The NFL is back.
The 2026 regular season has officially begun, launching another five-month journey that will ultimately determine who gets a chance to play for the Lombardi Trophy.
Kickoff Week opened with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots on Wednesday, September 9. The NFL then expanded its international footprint Thursday with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams meeting in Melbourne, Australia.
But for millions of football fans, the season really shifts into high gear Sunday, September 13, when the first full slate of games arrives.
A New Chapter in Baltimore
For Baltimore Ravens fans, the new season brings familiar expectations but a major change on the sideline.
The Ravens begin their 2026 campaign on the road against the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
It will be Baltimore’s first regular-season game under new head coach Jesse Minter.
Lamar Jackson remains the centerpiece of the Ravens’ championship ambitions, and Baltimore once again enters the season facing expectations that extend well beyond simply reaching the playoffs.
The standard is a Super Bowl.
That makes every stage of this season important. Baltimore has repeatedly demonstrated that it can compete with the NFL’s best teams. The challenge is turning regular-season success into a complete postseason run.
The journey starts in Indianapolis.
Week 1 Has Plenty of Firepower
Around the league, Sunday’s schedule offers an immediate look at several teams expected to shape the playoff picture.
Buffalo travels to Houston. Green Bay visits Minnesota in an NFC North battle. Washington heads to Philadelphia for an NFC East matchup, while Dallas and the New York Giants take over Sunday Night Football.
Monday Night Football then puts the AFC West in the national spotlight when Denver visits Kansas City.
Week 1 won’t determine who wins the Super Bowl, but it gives us our first real evidence of which offseason narratives were legitimate and which ones were hype.
The Questions Finally Get Answers
Every NFL offseason is filled with predictions.
Which rookie will become a star?
Which veteran has another great season left?
Which new coach can change a franchise?
Which team will make the leap from rebuilding project to playoff contender?
And which preseason Super Bowl favorite will disappoint?
Beginning now, those questions are answered on the field.
For Baltimore, one question towers over the others:
Can Lamar Jackson and the Ravens finally turn championship expectations into a trip to the Super Bowl?
The 2026 NFL season is underway.
Let the games begin.
