‘Winston’ van Gogh takes to the streets for Giants’ schedule release (4:01)Jameis Winston heads to the streets of New York to mix with fans and show off his artistic side. (4:01)
ESPN staffMay 14, 2026, 08:34 PM ETMultiple Authors
The 2026 NFL schedule was released Thursday night, and we know the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals seem to have an easy slate, while the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears might face a gauntlet.
Seven months after downing the New England Patriots to capture Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks will welcome Drake Maye and New England to Lumen Field for the 2026 NFL season opener on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The rare Wednesday night opener is to accommodate the first regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia. That contest between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers takes place the following day, Sept. 10, for U.S. audiences, and will be one of a record nine international games this season, which were announced Wednesday.
When putting together an 18-week, 272-game lineup, the league’s schedule makers consider multiple factors to ensure competitive balance, including bye weeks, travel and potential scheduling conflicts. They also use a rotation system to make sure each team plays every other team at least once every four years. Thousands of possible slates are created before settling on the final version.
With a combined opponent winning percentage of .550 during the 2025 season, the Chicago Bears have the strongest schedule in 2026.
With a combined opponent winning percentage of .429 during the 2025 season, the Cleveland Browns have the weakest schedule in 2026.
A team’s strength of schedule is primarily determined by the combined winning percentage of its opponents from the previous season.
‘Winston’ van Gogh takes to the streets for Giants’ schedule release (4:01)Jameis Winston heads to the streets of New York to mix with fans and show off his artistic side. (4:01)
Jameis Winston heads to the streets of New York to mix with fans and show off his artistic side. (4:01)
Based on their win-loss opponents’ win percentage from the 2025 season:
1. Cleveland Browns 0.429 (easiest) 2. New Orleans Saints 0.434 3. Cincinnati Bengals 0.450 4. Atlanta Falcons 0.465 5. Indianapolis Colts 0.465 6. Detroit Lions 0.467 7. Houston Texans 0.474 8. Tennessee Titans 0.476 9. Baltimore Ravens 0.479 10. Philadelphia Eagles 0.481 11. Jacksonville Jaguars 0.490 12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0.491 13. Dallas Cowboys 0.493 14. Pittsburgh Steelers 0.495 15. San Francisco 49ers 0.497 16. New York Giants 0.498 17. Washington Commanders 0.502 18. Denver Broncos 0.512 19. Seattle Seahawks 0.514 20. Los Angeles Rams 0.516 21. New York Jets 0.517 22. Minnesota Vikings 0.519 23. Carolina Panthers 0.521 24. Los Angeles Chargers 0.522 25. Buffalo Bills 0.528 26. Las Vegas Raiders 0.529 27. New England Patriots 0.531 28. Kansas City Chiefs 0.536 29. Green Bay Packers 0.538 30. Arizona Cardinals 0.538 31. Miami Dolphins 0.542 32. Chicago Bears 0.550 (hardest)
ESPN staffMay 14, 2026, 08:34 PM ETMultiple Authors
All 32 teams’ schedules, analysis, bold predictions