The Buffalo Bills and their fans knew that, on paper, the 2026 NFL schedule was going to be a difficult gauntlet to survive, and when the schedule was released Thursday night, we all learned just how daunting the task was going to be for first-year head coach Joe Brady and the Bills.
Buffalo is projected for 10.5 wins this year by the Sharp Football Analysis model, with the Bills projected for the 14th-easiest schedule this year.
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While the Bills get to play a second-place schedule for the first time in more than five years, Buffalo is lined up to face a grueling slate of opponents, with eight games against teams that made the playoffs last year, including home and away showdowns against the defending AFC champion New England Patriots (9.5 projected wins), home games against the Los Angeles Chargers (10.5) and the Chicago Bears (9.5), and road clashes against the Houston Texans (9.5), Denver Broncos (9.5), Green Bay Packers (10.5), and Los Angeles Rams (league-most 11.5 projected wins).
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with thoughts on the Bills’ NFL schedule, which includes an early bye week, six primetime games and plenty of chances for statement victories.
Be sure to leave your predictions for how the Bills will fare this year in the comments section.
Challenges aplenty for Bills in 2026
After a season-opening road game against the Houston Texans, who battered Josh Allen in a win last season, the Bills get to show off their new stadium for three consecutive home games in Weeks 2 through 4, though the early home-heavy portion of the schedule is offset by the Bills closing out the year with four of their final six games on the road.
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In-between, the Bills will play on both Thanksgiving (hosting Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs) and Christmas (a 2025 AFC Divisional Round rematch at Bo Nix and the Broncos).
Buffalo’s six primetime games trail only the Rams for most in the NFL, as the Bills will open their new stadium at home on Thursday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, hit the road for Monday night games against the Rams and Minnesota Vikings, welcome the Chiefs to Western New York on Thanksgiving night, head to historic Lambeau Field for a Sunday night clash against the Packers, and play a rare Saturday night home game vs. Da Bears.
The schedule also features a variety of shortened weeks and four sets of back-to-back road games. We run through the schedule, offer up other thoughts and observations, give predictions on what Buffalo’s final record will be, and see where Buffalo’s schedule release video ranks among the other NFL teams.
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Even more Bills news
Analyzing how rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell handled his first practices as a member of the Bills. Plus, discussing Bruno Fina, son of former Buffalo offensive lineman John Fina, as he attempts to make the roster; discussing what are Buffalo’s biggest remaining roster questions; and breaking down the news that the Bills have a new radio broadcast home for the 2026 season.
