NFL Schedule: Week 8 Games, Kickoff Times and 2026 Season Updates
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The NFL schedule is packed with important matchups as the 2026 regular season moves into November. Week 8 continues on Sunday, November 1, with a full slate of games, including Ravens vs. Bills, Vikings vs. Lions and Chiefs vs. Broncos. NFL schedule The week concludes with Monday Night Football when the Chicago Bears visit the Seattle Seahawks.
Fans are also looking ahead to Week 9, which features major matchups such as Cowboys vs. Colts, Lions vs. Dolphins and Buccaneers vs. Bears. Here is a guide to the latest NFL fixtures, kickoff times and games to watch. NFL.com+2
NFL Schedule Today: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Sunday’s NFL schedule features several exciting matchups across the league. Teams are competing for important conference wins as the regular season moves toward its second half.
Here are the scheduled games and kickoff times in Eastern Time:
| Matchup | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills | 1:00 p.m. |
| Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00 p.m. |
| Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys | 1:00 p.m. |
| Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions | 1:00 p.m. |
| Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars | 1:00 p.m. |
| Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets | 1:00 p.m. |
| Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers | 1:00 p.m. |
| Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1:00 p.m. |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams | 4:05 p.m. |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos | 4:25 p.m. |
| New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins | 4:25 p.m. |
The Sunday night and Monday night games complete the Week 8 schedule. Kickoff times and broadcast information should always be checked against the official NFL schedule before game day. <Cite refs={[“turn365332search1″,”turn365332news4”]}/>
Monday Night Football: Bears vs. Seahawks
The Chicago Bears visit the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, November 2, at 8:15 p.m. ET.
This matchup gives both teams an opportunity to make progress in their conference standings. Chicago will look to execute effectively on offense and contain Seattle’s playmakers, while the Seahawks will try to use home-field advantage.
Monday Night Football regularly attracts national attention, and this game is an important part of the Week 8 NFL schedule.
Biggest NFL Games to Watch This Week
Several matchups on the November 1 schedule deserve special attention because of their potential impact on the playoff race.
Ravens vs. Bills
Baltimore travels to Buffalo for a matchup between two teams with strong postseason ambitions. The game could feature important quarterback performances and a physical contest between the defenses.
Vikings vs. Lions
Minnesota visits Detroit in a major NFC North divisional matchup. Division games are particularly important because they can influence tiebreakers and the race for the NFC North title.
Chiefs vs. Broncos
Kansas City faces Denver in another important AFC West contest. Both teams will be looking to gain an advantage in a competitive division.
Chargers vs. Rams
The Los Angeles Chargers meet the Los Angeles Rams in a matchup that brings two city rivals together. The result could influence each team’s position in its respective conference race.
NFL Week 9 Schedule: November 5–9, 2026
The following week brings another group of important games, including divisional contests and matchups between teams competing for playoff positions.
| Date | Matchup | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 5 | Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens | 8:15 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons | 9:30 a.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers | 1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts | 1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs | 1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins | 1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints | 1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles | 1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders | 1:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers | 4:05 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Las Vegas Raiders at San Francisco 49ers | 4:25 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots | 4:25 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears | 8:20 p.m. |
| Nov. 9 | Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings | 8:15 p.m. |
The international game between Cincinnati and Atlanta is scheduled in Madrid, Spain. Some later-season kickoff times and television arrangements may change under the NFL’s flexible scheduling rules. <Cite refs={[“turn365332search9″,”turn365332search0”]}/>
How the NFL Schedule Works
The NFL regular season includes 18 weeks, with each team playing 17 games and receiving one bye week. The schedule is designed to provide a mix of divisional, conference and interconference competition.
Teams generally play:
- Six games against their three divisional opponents.
- Four games against teams from another division within their conference.
- Four games against teams from a division in the opposite conference.
- Two games based on their previous season’s divisional standings.
- One additional interconference game based on the previous season’s standings.
This format creates a balanced schedule while maintaining important divisional rivalries.
Where to Watch NFL Games
NFL games are distributed across several television networks and streaming services. The broadcaster depends on the matchup, kickoff time and national television selection.
Fans can follow games through:
- CBS and FOX: Carry many Sunday afternoon regular-season games.
- NBC: Broadcasts Sunday Night Football.
- ESPN and ABC: Carry Monday Night Football games.
- Prime Video: Carries Thursday Night Football.
- NFL Network: Provides selected national and international game coverage.
- NFL+: Offers supported live and on-demand viewing options.
Availability varies by country, subscription and broadcast rights. Fans outside the United States should check their local sports broadcasters.
Why the NFL Schedule Matters for the Playoff Race
Every regular-season game can influence a team’s chances of reaching the postseason. A divisional victory can be especially valuable because it improves a team’s record against direct competitors.
Conference records, head-to-head results and strength of schedule can also become important when teams finish with similar records.
As November progresses, teams will begin to understand their playoff positions more clearly. Some franchises may focus on securing division titles, while others will compete for wild-card opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the NFL schedule for today?
Sunday, November 1, 2026, features 11 scheduled games, including Ravens vs. Bills, Vikings vs. Lions and Chiefs vs. Broncos.
2. What time does the NFL game start today?
The first Sunday games begin at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Afternoon games begin at 4:05 or 4:25 p.m., followed by the evening broadcast.
3. Who plays on Monday Night Football?
The Chicago Bears visit the Seattle Seahawks on November 2, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time.
4. How many games does each NFL team play?
Each team plays 17 regular-season games across an 18-week schedule, with one bye week.
5. When does NFL Week 9 begin?
Week 9 begins with the Jacksonville Jaguars visiting the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
6. Where can I find the official NFL schedule?
The official NFL website provides weekly fixtures, kickoff times, team schedules and game updates.
7. Can NFL game times change?
Yes. The NFL can adjust certain kickoff times through flexible scheduling procedures, particularly later in the season.
Conclusion
The NFL schedule for November 2026 features important divisional games, exciting conference matchups and nationally televised contests. Sunday’s games include Ravens vs. Bills and NFL schedule Vikings vs. Lions, while Monday Night Football brings the Bears and Seahawks together. Week 9 will continue the competition with several playoff-relevant matchups. Fans should check the official NFL schedule regularly for updated kickoff times, broadcast details and game-day changes.




