2026 NFL schedule launch: How do journey, relaxation, prime time and out of doors video games affect groups?

When groups should comply with up a Sunday sport with a Thursday sport the following week, or a Monday sport with a Saturday or Sunday sport, these are thought-about brief weeks — as a result of there are fewer than six days off between video games. In 2026, the Bears and Bills will every have six brief weeks, essentially the most within the NFL. Should they be bracing themselves for a tough journey?

Based on what transpired in 2025, maybe. The Commanders and Eagles every had 5 video games on a brief week in 2025, tied for essentially the most within the NFL. The Commanders went 0-5 whereas the Eagles went 3-2. Some groups apparently weren’t fazed in any respect by this problem, although; the Seahawks, Broncos and Cowboys all went 3-0 in video games on a brief week in 2025, tied for the most effective file within the NFL.

The image additional again seems to be even extra encouraging. Over the previous 10 seasons, there have been two extra groups that performed 5 video games on brief weeks: the 2024 Ravens and 2020 Bills. And, just like the Eagles final season, these two groups received their respective divisions.

John Harbaugh’s outdated workforce, the Ravens, went 22-8 on a brief week over the past 10 seasons, the most effective file within the NFL throughout that span. Which is nice information for his new workforce, the Giants, who personal a league-worst 8-20 file on a brief week in that point interval.