Poll: Biggest NFL Week 1 Matchup

[Editor's note: Welcome to Athlon Sports' poll of the day, where we ask readers to weigh in on the biggest topic of the day. Thanks for voting, and be sure to sound off in the comment section.]

The NFL unveiled its 2026 schedule Thursday, which means it's time for fans to start planning their road trips, and for ticket sales departments for all 32 teams to start getting busy.

The teams' social media groups have already been busy. Schedule release day is their Super Bowl, and Athlon Sports' Doug Farrar offered his take on the best schedule release videos that were shared yesterday.

Predicting the hardest or easiest schedules is tricky, because you don't know how things will unfold once the season begins. But we will say there are some very important matchups right off the bat in Week 1. The season kicks off with a Super Bowl rematch on Wednesday night, September 9, between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, one of four Week 1 matchups between 2025 playoff teams. The Thursday night game in Melbourne, Australia is a critical NFC West tilt between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.

When the 2026 season ends, which of these Week 1 games will we look back on as having been most meaningful?

Thanks for voting. Be sure to make your voice heard and sound off in the comments section.

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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 6:46 AM.