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The 2026 season kicked off Wednesday night with Drake Maye’s fourth-quarter collapse on a rare Wednesday Night Football, but fans are now shifting attention to Sunday’s slate of NFL games. The NFL is gearing up for its first full weekend of matchups in 2026. Many of the top teams play in standalone situations, including Wednesday’s Super Bowl 60 rematch that went in favor of the Seattle Seahawks. The opening NFL Sunday schedule features elite franchises like the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. However, only two matchups will include two playoff teams from 2025 squaring off to start Week 1. The Bills are set to take on the Houston Texans and their elite defense, while two NFC division winners face off with the Chicago Bears playing the Carolina Panthers. MORE: Drake Maye’s epic Week 1 meltdown raises 3 major concerns for 2026 NFL season Which NFL game should be nationally televised in Week 1? Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans Date: Sunday, Sept. 13 Time: 1 p.m. ET on CBS Stadium: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX NFL fans are clamoring for the best teams to face off against one another. However, it’s clear that Week 1 is simply easing supporters back into the schedule with a weaker Sunday slate to go along with four primetime matchups. There’s a clear winner though when it comes to which game fans should be locked into on Sunday. Josh Allen and the Bills are still awaiting a defining breakthrough in the playoffs after several heartbreaking losses. Buffalo enters a new era with Joe Brady leading as the head coach. Meanwhile, the Bills will be tested against the best defense in the NFL when they travel to Houston. Both AFC franchises are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, but operate in entirely different fashions. Allen and Buffalo want to put up a high-flying offense and outscore their opponents. Meanwhile, the Texans are predicated on limiting C.J. Stroud’s mistakes and holding opposition to low-scoring affairs. MORE: NBC booth blown away by Drake Maye’s awful game-ending interception More elite Week 1 NFL games to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts – Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —