"Thursday Night Football" began during the 2006 season and has become an NFL staple. In 2012, it started on the second week of the regular season and concluded in Week 17. Amazon acquired the exclusive rights in 2021 and maintains those rights for 2026.
These standalone games are becoming more common in the NFL, giving the league a day other than Sunday and Monday. However, the short week means less practice and rest for players. NFL schedule makers absolutely crushed this year's slate.
2026 TNF Schedule Overview
Here's a rundown of every Thursday night game for the 2026 season. Each contest will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Week 12 Thanksgiving Slate
The Week 12 Thanksgiving slate features three games:
- Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
- Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (nightcap)
Ranking All 15 TNF Matchups
Now that we have our full "Thursday Night Football" schedule, let's attempt to rank these matchups 15-1. (Note: We're not including the special Thanksgiving games.)
15. Falcons at Packers (Week 3)
Tua Tagovailoa vs. Jordan Love. Or will it be Michael Penix Jr.? There's a question mark over the Falcons' quarterback position right now, but whoever is slinging the pigskin has some weaponry to utilize in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts.
As for the Packers, they're looking to finish better than the NFC's No. 7 seed this season — something they have done three straight years. Lambeau Field at night is something to behold, so this is an important early-season matchup vs. an NFC opponent for the Pack.
14. Panthers at Packers (Week 8)
This game is played on Oct. 29, so Lambeau Field will be full of Halloween costumes. That will make for a pretty sweet environment.
These two teams faced off in the middle of last season, and Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit a 49-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give Carolina a 16-13 victory. Both teams made the playoffs last year, but they aren't legitimate contenders.
13. Steelers at Browns (Week 4)
You never know what you're going to get when the Browns play the Steelers. Usually it's a low-scoring affair. This is a new iteration of an old rivalry, as both teams have new head coaches — Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh and Todd Monken in Cleveland.
12. Vikings at Patriots (Week 14)
These two franchises have faced off just 14 times. In this matchup, we expect to see Kyler Murray running around against Mike Vrabel's defense.
If Murray can win the quarterback battle against J.J. McCarthy and serve as an efficient point guard in Kevin O'Connell's offense, maybe the Vikings can get back to competing in 2026.
As for the Patriots, they are looking to prove that 2025 wasn't a fluke. After having the easiest strength of schedule since 1999 on the way to the Super Bowl, New England is expected to play the sixth-toughest schedule in the NFL this year. This could be an important late-season game when it comes to the playoff picture in both the AFC and NFC.
11. Commanders at Giants (Week 10)
If Jayden Daniels misses more games than he plays again this season, this game won't be as exciting, but Daniels vs. Jaxson Dart is worth looking forward to. They still haven't played each other, but their first meeting could come in Week 5.
The NFC East is very much up for grabs this season.