What's Next: Eagles, Chargers Face Rest Deficiencies, But NFL Disputes Disadvantage

Whatever you think about the old rest vs. rust debate, the NFL believes the possible perceived advantage either side might have doesn't matter — and it has the data to back that up. Following the unveiling of the 2026 NFL regular season schedule, one of the details scrutinized for fairness is rest disparity, which measures how much time a team has to prepare for a given game, compared to its opponent. All 32 teams have 17 games in 18 weeks, so there's a balance in that — you'd think every team has one week with an extra week of rest and preparation compared to the team they're facing, but that logically evens out when an opponent is coming off their bye. That doesn't happen evenly, however. The Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers each have four games this season where their opponent is coming off its bye week, and the Las Vegas Raiders have three such games, while 14 NFL teams never have to face an opponent well-rested after its bye week. About 40% of NFL games have one team with a day or more of additional rest than its opponent. Add in games where one team is coming off a Thursday kickoff and the other a normal Sunday game, and the imbalance can be substantial. The Chicago Bears, for instance, have a plus-15 rest differential, which is to say they have 15 more days to prepare for their games than their opponents. The Chargers are at the other extreme, with a minus-24 differential — between the two, the net net, if you will, is a difference of 39 days of rest and preparation. Yet, when one NFL executive was pressed about the issue after the regular-season schedule release, NFL vice president of broadcast planning Mike North said the league has data showing there's no advantage to having extra rest. "We've got a really robust data and analytics team here in the office ... and they have been very clear with us, that rest disparity is not a thing," North said during a remarkably thorough 100-minute conference call with reporters Friday morning. "You do not have a competitive advantage when you're coming off your bye, and you certainly don't have a competitive advantage when you're one day, two days or three days more well-rested. If the data suggest that there's a there there, we will adjust. We absolutely will. "But we've been very conscious, we've been very careful, and we've been very connected with our data team ... [they] have been adamant that rest disparity does not impact performance, expected win percentage, expected points scored." Sure enough, if you look at every game where one team is coming off a bye and its opponent is not over the last two seasons, those teams are combined 27-27. Teams with the bye week advantage went 14-12 in 2025 and 13-15 in 2024. So, both seasons were within a single win of a coin flip, and combined they're 27-27, suggesting there is no advantage at all. Even over the course of a full season, teams that have had some bad rest luck have exceeded expectations. Of the 28 teams with the most extreme rest differential disparities since 2002, 18 of them went over their projected win total, per Sumer Sports. One of those teams nearly won a Super Bowl as well, with the San Francisco 49ers having a minus-19 rest day differential in 2023. The perception is certainly there. One team has two weeks to focus solely on its game plan, and the other has just one. That's also in addition to the added physical recovery to get players back from injuries and generally catch up on rest. NFL teams, and their fans, notice when they should have this advantage, and understandably complain when they don't. "I won't hide the fact that the teams are aware, and have long memories, and remind us," North said. "What we're really trying to focus on is the data: Is there a competitive advantage to playing a team when you're coming off your bye week? I would have told you not that long ago, the answer was clearly 'Yes.' I remember [longtime NFL executive] Howard Katz having a real commitment one year to really trying to avoid or at least minimize a team having to play a road game ... when you have to travel to a more well-rested team, it was something like the visiting team won 38% of the time, instead of 44% of the time. A 20% impact on win percentage is relevant, and that was absolutely something that, for several years in a row, we were very, very cognizant of, and writing rules in the software to prevent. If you check the math, it's flipped." The NFL's CBA now requires teams on a bye to give players a full four consecutive days off during a bye week, so while coaches have more time to prepare a game plan, they're still implementing the same one-week timeframe for the most part. It brings back the rest vs. rust argument, whether a team that has a long weekend out of its facility and meeting rooms gains more in the break than it loses by breaking out of routine and schedule and the normal rhythm of preparing for a game every week. Two analysts for the NFL, Mike Lopez and Tom Bliss, wrote a paper in 2024 titled "Bye-bye, bye advantage: estimating the competitive impact of rest differential in the National Football League," laying out their research. Before the Collective Bargaining Agreement that was agreed to in 2011, teams coming off a bye had a 2.2-point advantage on other teams. But once the CBA mandated time away from the team for players, that advantage lessened, suggesting the edge was in additional practice time, not just time to rest and prepare. Their estimate in the 2024 paper was that teams coming off a bye week have a 0.3-point advantage, nearly negligible in a game's outcome. There's another argument to be made. Essentially, well-coached teams will be well-coached regardless of how much prep time they have, and poorly coached teams will still be poorly coached even with an extra week of poor coaching. Whether that will play out in this year's results remains to be seen, but the last two seasons show the impact of one team having an extra week yielding the same .500 overall record as the entire league has over an entire season. "I'm sure the Chargers are a little disappointed," North said. "But I'd remind them that a few years ago, I think it was the 49ers who had the [worst] rest disparity in the league at a minus-22 or something like that, and went to a Super Bowl. So good teams overcome challenges to the extent that rest disparity might be one, but our data does not support that that is a competitive disadvantage."

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What's Next: How the Steelers Can Win With Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers emerged from his annual offseason darkness retreat over the weekend and confirmed what we expected all along: He will be the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026. Perhaps head coach Mike McCarthy can turn back the hands of time and help Rodgers rediscover the magic that helped him become a four-time MVP and first-ballot Hall of Famer. The second marriage between the one-time Super Bowl champion coach and his former franchise quarterback is a last-ditch effort by the AFC North reigning champions to make another run at a title with a veteran-laden roster featuring former All-Pros and Pro Bowlers. While the 2020 version of Rodgers with this roster would undoubtedly rank as a Super Bowl front-runner, this current iteration faces long odds of knocking off the NFL’s heavyweights with a 42-year-old quarterback directing a redesigned offense with a respected quarterback whisperer at the helm. Say what you will about McCarthy, but he is coming off a successful run with Dak Prescott that saw the four-time Pro Bowler play the best ball of his career while guiding the Cowboys to three straight 12-win seasons within a five-year span. Considering McCarthy also led the Green Bay Packers to eight double-digit win seasons in a 13-year period with Rodgers and Brett Favre leading the way, the grizzled veteran coach will give his former pupil the best chance to end his career (on a high note). From Gunslinger To Game Manager The quarterback he inherits in Pittsburgh is drastically different from the one who helped him win his only Super Bowl win. The Rodgers who dazzled as an improvisational wizard in the 2010s has become a stationary pea shooter who peppers opponents with quick-rhythm throws at short range. Last season, Rodgers led the NFL in the percentage of throws that did not travel beyond the line of scrimmage (32.5%), per Next Gen Stats. Additionally, the 22-year pro finished with the fastest time-to-throw average (2.59 seconds), using a variety of screens, swings and quick routes to counter heavy pressure from defensive coordinators intent on disrupting his passing rhythm. Rodgers’ extensive utilization of "tags" (attaching a quick game concept to a running play) and audibles led to a bunch of "catch it and rip it" throws to the perimeter. With Rodgers excelling at small ball at this stage of his career, McCarthy must tweak his playbook to accentuate his QB1’s strengths (football intelligence, diagnostic skills, and experience) while minimizing his weaknesses (athleticism, mobility and fear of being hit ) in the pocket. In addition, he must fix the Steelers’ offensive line woes and upgrade the personnel to close the gap on their opponents. Adjusting the playbook to maximize Rodgers’ talent will be an ongoing process that extends to the regular season, with McCarthy routinely bouncing schematic ideas off the veteran to determine which plays should remain on the call sheet. Despite their extensive history and collective success in Green Bay, the duo cannot rely on nostalgia to spark a change in Pittsburgh. The veteran offensive architect must rework the playbook to feature more than the shotgun and spread concepts that were staples in the Packers’ playbook. Although Rodgers’ lack of mobility limits the Steelers’ under-center options, particularly the bootleg and naked package, the utilization of play-action could open up the field for the four-time MVP and create more big-play opportunities for the offense. Souped-Up Supporting Cast As Rodgers settles into his role as a game manager, the Steelers’ supporting cast must handle the heavy lifting for the offense to play at a top-10 level. The playcaller, playmakers and protectors must grade out as honors students for their work to help the veteran close the gap on the elite quarterbacks throughout the AFC. To their credit, the Steelers have upgraded the talent around Rodgers with wideouts Michael Pittman (acquired via trade) and Germie Bernard (selected No. 47 overall in the 2026 draft) to add a pair of dependable "chain movers" to the lineup. With an ultra-physical receiver (Pittman) and a polished route runner (Bernard) joining DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, the Steelers have surrounded Rodgers with a diverse collection of rugged playmakers who can consistently win on short and intermediate routes within a 10-yard box to build out an efficient, ball-control passing game. The combination of size, strength and skill should enable Rodgers to throw the slants, stick routes, and screens that are staples of the quick-rhythm aerial attack that he prefers. Additionally, the aggressiveness and physicality of the Steelers’ perimeter players should bolster the team’s running game, as the unit becomes a bigger part of a blocking scheme that pits wideouts and tight ends on linebackers and safeties. If the Steelers can get buy-in from their pass-catchers to make strong contributions as blockers in the running game, McCarthy can establish the punishing ground attack he needs to alleviate pressure on his quarterback. Pittsburgh invested heavily in the running game this offseason, with offensive lineman Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker coming aboard as key picks in the 2026 draft. The young duo is slated to play on the right side at right tackle and right guard, respectively, with Troy Fautanu potentially moving to left tackle if Broderick Jones is unable to play early in the season. The reshuffled lineup should enable the Steelers to put their "best five" on the field and control the line of scrimmage. Moreover, the team can throw in Freiermuth and Washington to create a robust "12" personnel package (one running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers) to maul opponents with a downhill running game. The Steelers’ running back corps (Rico Dowdle, Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson) is built to grind it out on various downhill runs behind a massive offensive line that should be able to generate a consistent push at the point of attack. The three-headed monster in the backfield features a trio of runners with complementary skills, which should lead to more continuity and consistency in the running game. Although Rodgers will retain his veto power at the line, the Steelers’ upgraded front line and backfield should lead to a greater commitment to a "ground-and-pound" approach that yields better performance and production from a unit that wants to dominate time of possession and protect a quarterback in the twilight of his career. While Rodgers is no longer the dazzling playmaker who could single-handedly tilt the game in his team’s direction with his spectacular play, the Steelers’ upgraded supporting cast should enable the fading superstar to lead another playoff run in a managerial role.

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Sound Smart: 4 Observations After The 2026 NFL Schedule Release

The NFL’s regular-season schedule is official. And it’s a behemoth, with 18 weeks of games — not including the postseason, or the three weeks of preseason, or the Hall of Fame Game. This season will feature games on every day of the week except Tuesday. It’s football all day and all night and at basically any moment you might want it. So let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this week’s activity — with some thoughts on the schedule and other NFL happenings. This is "Sound Smart," where I try to spin forward, dive deeper and think outside the box. If I do my job, you’ll have a better understanding of what really happened over the past week of the NFL offseason. 1. IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE SCHEDULE, IT’S THAT …. You will have ample excuses to avoid your family during the holidays. Let the record show that I’m a big fan of hanging with the family during the months when you can build a fire, enjoy a warm drink, dim the lights and do your best (but inevitably fail) to avoid discussing politics. That said, I know the holidays aren’t everyone’s favorite time of year. And the NFL seems to know that, too. Because the league has made this year’s holiday slate impossible to avoid. The NFL has replaced small talk with ball talk. I have been as vocal as anyone that the NFL is in danger of oversaturation. But the only way the league could have delivered on this type of schedule — one with a game at all times over the holiday weekends — is if those games were appointment TV. And for the most part, that’s what the NFL plans to deliver. There’s no clearer example than the decision to put the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving night. That’s the type of game that the NFL usually places into a random Week 12 slate to give it some life. The Chiefs and Bills deliver incredible drama, time after time. By scheduling it at a time when everyone would have been watching anyway, the league delivered what is often the best game of the year — and in a window that’s likely to maximize viewership. This is all to say that I’m excited to enjoy (and enjoy covering) these games during the holidays. I’d be remiss not to mention that — with the NFL tossing all its logs on the fire during these holiday games — I also can’t help but wonder whether the slower parts of the season will feel especially slow this year. The NFL decided that there’s only one way to find out. 2. MONDAY MORNING CONTROVERSY As exceptional as Patrick Mahomes is, his ACL injury could keep the Chiefs out of the playoffs. I get that folks in Kansas City are saying that the three-time Super Bowl MVP is accelerating through his timeline in his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in mid-December. I get that Mahomes is special, physically. I get that the Chiefs signed running back Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, to take some of the offensive burden off Mahomes. That's why many folks see the Chiefs making the playoffs. This is all good, in theory. But historically, it’s been hard for quarterbacks to make an immediate comeback from an ACL injury. And the left side of the Chiefs’ offensive line remains a question, with youngsters Josh Simmons (tackle) and Kingsley Suamataia (guard) yet to make the developmental leap. If the line can’t make the expected leap, then that’ll negatively impact Walker and Mahomes — which is to say that, like last year, that left side of the line could tank the whole offense. For the past few years, Mahomes was the No. 1, 2 and 3 reasons to believe in the Chiefs. But there’s a real chance he can't be the same explosive playmaker until 2027. And in that case, the offense, which was 12th-worst in scoring last season, might not take the step forward that everyone expects. That’s why I don't anticipate that the Chiefs will make the 2026 playoffs. Not right now. That could change if they dominate their first four games. They host the Denver Broncos in Week 1, then they have three fairly easy games: home against the Indianapolis Colts and on the road against the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders. If Mahomes can’t play in those first four weeks, then the Chiefs might be 2-2. Remember: They didn't win a game without Mahomes last year — suffering losses to the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Broncos and Raiders. The Chiefs will go into their Week 5 bye primed to make a push for the playoffs — and they’ll need to be ready, because their schedule is grueling after that early bye. I’ll admit that Mahomes has a knack for remarkable achievements, which is why I understand why people are hesitant to doubt the Chiefs’ playoff chances. But it’s not coming from a logical place. This isn’t a come-from-behind victory where Mahomes can manage the clock and eke out the four points he needs for victory. This is an injury where doctors have as much control as Mahomes does. The healing process takes time. And if he can’t make it all the way back at a speed that few have accomplished, then the Chiefs won't have the bounce-back season that everyone seems to assume is coming. 3. WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS AFRAID TO SAY The Saints could be an offensive juggernaut. Coach Kellen Moore and quarterback Tyler Shough kept getting better at the end of last season. After turning to the rookie Shough at midseason, the Saints didn’t exactly look like world-beaters, with a 5-4 record that included two wins against the playoff-bound Carolina Panthers — but two losses to the Atlanta Falcons. If you watched closely, however, New Orleans had a competence that I didn’t expect after its horrid first half of the season. It was clear the Saints were building something real in those final nine games. And it was also clear that Shough was winning over the building. Now, I’m not here to promise that Shough is going to be the team’s QB1 in 2027. He felt like a flier in the second round last year — almost a bridge quarterback, given his age, (lack of) upside and lengthy college experience. But I do think the Saints have set him up with every opportunity to succeed this year. And there is some increased urgency because, despite it being his second season, Shough will turn 27 in September. (He was in the same high school recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence!) Between that and Shough’s draft status as a second-rounder, the QB will have to turn things around quickly … or else. But the Saints have something impressive in place to avoid that "or else" outcome. Moore’s offense seems primed to put Shough into a point-guard role, where he can distribute to receivers Chris Olave and rookie Jordyn Tyson and tight ends Juwan Johnson and rookie Oscar Delp. The Saints signed free agent running back Travis Etienne to take over for aging veteran Alvin Kamara. New Orleans' offensive line is solid and appears to be ascending, particularly at tackle where the Saints have two former first-rounders who went 14th or higher. There’s a lot to like, and normally, they’d be a plucky group of ruffians who enjoy an any-given-Sunday kind of season. But in the NFC South, the Saints can actually compete. The Falcons are talented but are undergoing a quarterback (Tua Tagovailoa?) and coaching change (Kevin Stefanski). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to be retooling after missing the playoffs. And the Panthers are building something compelling, but they have one of the league’s hardest schedules in 2026. The Saints will be fun. And the Saints have an easy schedule. I’m on board with them making the playoffs. 4. PEELING BACK THE CURTAIN The Steelers are doing … what … to Drew Allar? After Pittsburgh’s rookie minicamp, there was serious discussion about how the Steelers are handling the former Penn State quarterback's development. ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported that new head coach Mike McCarthy was "uninstalling everything [Allar has] learned and they're re-uploading" a new system, methodology and set of mechanics. It’s an overhaul. That drew flippant remarks on social media and sports talk radio. The sentiment? Allar is doomed. Maybe. But it won’t be because of the comprehensive way McCarthy is approaching the third-round pick's development. To the contrary, the overhaul is on par with what Allar appeared to need before the draft. "We're teaching him different than the way he's played before. He hasn't spent a lot of time under center," McCarthy told reporters during rookie minicamp on May 9. "He's a run-and-shoot guy in high school. He's played from nine yards deep. So, there's just a lot of newness to him." McCarthy added about Allar "He made a very good first impression." Allar was trending toward being a first-round pick when he ended the 2024 college season. But his 2025 season derailed his prospects, in part because the Penn State offense began to demand more of him. He couldn't seem to handle that load. That doesn’t bode well for a guy who will have to do even more in the NFL. But it doesn’t make him hopeless. It’s, frankly, common for a player with Allar’s tools to slip into Day 2. Those types of quarterbacks only slip if they have fundamental issues with their footwork, throwing motion and decision-making. They only slip if they’re a major developmental undertaking. Look at Will Levis, Malik Willis, Drew Lock and Colin Kaepernick. Different players. Similar problems. Different careers. That’s why there’s really no reason for concern when listening to McCarthy’s take on Allar. "Everybody teaches footwork a little differently. Everybody has a system of offense and how you tie your quarterback, particularly in the pass game, to that. There's a lot of work there [for Allar]," McCarthy said. "We're able to adjust some fundamentals that we think will help him." When the Steelers drafted Allar, I hoped they would do so with a vision for him playing in 2027 or 2028 — and not in 2026. Now that starting QB Aaron Rodgers has finally decided to return, that might be possible. This is exactly what Allar needs. McCarthy knows what he's doing. The Steelers have a plan. And even though it'll inevitably involve more Rodgers-created drama, I like the timeline of what they have. At age 42, Rodgers might be trending downward, but he can start for at least one more season. That'll give the Steelers a solid year to see if Allar is making the necessary progress behind the scenes. And if Pittsburgh doesn't think Allar is ready in 2027, the Steelers can either draft a quarterback in Round 1 or pursue their options in free agency. Would I have preferred they go after Malik Willis in free agency this year? Absolutely. Or Kyler Murray? Also, yes. But once those ships sailed — Willis signed with the Dolphins and Murray with the Minnesota Vikings — this plan made enough sense to pursue. And above all, the approach with Allar looks sound.

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2026 NFL International Games Odds: Spreads, Lines For All 9 Games

American football is going more global than ever before. Let's check out the odds and what to know about the nine international NFL games during the 2026 season (DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 17). This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. THURSDAY, SEPT. 10Melbourne, AustraliaWeek 1 49ers vs. Rams Spread: Rams -2.5Moneyline: Rams -155, 49ers +130O/U: 48.5 What to know: It's the NFL's first trip to Australia. The Rams, 49ers and Seahawks have each won two of the last six NFC West titles, with the Rams and Seahawks both winning a Super Bowl in that span. The 49ers lost a Super Bowl in that window. Only twice in the last decade has the winner of the NFC West lost in its first playoff game. In short, finding success in this division usually means finding postseason success. SUNDAY, SEPT. 27Rio de Janeiro, BrazilWeek 3 Ravens vs. Cowboys Spread: Ravens -2.5Moneyline: Ravens -135, Cowboys +114O/U: 52.5 What to know: The NFL returns to Brazil for a third straight year. These two teams have faced off in the regular season just seven times in their histories, and the Ravens lead the head-to-head series 6-1. Both of these teams finished below .500 last season. SUNDAY, OCT. 4London, EnglandWeek 4 Colts vs. Commanders Spread: Commanders -1.5Moneyline: Commanders -110, Colts -110O/U: 48.5 What to know: The first of three consecutive weeks for the NFL in the UK. Jayden Daniels took the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie, going 12-5 in 2024. He also won Offensive Rookie of the Year that season and was a Pro Bowler. But last season, he was limited to just seven starts due to myriad injuries. SUNDAY, OCT. 11London, EnglandWeek 5 Eagles vs. Jaguars Spread: Eagles -2.5Moneyline: Eagles -130, Jaguars +110O/U: 44.5 What to know: The first of two games in London for Jacksonville, a city that has become their home away from home. The Jaguars have played 14 games in the UK, sitting at 7-7. The Eagles last played overseas in Week 1 of the 2024 season, beating the Packers in Brazil. SUNDAY, OCT. 18London, EnglandWeek 6 Texans vs. Jaguars Spread: Texans -1.5Moneyline: Texans -115, Jaguars -105O/U: 41.5 What to know: These two teams have split the last four AFC South titles. However, neither made it past the divisional round in that span. The Jags were the last team from this division to at least make the AFC title game, back in 2017. SUNDAY, OCT. 25Paris, FranceWeek 7 Steelers vs. Saints Spread: Steelers -2.5Moneyline: Steelers -135, Saints +114O/U: 42.5 What to know: The NFL's first trip to Paris. Aaron Rodgers is back in the fold for Pittsburgh, but he's 1-3 over his last four playoff games, and his teams have failed to make the postseason three of the last four seasons. SUNDAY, NOV. 8Madrid, SpainWeek 9 Bengals vs. Falcons Spread: Bengals -4.5Moneyline: Bengals -225, Falcons +185O/U: 48.5 What to know: By Week 9 of the last two seasons, the Bengals were 3-5 en route to missing the playoffs. Injuries to their star quarterback Joe Burrow have complicated things since Cincy made a run to the Super Bowl in 2021 and an AFC Championship Game berth in 2022. Over the last three seasons, Burrow has started just 35 regular-season games. SUNDAY, NOV. 15Munich, GermanyWeek 10 Patriots vs. Lions Spread: Lions -1.5Moneyline: Lions -125, Patriots +105O/U: 48.5 What to know: The reigning AFC champions are underdogs in this one, against a Lions team that missed the playoffs last season. What gives? Well, it could be that last season, the Patriots had one of the easiest schedules in NFL history, and this year, that will not be the case. By Week 10, New England will have already played Seattle, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Chicago and Green Bay, all playoff teams from a year ago. SUNDAY, NOV. 22Mexico City, MexicoWeek 11 Vikings vs. 49ers Spread: 49ers -3.5Moneyline: 49ers -205, Vikings +170O/U: 46.5 What to know: The final international game of the season will feature a 49ers team that played in the league's first international game of the season. Who will start at QB for Minnesota? Kyler Murray, right? As a former member of the Cardinals, Murray has a ton of divisional experience against San Francisco. He's 4-5 against the 49ers all time.

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2026 NFL Schedule Release: 5 Bold Predictions After Unveiling Of Regular Season Slate

Yes, we already knew who every team was playing in the 2026 NFL season. However, after Thursday's schedule release, it's now a bit easier to predict the year ahead in the NFL. With dates of all 272 regular-season matchups set, we can take a closer look at the ebb and flow of schedules for specific teams and hazard a guess as to what the potential outcomes might be. Last year, I predicted the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs, along with bounce-back seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots. But I also believed the ever-optimistic Pete Carroll would lead the Las Vegas Raiders to respectability in his first season and the Washington Commanders would reach the Super Bowl, so I’m not exactly puffing my chest out. So, here are five bold predictions for the upcoming season with the release of this year’s schedule. It’s finally Joe Burrow’s time to shine — again. The Cincinnati Bengals have the third-easiest schedule, based on the projected win totals of their opponents. However, the Bengals had one of the easiest schedules last year and still finished 6-11. Of course, Burrow could not stay out of the training room, playing in just eight games in 2025. Cincinnati traded for Joe Flacco to rescue the offense, but the defense couldn't keep up, allowing at least 30 points in serve games. So, in the offseason, the Bengals finally went all in and spent major resources to fix an ailing defense, trading with the New York Giants for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. They also signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and edge rusher Boye Mafe, along with safeties Bryan Cook, Kyle Dugger and Ja’Sir Taylor in free agency. The Bengals added defensive linemen Cashius Howell and Landon Robinson, along with cornerback Tacario Davis, in the draft. So, the defense should be much better than No. 31 in total defense, which is where the Bengals finished last season. Along with that, the Bengals' three other AFC North rivals all have new head coaches (Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh Steelers; Jesse Minter, Baltimore Ravens; Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns). In all, the Bengals play nine games against teams with head coaches leading them for the first time this season (the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans are the others). Cincinnati has the advantage of most continuity in the division, including all 11 players returning for one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL and one of the top quarterbacks in the league when healthy in Burrow. If the LSU product can stay upright, it’s the Bengals best shot at reaching the Super Bowl since Burrow led them there after the 2021 season. If not, the Bengals have an experienced backup with a Super Bowl ring in Flacco. New Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley are taking a long-term approach to building a winner in South Beach. That means there will be some bumps in the road with new quarterback Malik Willis leading them. Expect some struggles for Miami this season, going winless on the road amid a first-year rebuilding effort. That might not seem like a surprise when you consider that they have games at the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers on their slate. That slate is made even more difficult when you consider that Miami was 1-7 in games that were 45 degrees or colder at kickoff under head coach Mike McDaniel, and four of those aforementioned games take place in November or later. But the Dolphins also have road games at the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts, giving them opportunities to win games on the road. And while you might think there's a team that goes winless on the road every season, that hasn't been the case as of late. There's only been one winless team on the road in the last four seasons. On top of that, the last time Miami went winless on the road was in 2007, when the Dolphins finished 1-15. That was Cam Cameron's first and only season leading the Dolphins. (Miami hired Tony Sparano and he finished 11-5 the following year.) Miami moved on from a handful of the team’s best players this offseason in wide receiver Tyreek Hill, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, edge rusher Bradley Chubb and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots rode the third-easiest schedule in the league last year to a magical Super Bowl run. Drake Maye emerged as an MVP-worthy candidate in his second season, and the Patriots returned to their mantle as one of the dominant teams in the NFL. However, New England played only three teams that reached the playoffs during the regular season, the fewest of any team in the league. The Patriots finished 1-2 against those teams during the regular season. Well, fast-forward to this season and Vrabel is now dealing with off-the-field distractions. The Patriots are also coming off a Super Bowl where they were dominated up front on both sides of the ball, losing in ugly fashion to the Seattle Seahawks. And after enjoying a schedule that allowed them to travel no further than New Orleans in 2025, the Patriots will travel the fifth-most miles this season (27,590). The inevitable addition of No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown should help an offense that lacks explosive plays and moved on from the team’s best receiver in Stefon Diggs this offseason. But the Patriots have the sixth-hardest schedule in the league. The Patriots face nine playoff teams from last season. Only the Seahawks (10) face more. The previous two Super Bowl losers failed to have a winning record the following season, with the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs stumbling in each of the last two years. Expect the Patriots to follow a similar path. The New Orleans Saints return Louisville product Tyler Shough at quarterback in 2026 after the second-rounder showed promise as a rookie in 2025. Shough took over as the starter midseason and finished 5-4 as the team’s starter, so the Saints believe they have their franchise quarterback of the future. New Orleans certainly approached the offseason with that mindset as well. The Saints surrounded Shough with playmakers on offense, including first-round pick receiver Jordyn Tyson, an athletic tight end in the third round in Oscar Delp and underrated receiver Bryce Lane. The Saints also added running back Travis Etienne, veteran tight end Noah Fant and offensive lineman David Edwards in free agency. The Saints finished 7-10 last season and have the second-easiest schedule, based on opponents, based on the projected win totals of their opponents. New Orleans also plays in one of the easiest divisions in football in the NFC South. The Carolina Panthers won the division at 8-9 last season.  The Saints also face the fewest playoff teams this season at five. So, expect the Saints to reign supreme in the NFC South and win their first division title since Drew Brees was their quarterback. Yes, the Los Angeles Rams are the current betting favorite to win the Super Bowl. But Father Time is undefeated. Matthew Stafford is 38 years old and coming off a year when he played in all 17 games for the first time since 2021, winning the NFL’s MVP Award for the first time in his 17-year career. Can Stafford play at that level again and stay healthy? Stafford had a balky back that forced him to miss time during training camp in 2025. And oddly enough, Stafford-led teams finished below .500 in three of the four seasons after he started and won double-digit games. The only time that didn’t happen was this past season, when the Rams followed up a 10-7 record by going 12-5, reaching the NFC Championship Game and finishing four points short of reaching the Super Bowl. If Stafford does suffer an injury, the Rams no longer have an experienced backup in Jimmy Garoppolo. Instead, it’s surprise first-round pick Ty Simpson, who some scouts I spoke with around the league did not believe was a first-round pick. Los Angeles also has the fifth-hardest schedule, based on projected win totals, facing nine teams that made the playoffs in 2025. That includes two late-season matchups against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, facing Seattle twice in the final three weeks. Teams with five of the six hardest projected schedules finished under their projected win totals last year. The Rams travel the second-most miles in the league this season (35,487), including a season opener against their NFC West rival in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers. That's just the start of a five-game stretch that includes games at the Broncos and Eagles, plus a home game against the Bills.

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2026 NFL Schedule Release: 5 Storylines To Watch In Patriots-Lions Game In Munich On FOX

When Sunday, Nov. 15, arrives, be prepared to keep the TV on FOX from the moment you wake up and through nearly the entire day. FOX will air its first tripleheader in over a decade, which will conclude with the Dallas Cowboys hosting the San Francisco 49ers on "America's Game of the Week." But the game that starts the Week 10 tripleheader is overseas. The New England Patriots will host the Detroit Lions at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, at 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX and FOX One. Munich has hosted NFL games at Allianz Arena twice before, drawing about 70,000 fans each time. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady beat the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, and the Carolina Panthers narrowly defeated the New York Giants in overtime in 2024. Munich will host a game again in 2028 as the NFL continues to expand its presence in Germany and all over the world. German fans love American football, and you'll hear word-perfect singing of songs like John Denver's "Country Roads" and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" belted from the crowd during games. FOX Sports had the NFL's first international game in 2007 when the New York Giants beat the Miami Dolphins in London as well. Here are five storylines that could play out in this year's game: It makes sense that a team coming off a Super Bowl appearance is going to fare well no matter where they play, and the Patriots will try to improve on a 4-1 record in the past decade for teams in international games the year after playing in the Super Bowl. The lone loss came last year, when the Kansas City Chiefs, coming off a Super Bowl loss, opened the 2025 season in São Paulo, Brazil, and lost to the Los Angeles Chargers. The other four were all international wins, including the Chiefs, who also played in Frankfurt in 2023 as defending Super Bowl champs and beat the Miami Dolphins that year. In 2019, the Los Angeles Rams were coming off a Super Bowl loss and won in London against the Cincinnati Bengals; the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in 2018 as defending Super Bowl champs, and the Patriots beat the Raiders as defending champs in 2017. Some New England players have played in Germany before. The Patriots faced the Colts in Frankfurt during the 2023 NFL season, losing 10-6 in Bill Belichick's final season. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 88 yards in the game, and receiver DeMario Douglas, then a rookie, led the team with six catches for 84 yards. That game also saw the Patriots bench Mac Jones on the final drive, with quarterback Bailey Zappe throwing a game-sealing interception following a fake spike. The Patriots are 3-2 all-time in international games, also losing to the Jaguars in London in 2024. Only three teams have played in more international games than the Patriots — the Jaguars (14), Miami Dolphins (7) and Minnesota Vikings (6). The Lions, meanwhile, have only played two international games in their history, edging the Atlanta Falcons in London in 2014 and losing to the Chiefs there in 2015. He's no lock to make the 53-man roster, but the Patriots have one current player who was born in Germany in offensive tackle Lorenz Metz, a massive 6-foot-9, 310-pound prospect who is part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program and was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the last two offseasons. And one of the most successful NFL players ever from Germany was Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer, who won two Super Bowl rings with New England and made 80 starts for the Patriots between 2009 and 2015. Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis played every snap for the Bucs in their 2022 win in Munich, collecting four tackles, and he's played for both of these teams in the last two seasons. He started 13 games for the Lions in 2024, then signed with the Patriots, starting every game last year in their path to a Super Bowl, getting two interceptions in the playoffs. Myles Adams, a defensive end who spent the last two years on Detroit's practice squad and will compete for a roster spot this fall, played for the Seahawks in Munich in 2022, getting one tackle in the loss. Detroit's offense ranked in the top five in scoring from 2022-24 and led the NFL in 2024 before Ben Johnson left to become the Chicago Bears' head coach. They ranked fourth last year, averaging 28 points per game, and the Lions still moved on from offensive coordinator John Morton, hiring Drew Petzing. Petzing is only 39, and a successful season could make him a head coaching candidate as a sharp, young offensive mind. He grew up in New England, going to high school in Wellesley, Massachusetts, just west of Boston, during the Patriots' heyday with three Super Bowls in four years under Tom Brady. He stayed in New England, playing in college in Middlebury and had his first coaching jobs at Harvard, Boston College and Yale. Detroit's offense has some significant changes for 2026, with running back David Montgomery traded to the Texans and replaced by Isiah Pacheco, and moves on the offensive line. Pro Bowl tackle Penei Sewell is moving from right to left tackle, with free agent Cade Mays stepping in at center and first-round pick Blake Miller stepping in at right tackle. Second-year receiver Isaac TeSlaa could also emerge after getting six touchdown catches among his 16 receptions as a rookie. Maye just missed out on MVP honors as runner-up, but his emergence in his second NFL season was central in the Patriots' amazing turnaround from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 and AFC champs. Maye threw for 31 touchdowns, more than doubling his rookie total, all while throwing only eight interceptions, two fewer than he did as a rookie. The Patriots paid $68 million to bring in receiver Romeo Doubs from the Packers, put a first-round pick into offensive tackle Caleb Lomu and added guard Alijah Vera-Tucker from the Jets in free agency as well. They should get improvement from two key rookies last year in offensive tackle Will Campbell and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie and could take on a larger role in his second season. A potential trade for Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown also continues to linger. New England averaged 28 points per game in 2025, second-best in the NFL and a full 12 points a game better than it had the year before. Can the Patriots sustain that high level of play — or exceed it — with Maye's continued growth?

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2026 NFL Odds: Back Cowboys, Chiefs To Win In Week 1

Okay, friends — we're getting closer to football season. The NFL schedule release is a nice little teaser and does just enough to get us excited about what lies ahead. Also, now that we know which matchups we have to look forward to, it's time to put our money where the calendar is. Let's take a glance at the first two games I've got my eyes on. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. COWBOYS @ GIANTSSept. 13 — Week 1 I’m high on the Cowboys this season. Quarterback Dak Prescott seems underrated, despite playing well year after year. The Cowboys' offensive line is outstanding. Their wide receivers are elite. They clearly have things together on offense. Defense was a struggle last season, but they’ve done much to improve it with late, in-season moves last year and free agency this spring. They’ve improved at all three levels, either in the draft with Malachi Lawrence and Caleb Downs, or in free agency with Rashan Gary and Cobie Durant. The Giants also improved with the addition of John Harbaugh as the squad's coach. They had a productive draft by selecting Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa. Quarterback Jaxson Dart will start this season healthy and presumably so will star receiver Malik Nabers. Their defense should be fantastic once again this season with a hellish pass rush. But there's this: The Giants do not have a home-field advantage that’s worth much, in my opinion. That opinion is backed by years of data showing that they don’t cover as often. Part of that is because they've been stinky for years, but also, that stadium provides them no real upside. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have advantages all over the field in this game. They have a returning coaching staff with a better quarterback. Their offensive line can neutralize the Giants' defensive line. The Cowboys' improved defense should play well against a New York offense with that new staff that will be attempting to find its footing early in the season. PICK: Cowboys (-2.5) to win by more than 2.5 points BRONCOS @ CHIEFSSept. 14 — Week 1 I’m prepared to lose money again this season wagering on the Chiefs when the number is under a field goal. Last season was bad. The offense had no rhythm or flow. Nothing easy was designed. Then injuries started to pile up. Receiver, offensive line and eventually, Patrick Mahomes. But now, Mahomes appears healthy, and the offensive line is healthy. K.C. has added Kenneth Walker at running back and have acknowledged it needs to change the offense. Defensively, it always felt like the Chiefs allowed fewer points than their talent. The Chiefs added some young pieces on defense and will need those guys to get up to speed fast. The Broncos made the AFC Championship Game last season in the second year of Bo Nix being paired with head coach Sean Payton. They lost when Nix was out of the lineup. Now, he’s on track to be under center in Week 1. Denver didn’t need to do much this offseason with the roster. It already had a top-notch offensive line and added Jaylen Waddle to the receiving core. The Broncos return nearly everyone from that outstanding defense. It’s a team that feels primed to make another deep playoff run. Honestly, I just won’t ever quit betting on the Chiefs getting less than a field goal at home — especially when there's motivation to start this season much better. They’ve heard all offseason about their demise and how it’s over as currently constructed. Hear me out, though, when I say their roster is much better. They’ve improved their coaching staff and Andy Reid's teams are fantastic in Week 1. I think the Broncos will compete for another AFC West title but will lose in their first game of the season. PICK: Chiefs (-2.5) to win by more than 2.5 points

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