The NFL is already heating up for the 2026 season, and we've got some major matchups to look forward to. The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off ESPN's "Monday Night Football" schedule on September 14, marking the first game of the season under the primetime lights. While the location is still being finalized ahead of the full schedule release on Thursday night, one big question looms: will two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes be ready to play?
Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee during a December loss to the Chargers, a setback that ended Kansas City's playoff hopes. He's aiming for a Week 1 return, but the timeline remains uncertain. On the other side, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is expected to be back for training camp after breaking a bone in his right ankle during the AFC playoffs. Denver's run ended in the AFC championship game against New England, so both teams have plenty to prove.
But that's not all the big news. The Buffalo Bills will open their new stadium in style, hosting the Detroit Lions on September 17 for Amazon Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football" debut. And the Dallas Cowboys are already making headlines: they'll visit the New York Giants for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" opener on September 13, then host the Philadelphia Eagles on Fox for Thanksgiving Day on November 26. Get ready for a season full of drama, rivalries, and must-watch football.