contention after missing the postseason last year.
This matchup features star power at the skill positions with Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Tetairoa McMillan on the field.
16. Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons (Week 5)
Lamar Jackson under the Sunday Night Football lights always draws attention. The Falcons' quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. will determine whether this game remains in the lower tier or vaults higher.
If either quarterback takes the job and runs with it, the Falcons have a quarterback who can maximize their loaded talent at the skill positions. This becomes a potential track meet.
This game features Kevin Stefanski squaring off against a Baltimore team he's familiar with after coaching in the AFC North, along with a top-tier running back matchup between Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson.
15. Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 13)
This is a playoff rematch from Wild Card Weekend. In January, the Texans demolished the Steelers 30-6 in Pittsburgh, dropping 23 points in the fourth quarter to advance to the divisional round.
This should be a late-season matchup between two playoff hopefuls in the AFC. However, Aaron Rodgers is still unsigned and may not be Pittsburgh's quarterback. If he doesn't sign, the Steelers are looking at Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, or rookie Drew Allar.
C.J. Stroud struggled during the playoffs last season. If those issues arise in 2026, Houston's season could be turned upside down by early December.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (Week 10)
This game is a must-see matchup on paper, featuring an AFC North rivalry clash between the Steelers and Bengals with playoff implications.