NFL Week 1 preview: 5 games you can’t miss this weekend

NFL is back for 2026, and after a clutch of opening games earlier this week, Week 1 gets rolling on Sunday.There's plenty of storylines to follow – from Josh Allen and the Bills facing a tough test in Houston to the Eagles hosting the Commanders in an intriguing NFC East clash.Later, the Packers visit the Vikings before the Cowboys and Giants renew their rivalry under the Sunday Night Football spotlight.Here's our pick of the top five NFL Week 1 games – and where to watch NFL online and on TV.🏈 Watch NFL from anywhere with IPVanish (83% off)Bills at Texans — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+ This could be the best game of the early window. Buffalo and Houston both have legitimate AFC championship ambitions, while Josh Allen has a particularly strange history in Houston: he's 0-4 playing away, including the playoffs. The Texans' defense has also given Allen fits in recent meetings.Watch: Allen vs. Will Anderson Jr. and whether C.J. Stroud can finally deliver the consistency Houston needs.Commanders at Eagles — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX/Fox One An NFC East rivalry with plenty of intrigue. Jayden Daniels enters Year 3 looking to get Washington back on track, while Philadelphia is trying to build around Jalen Hurts after significant offensive changes, including the departure of A.J. Brown.Watch: Can Washington's revamped offensive line survive Philadelphia's pass rush?Packers at Vikings — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+ The NFC North gets an early test, with Green Bay's Jordan Love facing a Minnesota team that has made a major quarterback change. Kyler Murray is now the Vikings' starter, with Carson Wentz backing him up and J.J. McCarthy currently third on the depth chart.Watch: Murray's Minnesota debut and whether Green Bay can exploit the Vikings' unsettled QB situation.Cowboys at Giants — Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock Sunday Night Football brings one of the NFL's biggest rivalries. Dallas has dominated this matchup recently, but New York enters a new era under head coach John Harbaugh, with second-year QB Jaxson Dart and a revamped defense.Watch: Dart against a Cowboys defense that will be eager to pressure the young quarterback.Ravens at Colts — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+ Baltimore arrives with perennial MVP contender Lamar Jackson, while Indianapolis gets a brutal opening test against one of the AFC's most physical teams. It's a particularly important early measuring stick for the Colts.Watch: Whether Indianapolis can slow the Ravens' rushing attack and keep Jackson from controlling the game with his legs.Watch NFL Week 1 from anywhereAway from home? You may not be able to watch the action like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution — you can use a VPN to unlock your local NFL coverage.If you're in the market for a good VPN, we have a special 83% off deal on IPVanish below...More from Tom's GuideHow to watch 'Super Bowl Champions: The 2025 Seattle Seahawks' for FREEThe best streaming VPNsHow to get NFL Sunday Ticket for the 2026-2027 season We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. Sign up to the weekly Tom's Streaming Guide to stay in the loop with the latest releases and top recommendations across your favorite streaming services. We’ve got you covered with a complete guide on what’s worth watching.