NFL 2026-27: First Round Week Games & Analysis

NFL First Round Overview

The beginning of NFL Week 1 is marked by numerous intriguing fixtures and fresh air. The season starts off with a Super Bowl rematch between the Seahawks and the Patriots. The Rams will play against the 49ers in the first-ever NFL regular-season game to take place in Australia. Additionally, the Eagles will host the Commanders in the key matchup of the NFC East division. In addition, the Colts will face off against the Ravens in an interesting AFC showdown. This article gives you expected lineups, 2025 NFL statistics, preseason form, and picks.

NFL: First Round Full Schedule

Date & Day	Matches	ET	PT	IST	Venue
September 9, 2026 (Wednesday)	Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots	8:20 PM	5:20 PM	5:50 AM (Next day)	Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
September 10, 2026 (Thursday)	Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers	8:35 PM	5:35 PM	6:05 AM (Next day)	Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Ford Field, Detroit, MI
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Cincinnati Bengals vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Indianapolis Colts vs Baltimore Ravens	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Jacksonville Jaguars vs Cleveland Browns	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Tennessee Titans vs New York Jets	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Houston Texans vs Buffalo Bills	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Pittsburgh Steelers vs Atlanta Falcons	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears	1:00 PM	10:00 AM	10:30 PM	Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Las Vegas Raiders vs Miami Dolphins	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Los Angeles Chargers vs Arizona Cardinals	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders	4:25 PM	1:25 PM	1:55 AM (Next day)	Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
September 13, 2026 (Sunday)	New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys	8:20 PM	5:20 PM	6:50 AM (Next day)	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
September 14, 2026 (Monday)	Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos	8:15 PM	5:15 PM	5:45 AM (Next day)	Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Match Previews

Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots

Date: 9 September 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: 08:20 PM ET | 05:20 PM PT | 05:50 AM IST (Next day)

Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA

NFL Expected Lineups

Seattle Seahawks

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Sam Darnold
Running Back	George Holani
Wide Receiver	Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Wide Receiver	Cooper Kupp
Wide Receiver	Rashid Shaheed
Tight End	AJ Barner
Left Tackle	Charles Cross
Left Guard	Grey Zabel
Center	Jalen Sundell
Right Guard	Anthony Bradford
Right Tackle	Abraham Lucas
Fullback	Brady Russell

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Leonard Williams
Nose Tackle	Byron Murphy II
Right Defensive End	Jarran Reed
Outside Linebacker	DeMarcus Lawrence
Left Inside Linebacker	Drake Thomas
Right Inside Linebacker	Ernest Jones IV
Outside Linebacker	Uchenna Nwosu
Left Cornerback	Devon Witherspoon
Strong Safety	Ty Okada
Free Safety	Julian Love
Right Cornerback	Josh Jobe
Nickel Cornerback	Nick Emmanwori

New England Patriots

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Drake Maye
Running Back	Rhamondre Stevenson
Wide Receiver	Romeo Doubs
Wide Receiver	A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver	DeMario Douglas
Tight End	Hunter Henry
Left Tackle	Will Campbell
Left Guard	Alijah Vera-Tucker
Center	Jared Wilson
Right Guard	Mike Onwenu
Right Tackle	Morgan Moses
Fullback	Reggie Gilliam

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Christian Barmore
Nose Tackle	Cory Durden
Right Defensive End	Milton Williams
Outside Linebacker	Elijah Ponder
Left Inside Linebacker	Christian Elliss
Right Inside Linebacker	Robert Spillane
Outside Linebacker	Dre’Mont Jones
Left Cornerback	Carlton Davis III
Strong Safety	Craig Woodson
Free Safety	Kevin Byard
Right Cornerback	Christian Gonzalez
Nickel Cornerback	Marcus Jones

Team Stats and Analysis

NFL 2025 Statistics

Statistics	Seahawks	Patriots
Record	14-3	14-3
Passing yards/game	228.1	250.5
Rushing yards/game	123.3	128.9
Points/game	28.4	28.8
Points allowed/game	17.2	18.8
Total offense rank	8th	3rd
Total defense rank	6th	8th
Super Bowl LX	29	13

NFL Preseason Form

Team	Preseason results
Seattle	T 9-9 Chiefs, L 16-19 Titans, L 7-17 Cowboys
New England	T 13-13 Colts, W 24-21 Eagles, L 37-13 Browns

Analysis

The Seahawks come into this rematch with the better defensive pedigree and home-field advantage. Seattle gave up just 17.2 points per game last season. New England had more total offense and passing yardage. Drake Maye has the threat of A.J. Brown to go downfield. Seattle needs to fill the production void that Kenneth Walker left through committee work. The most important matchup is the pass rush from Seattle against Maye’s improved offensive line. The Super Bowl result gives Seattle a psychological advantage, too.

The Pick: Seattle Seahawks

Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers

Date: 10 September 2026 (Thursday)

Time: 08:35 PM ET | 05:35 PM PT | 06:05 AM IST (Next day)

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia

NFL Expected Lineups

Los Angeles Rams

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Matthew Stafford
Running Back	Kyren Williams
Wide Receiver	Puka Nacua
Wide Receiver	Davante Adams
Wide Receiver	Jordan Whittington
Tight End	Colby Parkinson
Left Tackle	Alaric Jackson
Left Guard	Steve Avila
Center	Coleman Shelton
Right Guard	Kevin Dotson
Right Tackle	Warren McClendon Jr.

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Kobie Turner
Nose Tackle	Poona Ford
Right Defensive End	Aaron Donald
Outside Linebacker	Byron Young
Left Inside Linebacker	Nate Landman
Right Inside Linebacker	Omar Speights
Outside Linebacker	Myles Garrett
Left Cornerback	Jaylen Watson
Strong Safety	Kamren Kinchens
Free Safety	Kam Curl
Right Cornerback	Trent McDuffie
Nickel Cornerback	Quentin Lake

San Francisco 49ers

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Brock Purdy
Running Back	Christian McCaffrey
Fullback	Kyle Juszczyk
Wide Receiver	Mike Evans
Wide Receiver	Deebo Samuel Sr.
Wide Receiver	De’Zhaun Stribling
Tight End	George Kittle
Left Tackle	Trent Williams
Left Guard	Connor Colby
Center	Jake Brendel
Right Guard	Dominick Puni
Right Tackle	Colton McKivitz

Defense

Position	Player
Right Defensive End	Osa Odighizuwa
Nose Tackle	Alfred Collins
Left Defensive End	C.J. West
Weakside Linebacker	Nick Bosa
Strongside Linebacker	Keion White
Right inside Linebacker	Fred Warner
Left Inside Linebacker	Dre Greenlaw
Right Cornerback	Deommodore Lenoir
Left Cornerback	Renardo Green
Nickel Cornerback	Upton Stout
Strong Safety	Malik Mustapha
Free Safety	Ji’Ayir Brown

Team Stats and Analysis

NFL 2025 Statistics

Statistics	Rams	49ers
Record	12-5	12-5
Passing yards/game	268.1	244.5
Rushing yards/game	126.6	106.9
Points/game	30.5	25.7
Points allowed/game	20.4	21.8
Total offense rank	1st	7th
Total Defense rank	17th	20th

NFL Preseason Form

Team	Preseason results
Rams	W 12-20 Chiefs, W 34-0 Saints, W 18-20 Chargers
49ers	L 13-19 Titans, W 12-18 Raiders, W 17-41 Chargers

Analysis

This might be one of the most unpredictable games of all time. The Rams had the most prolific offense in the NFL in the year 2025. Stafford has thrown 46 touchdowns this season. San Francisco provides a lethal mix of running skills from McCaffrey and Purdy’s effectiveness. Mike Evans gives yet another option in receiving. There have been upgrades in the defense of the Rams with Garrett and Donald. Nevertheless, the 49ers do not lack experience in division games. An unusual venue would reduce the effective home-field advantage for the Rams.

The Pick: Los Angeles Rams

Indianapolis Colts vs Baltimore Ravens

Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 01:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT | 10:30 PM IST

Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

NFL Expected Lineups

Indianapolis Colts

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Daniel Jones
Running Back	Jonathan Taylor
Wide Receiver	Alec Pierce
Wide Receiver	Josh Downs
Wide Receiver	Keenan Allen
Tight End	Tyler Warren
Left Tackle	Bernhard Raimann
Left Guard	Quenton Nelson
Center	Tanor Bortolini
Right Guard	Matt Goncalves
Right Tackle	Jalen Travis

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Arden Key
Left Defensive Tackle	Grover Stewart
Right Defensive Tackle	DeForest Buckner
Right Defensive End	Laiatu Latu
Weakside Linebacker	Akeem Davis-Gaither
Middle Linebacker	CJ Allen
Strongside Linebacker	Bryce Boettcher
Left Cornerback	Sauce Gardner
Strong Safety	A.J. Haulcy
Free Safety	Cam Bynum
Right Cornerback	Charvarius Ward
Nickel Cornerback	Justin Walley

Baltimore Ravens

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Lamar Jackson
Running Back	Derrick Henry
Wide Receiver	Zay Flowers
Wide Receiver	Rashod Bateman
Wide Receiver	Ja’Kobi Lane
Tight End	Mark Andrews
Left Tackle	Ronnie Stanley
Left Guard	John Simpson
Center	Jovaughn Gwyn
Right Guard	Olaivavega Ioane
Right Tackle	Roger Rosengarten

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Nnamdi Madubuike
Nose Tackle	Travis Jones
Right Defensive End	Calais Campbell
Outside Linebacker	Tavius Robinson
Left Inside Linebacker	Roquan Smith
Right Inside Linebacker	Teddye Buchanan
Outside Linebacker	Trey Hendrickson
Left Cornerback	Nate Wiggins
Strong Safety	Jaylinn Hawkins
Free Safety	Malaki Starks
Right Cornerback	Marlon Humphrey
Nickel Cornerback	Kyle Hamilton

Team Stats and Analysis

NFL 2025 Statistics

Statistics	Colts	Ravens
Record	8-9	8-9
Passing yards/game	227.8	175.6
Rushing yards/game	118.1	156.6
Points/game	27.4	24.9
Points allowed/game	24.2	23.4
Total offense rank	9th	16th
Total defense rank	23rd	24th

NFL Preseason Form

Team	Preseason results
Colts	T 13-13 Patriots, L 6-34 Falcons, L 16-25 Lions
Ravens	W 24-7 Eagles, W 3-13 Vikings, W 41-3 Commanders

Analysis

The Ravens have the superior running game and come into the match with great preseason momentum. Both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are capable of pressuring the Colts through rushing. The Colts have a Jonathan Taylor who had an amazing 2025 season. The Colts also possess better numbers in terms of passing. The leadership on defense is a strength for Baltimore under pressure. The Ravens won their preseason match against the Colts, but the Colts now have the home-field advantage.

The Pick: Baltimore Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders

Date: 13 September 2026 (Sunday)

Time: 4:25 PM ET | 01:25 PM PT | 01:55 AM IST (Next day)

Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

NFL Expected Lineups

Philadelphia Eagles

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Jalen Hurts
Running Back	Saquon Barkley
Wide Receiver	DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver	Dontayvion Wicks
Wide Receiver	Makai Lemon
Tight End	Dallas Goedert
Left Tackle	Jordan Mailata
Left Guard	Landon Dickerson
Center	Cam Jurgens
Right Guard	Tyler Steen
Right Tackle	Lane Johnson

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Jalen Carter
Nose Tackle	Jordan Davis
Right Defensive End	Moro Ojomo
Outside Linebacker	Nolan Smith Jr.
Left Inside Linebacker	Zack Baun
Right Inside Linebacker	Jihaad Campbell
Outside Linebacker	Jonathan Greenard
Left Cornerback	Riq Woolen
Strong Safety	Marcus Epps
Free Safety	Andrew Mukuba
Right Cornerback	Quinyon Mitchell
Nickel Cornerback	Cooper DeJean

Washington Commanders

Offense

Position	Player
Quarterback	Jayden Daniels
Running Back	Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Wide Receiver	Terry McLaurin
Wide Receiver	Stefon Diggs
Wide Receiver	Antonio Williams
Tight End	Chig Okonkwo
Left Tackle	Brandon Coleman
Left Guard	Chris Paul
Center	Nick Allegretti
Right Guard	Sam Cosmi
Right Tackle	Josh Conerly Jr.

Defense

Position	Player
Left Defensive End	Tim Settle
Nose Tackle	Daron Payne
Right Defensive End	Javon Kinlaw
Outside Linebacker	Odafe Oweh
Left Inside Linebacker	Frankie Luvu
Right Inside Linebacker	Sonny Styles
Outside Linebacker	K’Lavon Chaisson
Left Cornerback	Rasul Douglas
Strong Safety	Nick Cross
Free Safety	Jeremy Reaves
Right Cornerback	Mike Sainristil
Nickel Cornerback	Amik Robertson

Team Stats and Analysis

NFL 2025 Statistics

Statistics	Eagles	Commanders
Record	11-6	5-12
Passing yards/game	194.3	184.1
Rushing yards/game	116.9	134.7
Points/game	22.3	20.9
Points allowed/game	19.1	26.5
Total offense rank	24th	22nd
Total defense rank	13th	32nd

NFL Preseason Form

Team	Preseason results
Eagles	L 24-7 Ravens, L 24-21 Patriots, L 13-30 Bengals
Commanders	W 20-7 Dolphins, L 13-17 Lions, L 41-3 Ravens

Analysis

The Eagles have a superior roster coming into Week 1. Hurts and Barkley make Philadelphia an excellent duo on the ground. The Eagles’ defense has been way better than the Washington defense in the past year. The Commanders will be better now because of the healthy Daniels and the addition of Diggs to play alongside McLaurin. The new defense of Washington could generate some more turnovers for the team. But the Eagles’ offensive line still has an edge over the Commanders’.

The Pick: Philadelphia Eagles

Conclusion

In NFL Week 1, there are several interesting matchups, including great rivalries, rematches, and great one-on-one contests. First is the game between Seattle and New England, a result of the Super Bowl. Second is the game between the Rams and the 49ers played in Melbourne. Then comes another big divisional rivalry game between Philadelphia and Washington, and the AFC game between Indianapolis and Baltimore. Although the 2025 statistics will give us the needed background, new faces can make a difference. All four of these games promise a lot of fun for the 2026 NFL season.