Buffalo Bills 2026 Schedule [Plus Week by Week Pros and Cons]
The 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule is out and is filled with a lot of interesting nuances. The Bills are projected to travel 19,734 miles during the 2026 NFL regular season, the 13th most in the NFL. That’s not bad at all. However, with a murderers’ row of opponents in 2026, what are the pros and cons of the Bills’ schedule week by week? Let’s dig in.
Buffalo Bills 2026-2027 Schedule
Week 1: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans, September 13, 1pm ET
The Buffalo Bills’ 2026 NFL season opener will take place on the road against the Houston Texans on Sunday, September 13, at 1pm ET.
Pros:
Not a very tough opponent. This may be good for a team with a new HC and DC.
If Stroud continues his mediocre play, the defense should have time to settle in.
Fewer distractions on the road.
Cons:
Facing a tough Houston defensive line. The O-line will be tested.
Will the new-look offense and defense look good? There could be plenty of rust and learning curves.
Week 2: Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions (home opener), Thursday, September 17, 8:15pm (TNF)
The Buffalo Bills will open Highmark Stadium against the Detroit Lions on TNF on Thursday, September 17, at 8:15pm ET.
Pros:
It’s a new stadium! What else could you want?
A nighttime game gives the fans plenty of time to “get ready.” It’s going to be loud.
This should be an offensive game. The fans should have plenty to cheer about, and Josh Allen will be the broadcast centerpiece.
Getting a Thursday night game out of the way early in the season is a good thing. Extra rest and game planning heading into week 3 is great.
Cons:
Coming off a short week with a new head coach and defensive coordinator could make it difficult to make adjustments.
The rookie CBs will be tested early.
It’s a tough game. A possible loss for a stadium opener is less than appealing.
Week 3: Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers, September 27, 4:25pm
The Los Angeles Chargers come to Highmark Stadium on Sunday, September 27, at 4:25pm. Justin Herbert, now equipped with a new, forward-thinking OC, may be a litmus test to reveal how Jim Leonhard plans for high-caliber quarterbacks.
Pros:
Back-to-back home games in the new stadium while the weather is nice is a beautiful thing to see.
Josh Allen vs. Justin Herbert is a great QB matchup.
The Chargers’ defense, while talented, has cracked against good offenses. Allen and the Bills can exploit them.
Cons:
Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense can score from anywhere at any time. If Leonhard’s defense has not found its footing early, this could get ugly.
The Chargers were streaky last year. If the new OC finds a rhythm, we could see another shootout.
A loss here raises real questions about the Bills’ prospects in year one under Brady/Leonhard.
Week 4: Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots, October 4, 1pm ET
The Bills return home for a divisional matchup with the New England Patriots on Sunday, October 4, at 1:00 pm. Coming off a Super Bowl appearance and division championship, the Patriots will be looking to prove that last year was no fluke.
Pros:
I think the Patriots were frauds last year. While they have improved, how will Drake Maye deal with an aggressive defense?
The Bills will be fired up to reclaim their spot atop the AFC East.
Still early in the season, so again, the weather should be nice.
Cons:
Divisional games are always tough.
If the Bills lose this game, it’ll be a long flight to LA.
If Buffalo stumbles early, the pressure on Joe Brady may be high.
Week 5: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams, Monday, October 12, 8pm ET (MNF)
The Bills hit the road to face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium for their first Monday night appearance of the year.
Pros:
Josh Allen loves the primetime spotlight.
The Bills could be rolling and wanting to prove they are the team to beat in the NFL.
A healthy Bills team with the talent advantage should be able to get this done, even on a challenging road trip.
Cons:
The Rams are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL. This may be the Bills’ first true test of the year.
The DBs will be tested … again.
The Bills may be struggling, and trying to climb out of a hole against a great team will be a challenge.
Week 6: Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders, October 18, 4:05pm ET
The Bills travel to Allegiant Stadium to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, October 18, at 4:05 pm. I wish I could say more, but what happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas. Let’s just hope this doesn’t become the theme song for the trip.
Pros:
Mendoza may still be adapting to the NFL. The defense could have its first signature game of the year.
The Bills, flat out, have a better roster.
It’s the Raiders.
Cons:
Back-to-back cross-country trips are tough on the body, especially on a short week. Fatigue could slow Buffalo.
Mendoza could look like a true top-tier quarterback.
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens, November 1, 1pm ET
The Baltimore Ravens come to Highmark Stadium on Sunday, November 1, at 1 pm. This is one of the signature home games on this schedule. Lamar Jackson versus Josh Allen, at the new stadium, in November? Sign me up!
Pros:
A home game against one of the AFC’s best teams is a chance to make a genuine playoff statement.
Coming off a bye week, the Bills will be rested, and the staff will have had plenty of time to prepare for the game.
A victory over Baltimore would carry serious weight in the AFC seeding race and validate everything Brady’s staff has been building.
Cons:
Lamar Jackson is still capable of making defenses, especially aggressive ones, pay. Containing him is an entirely different challenge than what the Bills have faced so far.
I think the Ravens are one of the best teams in the AFC.
After last year’s loss to Buffalo and playoff miss, Baltimore will be highly motivated. This game could swing on one play.
Week 9: Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings, Monday, November 9, 8pm ET (MNF)
The Bills hit the Twin Cities for their second Monday Night Football matchup of the year. This could be a massive game in the standings.
Pros:
U.S. Bank Stadium is indoors. The Bills' offense has no excuses.
Fewer distractions on the road.
Minnesota has an average to less-than-average QB. Buffalo does not.
Cons:
The Vikings’ indoor crowd is legitimately difficult to deal with. If they get into it, it may cause challenges.
Hopefully not, but the Bills could still be struggling on defense (either due to players or scheme)
The Vikings have a capable head coach who will surely have his team prepared.
Week 10: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets, November 15, 1pm ET
The Bills travel to MetLife Stadium for a divisional road game against the New York Jets on Sunday, November 15. The Jets are always looking to pull an upset here, and this one will be loud.
Pros:
The Jets are still the Jets and have no real QB to speak of.
The Bills have a better roster.
The D-line should be able to do some work.
Cons:
The turf.
Division games are never easy.
The weather could be terrible.
Week 11: Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins, November 22, 1pm ET
The Bills host the new-look Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium for the first time on Sunday, November 22, at 1:00. The fans will no doubt make their voice heard against this divisional rival.
Pros:
Josh Allen has historically performed well against Miami, and the Bills have largely controlled this series in recent years.
Home in Buffalo against Miami is an enormous advantage. The weather, the crowd, and the environment all favor the Bills.
Jim Leonhard may look to let Bradley Chubb loose on his former team.
The Dolphins may be mentally checked out by now.
Cons:
While Malik Willis isn’t all that good, he’s probably better than Tua.
Divisional games are usually closer than records suggest.
Achane may be an X-factor that can give the Dolphins life.
On an impending short week, the Bills may be looking ahead to the Chiefs.
Week 12: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 8:20pm ET (TNF)
The Buffalo Bills will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving night on Thursday, November 26, 2026. This heated rivalry between the two teams will again feature Josh Allen versus Patrick Mahomes in Primetime. Get your pumpkin pie ready!
Pros:
Allen vs. Mahomes. What else is there to say?
Don’t need to travel on a short week.
A nighttime game gives the crowd plenty of time to get ready.
Jim Leonhard is familiar with KC. Maybe they can crack the Reid/Spagnuolo code
Cons:
Playing on short rest. Another short week to prepare for a tough opponent.
Lots of sleepy and full bellies.
It’s Mahomes and Kelce. These games are never easy!
Week 13: Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, December 6, 4:25pm ET
The Bills travel to Gillette Stadium to take on the New England Patriots on Sunday, December 6. This game promises to have significant playoff and divisional implications. The winner of this game may just be the division winner.
Pros:
The Bills should be well settled into both sides of the ball. No excuses.
Josh Allen > Drake Maye
The Bills have more offensive weapons than the Pats have defensive counterpunches.
Cons:
Never comfortable going into Gillette Stadium, especially in December.
The Patriots will know what’s at stake and may give this game their all.
The Patriots like to cheat.
Week 14: Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers, December 13 at 8:20pm ET (SNF)
The Bills make another Sunday Night Football appearance when they travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. Lambeau in December is as classic as it gets in the NFL. How many times will they compare Green Bay's cold to Buffalo's snow? The over/under is 58.5.
Pros:
Josh Allen shows up in Primetime! Not to mention, he will love playing in Lambeau at night.
The Packers will likely be fighting for playoff positioning. This game will be meaningful for them.
Bucket list trip for Bills fans.
Cons:
It’s going to be cold.
Green Bay’s offense can find rhythm quickly at home, and its defensive front will test the Bills in the cold.
Third straight game versus a tough opponent. The Bills could be mentally tired by this game.
Week 15: Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears, Saturday, December 19, 8:20pm ET
The Bills return home to Highmark Stadium to host the Chicago Bears on Saturday night (8:20 pm ET). A late-season home game, the Bills need to win to stay on track for a top playoff seed.
Pros:
December at Highmark Stadium is legitimately one of the toughest environments in the NFL. Nobody wants to play in Buffalo in winter.
DJ Moore revenge game. Let him loose!
We may see the overhang tested for the first time. Plus, wind probably won’t be a factor.
Cons:
Fourth tough game in a row. If the team wasn’t drained before the last one, this one could do it.
Injuries could be a real concern by this point. The Bills’ newly drafted depth may be genuinely tested.
The Bills could try to force the ball to Moore, throwing off their offense.
Week 16: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos, Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 4:30pm ET
The Bills head west to take on the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day at 4:30 pm. A cross-conference AFC West road trip and legitimate altitude challenge await.
Pros:
Joe Brady will have a sour taste in his mouth from the playoff loss. He’ll want to prove a few things.
Jim Leonhard knows Denver, and he should know how to attack them.
The Bills may be in playoff mode by this time, making their entire focus on winning.
Cons:
Playing a meaningful road game on Christmas Day requires exceptional focus, especially for first-time fathers (looking at you #17). Josh’s mind could be elsewhere.
The Broncos know Jim Leonhard and may know how to take advantage of his aggressiveness.
Denver’s defensive front is built to be disruptive, and the crowd at Empower Field creates real noise issues for the offensive line.
The second short week in a row, and a long cross-country flight, can be physically draining.
Week 17: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins, Saturday, January 3, 2027, at 1pm ET
The Bills head south to take on the Miami Dolphins for a Saturday slate on January 3. Miami in January is better than Buffalo in January. Bring on the sun.
Pros:
Being a late January game, the intense afternoon sun shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
The sunshine may be seen more as a wanted escape than a road game.
Dolphins’ players, who know they are in full rebuild mode, may still be slow from the New Year’s celebration in South Beach.
Likely a road home game.
Cons:
Divisional games are still usually close.
Achane may be an X-factor that can give the Dolphins life.
Both teams could be banged up heading into this game after 16 weeks. The injury report will matter more than usual.
A loss here could flip the AFC East and significantly complicate the Bills’ path to not only a top seed but maybe even a playoff spot.
Week 18: Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets, either Saturday, January 9 or Sunday, January 10, 2027
The Bills close out the 2-026-2027 regular season by hosting the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Win this, build momentum, and let the crowd get fully fired up for, hopefully, a long playoff run.
Pros:
The Jets will certainly be checked out by this game.
This game will likely be meaningful for the Bills’ playoff path. Going against an already-defeated team will be the breather they need.
If the Bills don’t need the game, it’s a perfect time to rest some players, since a Jets win likely won’t impact other AFC playoff seeding.
Cons:
Potential to look past the Jets could lead to a devastating trap game.
Needing to win exposes the team to injuries. With the Bills’ bye week coming early (week 7), they will need some rest by this point.
Get off to a slow start in a big game, and the boo birds could be out.
FAQs:
Who do the Buffalo Bills open with to start the 2026 season?
The Buffalo Bills will open the 2026 NFL regular season at the Houston Texans on Sunday, September 13 at 1pm ET.
When is the home opener for the Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills will play their home opener and first-ever game at Highmark Stadium on Thursday, September 17, at 8pm, against the Detroit Lions.
Do the Buffalo Bills play on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes. The Buffalo Bills will play the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving Night on Thursday Night Football, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15pm ET.
How many primetime games do the Buffalo Bills have in 2026?
The Bills have six primetime games in the 2026-2027 NFL season, in addition to three 4:25pm games.