The NFL will release its full regular season schedule on May 14. That’s cool, but we already know who’s facing whom — it’s just a matter of when those games will happen. For now, though, we can discuss the top matchups of the year.

Some of the top games involve big rivalries and some individual clashes. For this exercise, though, we avoided divisional games because they always happen twice a year.

Bills vs. Chiefs

This one is easy, and it’s been a relatively frequent matchup in the AFC. Don’t be surprised if the NFL schedules this game for late in the season, so they can secure the full Patrick Mahomes-Josh Allen experience. Mahomes is recovering from an ACL injury.

Since Mahomes and Allen became NFL starters in 2018, these two rivals have faced off 10 times, with five wins for each side. However, Kansas City won all four playoff games. At least for this specific game, there’s a positive side for the Bills, who’ve won most of their regular season head-to-heads this decade.

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Eagles vs. Seahawks

For Philly, a non-divisional regular season game can’t be much bigger than this one. It’s a matchup to prove they’re still real contenders in the NFC picture, against the defending Super Bowl champions. But also it’s a head-to-head that has been extremely favorable for the Seahawks lately. Seattle has won eight consecutive games versus Philly. The Eagles’ most recent victory over the Seahawks came in 2008, and the quarterback matchup was Donovan McNabb vs. Seneca Wallace.

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Broncos vs. Seahawks

For Denver, this game has a special meaning for multiple reasons. First and foremost, fans will have that feeling of what could have been. The Broncos were so close to another Super Bowl appearance against the Seahawks until quarterback Bo Nix got hurt during the playoffs. And the Super Bowl got so out of hand for the New England Patriots that it’s easy to imagine a healthy Broncos being there instead.

Moreover, the Broncos suffered one of their toughest losses in franchise history to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl XLVIII. Denver fans will be quick to say this game won’t be like any other.

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Colts vs. Ravens

This rivalry goes both ways. For Baltimore fans, the Colts will always be a reason for hate after the relocation to Indianapolis. But particularly this year, the Colts should be extremely excited for a real test. Outside of the AFC South, Indy doesn’t have many marquee games, so this matchup is a great opportunity to show the NFL world that what happened last year before Daniel Jones got hurt wasn’t a complete mirage.

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Patriots vs. Packers

The Patriots have some cool AFC games, including one with the Chiefs. But let’s get out of the ordinary here. And that’s because a Drake Maye-Jordan Love head-to-head is one of the coolest quarterback matchups of the season for those who like aggressive and efficient offensive football. Both Maye and Love had strong seasons in 2025, and their physical tools and arm strength are calling cards. It’s also some sort of revenge game for wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who left Green Bay and signed with New England in free agency.

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Chiefs vs. 49ers

San Francisco fans will have this game mark on their calendars from the first day. After two recent Super Bowl losses, it’s hard not to have a deep desire to face the other guys again in a different situation. Hopefully, Mahomes will be ready to go in this one.