The best grudge-match games on the NFL's 2026 regular-season schedule

NFL players and coaches need no additional motivation to prepare for their 17-game slates. Still, a few of the matchups ahead this year might hold more meaning for some of the parties involved. Whether it's a matter of revenge, redemption or just lingering ill will, several games ahead will hold relevance beyond this season's standings.

And the league surely takes notice of the storylines, too, with some of the most captivating clashes bound for prime time. With the full 2026 NFL regular-season schedule set to be released Thursday, here are the best grudge-match games set to take place at some point during the campaign: New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks Triumphing in a regular-season rematch might seem like cold comfort for the Patriots after February's Super Bowl shellacking. But more than a few figures – including quarterback Drake Maye, left tackle Will Campbell and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels – likely want to demonstrate they've moved on from the rout.

Putting together a much more palatable performance against the defending champions would go a long way toward swaying skeptics of last year's No. 2 scoring offense and its staying power. Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals Any sense of ill will from a player toward his former team typically tends to remain at least somewhat veiled.

Not so for Trey Hendrickson, the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher who repeatedly aired out his frustrations with the Bengals throughout and after his standoff with the team. Though his beef is with the front office rather than his former teammates, Hendrickson surely will enjoy the opportunity to take down Joe Burrow in earnest and stoke the flames of an already intense divisional rivalry after signing with the Ravens in free agency . Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs.