Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, May 15, 2026
Seahawks Open Super Bowl Defense Against Patriots in Rare Wednesday Night Kickoff
The Seattle Seahawks will launch their Super Bowl championship defense on Wednesday, September 9 at Lumen Field, hosting the New England Patriots in a rare midweek kickoff. The matchup is a rematch of Super Bowl LX, in which Seattle dismantled New England 29–13 in February 2026, and marks just the third time in NFL history that both Super Bowl participants have met in a Week 1 rematch. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. For the Patriots, led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye, this road opener in hostile territory carries immediate playoff-caliber intensity as New England begins its mission to reclaim the AFC title.
Sources: ESPN
NFL Makes History with First-Ever Game in Australia, Announces Record Nine International Matchups
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will make NFL history when they meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET, marking the league's first-ever regular-season game in Australia. The matchup headlines a record nine-game international slate spanning seven countries and four continents, including games in London, Madrid, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, and Germany. Commissioner Roger Goodell called the Australian debut the league's most significant global expansion in years. NFC West rivals and 2025 playoff teams, the 49ers and Rams provide marquee star power for what the NFL is positioning as a landmark moment in the sport's international growth.
Sources: NFL.com
Chiefs-Broncos Monday Night Opener Puts National Spotlight on Mahomes' ACL Recovery
The NFL placed the Chiefs against the Broncos in the Monday Night Football Week 1 opener on September 14, spotlighting Patrick Mahomes and his uncertain return from a torn ACL and LCL suffered December 14, 2025. Chiefs GM Brett Veach said Mahomes is progressing ahead of schedule, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported there is a realistic chance he starts. Kansas City added quarterback insurance by acquiring Justin Fields and drafting Garrett Nussmeier. Denver, the AFC West champion at 14–3 under Bo Nix, swept Kansas City in 2025 and is well-positioned heading into 2026. The opener will be one of the highest-rated Week 1 games regardless of Mahomes' availability.
Sources: NFL.com
NFL Expands Holiday Slate: First-Ever Thanksgiving Eve Game, Christmas Tripleheader Announced
The NFL unveiled an expanded 2026 holiday schedule headlined by the first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game, with the Green Bay Packers hosting the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, November 25 at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix. Thanksgiving Day features the Lions hosting the Bears, the Eagles at the Cowboys, and the Chiefs at the Bills. Black Friday returns with the Broncos hosting the Steelers on Amazon Prime Video. Christmas Day delivers a tripleheader of playoff rematches: Packers at Bears and Bills at Broncos on Netflix, and Rams at Seahawks on Fox on December 25. A Christmas Eve bonus game pits the Texans at the Eagles on Amazon Prime.
Sources: NFL.com
De'Von Achane Signs 4-Year, $64M Extension with Dolphins, Third-Highest-Paid RB in the NFL
The Miami Dolphins agreed to terms with running back De'Von Achane on a four-year, $64 million extension on Wednesday, May 13, with details confirmed by multiple outlets May 14. The deal includes $32 million in guaranteed money and a $16 million average annual value, ranking Achane third among running backs behind Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey. He rushed for a career-high 1,350 yards on 238 carries in 2025, led the league with 5.7 yards per carry, and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. The extension runs through 2030. Miami GM Jon-Eric Sullivan declared Achane untouchable even as the Dolphins parted with Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle.
Sources: AP via WFLX
A.J. Brown's Expected Trade to Patriots After June 1 Gains Momentum as Boston Condo Search Reported
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown is expected to be traded to the New England Patriots after June 1, with multiple reports indicating the agreement is essentially finalized pending the calendar date for salary-cap purposes. Trading Brown before June 1 would place a $40 million cap charge entirely in 2026; after that date, it splits across two years. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the trade is likely, with compensation expected to include a 2028 first-round draft pick. Brown was reportedly seen touring a condo in Boston's Seaport district this week. Philadelphia preemptively rebuilt their receiver corps by drafting Makai Lemon in the first round and acquiring Dontayvion Wicks from Green Bay.
Sources: CBS Sports
NFL's Top 10 Must-Watch Games of 2026 Feature Playoff Rematches, Revenge Games, and Maye vs. Mahomes
NFL.com released its top 10 must-watch games of the 2026 season, with analysts spotlighting Week 15's Patriots-Chiefs matchup as a potential Drake Maye versus Patrick Mahomes duel at Gillette Stadium, assuming both quarterbacks are healthy. The Christmas Day tripleheader, featuring Bills at Broncos and Rams at Seahawks, ranked among the most-anticipated games. The Seahawks' six primetime appearances make Seattle the schedule's marquee attraction. Multiple NFC North rematches, including Packers-Bears twice, drew strong interest given both teams' playoff pedigrees. The Chiefs' road-heavy early slate emerged as the most compelling storyline likely to define the AFC West from the opening week onward.
Sources: NFL.com
Schedule Winners and Losers: Seahawks Score Six Primetime Slots; Chiefs Draw Difficult Early Road
NFL analysts quickly identified schedule winners and losers from Thursday's full 2026 release. The Seattle Seahawks earned the most coveted placement, drawing six primetime games, including a rare Wednesday night season opener and a Christmas Day home finale against the Rams on Fox. New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh opens on Sunday Night Football on September 13 against Dallas, a marquee measuring stick in his debut season. The Kansas City Chiefs drew scrutiny with a challenging early schedule while Patrick Mahomes continues ACL rehabilitation. Denver earned a strong home opener on Monday Night Football, coming off a franchise-best 14–3 regular-season record as AFC West champions.
Sources: NFL.com
American League Divisions
AFC East
1. New England Patriots — 14–3–0
2. Buffalo Bills — 12–5–0
3. Miami Dolphins — 7–10–0
4. New York Jets — 3–14–0
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers — 10–7–0
2. Baltimore Ravens — 8–9–0
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 6–11–0
4. Cleveland Browns — 5–12–0
AFC South
1. Jacksonville Jaguars — 13–4–0
2. Houston Texans — 12–5–0
3. Indianapolis Colts — 8–9–0
4. Tennessee Titans — 3–14–0
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 14–3–0
2. Los Angeles Chargers — 11–6–0
3. Kansas City Chiefs — 6–11–0
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 3–14–0
National League Divisions
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0
2. Dallas Cowboys — 7–9–1
3. Washington Commanders — 5–12–0
4. New York Giants — 4–13–0
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 11–6–0
2. Green Bay Packers — 9–7–1
3. Minnesota Vikings — 9–8–0
4. Detroit Lions — 9–8–0
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons — 8–9–0
2. Carolina Panthers — 8–9–0
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8–9–0
4. New Orleans Saints — 6–11–0
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 14–3–0
2. Los Angeles Rams — 12–5–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency