Leading into Week 1, several teams faced pre-kickoff shakeups and injuries that could influence early outcomes. Green Bay, for example, navigated the offseason without two key players: Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs. Dallas saw guard Tyler Smith undergo thumb surgery, sidelining him for an initial stretch. Detroit began the season without both starting safeties, and Carolina will play without either of its starting tackles. These developments will shape how teams approach Week 1 and beyond.
Here is a ranking of all 16 NFC teams as the season gets underway, listed from 16 up to 1, with a quick snapshot of what to expect for Week 1 and overall outlook.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Week 1 opponent: at Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, September 13, 4:25 PM ET
Key notes: Mike LaFleur enters his first year as head coach with six of his first nine games on the road. Jacoby Brissett starts at quarterback after Kyler Murray was released earlier in the year. Brissett was voted a captain by teammates in the offseason. Rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is coming off a high ankle sprain but expected to be available. Arizona finished the previous season with a 3-14 record.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Week 1 opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Key notes: The quarterback situation is unsettled as Michael Penix Jr. is inactive while he recovers from a torn ACL. Tua Tagovailoa steps in to start, with Cooper Rush backing him up. The offense will lean on Bijan Robinson, who led the league in scrimmage yards last season, as Atlanta looks to establish its new aerial and ground attack.
14. Washington Commanders
Week 1 opponent: at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Key notes: Jayden Daniels runs the offense in camp, learning a new system under David Blough. Stefon Diggs is slated to be the No. 2 receiver behind Terry McLaurin, and Diggs surpassed 1,000 receiving yards last season. The edge may be thin due to suspensions and injuries affecting players such as Dorance Armstrong, Odafe Oweh, and K’Lavon Chaisson. Washington must also cope with the loss of left tackle Laremy Tunsil this offseason.
13. New York Giants
Week 1 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 13, 8:20 PM ET
Key notes: The team anticipates a game under first-year head coach John Harbaugh in New York. Malik Nabers is likely to play after tearing his ACL last season, and the offense could feature him alongside Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Malachi Fields in the receiving corps. The Giants released Darius Slayton, signaling growing confidence in Nabers and the rest of the receiving group.
12. New Orleans Saints
Week 1 opponent: at Detroit Lions, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Key notes: Kellen Moore begins his second season coordinating the Saints’ offense, but availability is a concern for key playmakers. Alvin Kamara has not practiced recently due to an MCL injury, Jordyn Tyson starts on injured reserve with a hamstring issue, and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is out for the year after an ACL tear. Travis Etienne Jr. is expected to lead the backfield after a four-year, $48 million deal.
11. Carolina Panthers
Week 1 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Key notes: The Panthers’ protection unit faces a challenge early as both starting tackles are unavailable for Week 1. Ikem Ekwonu is recovering from a patellar tendon injury, and Taylor Moton has a blood-clot diagnosis. Rasheed Walker steps in at left tackle with first-round rookie Monroe Freeling at right tackle. Bryce Young will target Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, as rookie Chris Brazzell II is out for the season with a torn LCL.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 1 opponent: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Key notes: The offense will look to continue producing with Chris Godwin as the top receiving option, following the departure of Mike Evans. Emeka Egbuka is back to practice after a toe sprain, and he flashed as a rookie with strong receiving numbers. Jalen McMillan is also returning from a knee issue, adding depth to the receiving corps.
9. Minnesota Vikings
Week 1 opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, September 13, 4:25 PM ET
Key notes: Kyler Murray earned a quarterback competition early in camp, giving Minnesota a shaken but potentially more accurate passing game. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will operate with Jauan Jennings in the mix. Re-signing Harrison Smith provides veteran stability, though the team lost Jamal Adams for the season.
8. Detroit Lions
Week 1 opponent: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Key notes: Detroit’s safeties are dealing with injuries, opening Week 1 with some veteran replacements. Brian Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles, while Kerby Joseph returns from a knee injury. Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox step into starting roles as the defense adjusts, and Cade Mays is sidelined with a wrist injury.
7. Green Bay Packers
Week 1 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, September 13, 4:25 PM ET
Key notes: Green Bay travels to face a division rival in a game that could set the tone for the early part of the season. Micah Parsons is on short-term injured reserve, rehabbing an ACL, and won’t be back before Week 5. Josh Jacobs is on the commissioner’s exempt list; Kaleb Johnson steps in, with MarShawn Lloyd also in the backfield behind Jordan Love.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Week 1 opponent: at New York Giants, Sunday, September 13, 8:20 PM ET
Key notes: Dallas will be without Tyler Smith for at least the start after thumb surgery, with T.J. Bass stepping in at left guard. Dak Prescott will face a formidable pass rush featuring Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, making Week 1 a stern test for the offense.
5. Chicago Bears
Week 1 opponent: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Key notes: Chicago’s secondary has been hit hard by injuries, with several players on the physically unable to perform list. Kyler Gordon, Noah Sewell, and Shemar Turner are among those starting the season on PUP. GM Ryan Poles has expressed uncertainty about Gordon’s future involvement in 2026. On offense, Luther Burden III returns from a groin issue and will be a focal point in the passing game.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Week 1 opponent: at Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, September 10, 8:35 PM ET (Australia game)
Key notes: The 49ers begin the season with a high-stakes game in Melbourne, marking the first NFL regular-season game on Australian soil. George Kittle is dealing with an Achilles-related status question, while Nick Bosa is labeled questionable after ACL surgery. San Francisco remains aggressive, adding Mike Evans to their roster in the offseason. The Australia game adds a distinct twist to the early schedule as the team aims to defend its NFC West title.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 1 opponent: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM ET
Key notes: Head coach Nick Sirianni enjoys a strong track record in season openers. The Eagles enter the year near full strength, though Jonathan Greenard spent camp on the PUP list with a pectoral strain. With DeVonta Smith stepping into a primary role after AJ Brown’s departure to New England, Philadelphia will lean on surrounding weapons to maintain an dynamic offense.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Week 1 opponent: vs. New England Patriots, Wednesday, September 9, 8:20 PM ET
Key notes: The defending champions raise the banner for Super Bowl LX on opening night. The Seahawks face a relatively rusty backfield arrangement, as Kenneth Walker III signed with Kansas City, and Zach Charbonnet is on the PUP list for four weeks. Rookie Jadarian Price is expected to absorb much of the workload behind Sam Darnold as Seattle looks to start strong.
1. Los Angeles Rams
Week 1 opponent: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 10, 8:35 PM ET (Australia game)
Key notes: The Rams are the designated home team for the Melbourne showdown with the 49ers. Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP, returns after a prolific 4,707-yard, 46-touchdown season. The Rams also added Myles Garrett, the former Defensive Player of the Year, to bolster the defense. Aaron Donald is back after a brief retirement, adding a historic element to a championship-caliber roster that aims to contend for another deep run.
This season preview emphasizes the depth and changes across the NFC, highlighting how injuries, roster moves, and late-summer signings could shape Week 1 outcomes and the conference race. As teams navigate an unusual start to the schedule and adapt to new roles, fans can expect a competitive field across the NFC with several teams capable of generating surprise wins and challenging the established powers.
