9 Revenge Games on the 2026 NFL Schedule

Story by

Story by
9 Revenge Games on the 2026 NFL Schedule

Craig Ellenport · Athlon Sports

Fri, Mar 13, 2026 ·

5 min read

About Our Ads

The first few days of NFL free agency have seen several big names change hands . Of course, no news was bigger than Tuesday night's bombshell about one player who is (at least for now) not on the move. That's when we learned the Maxx Crosby trade, from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens was cancelled .

The Ravens have received the brunt of the criticism for how this all went down, creating a juicy new rivalry. Unfortunately for all NFL fans, the Ravens and Raiders are not scheduled to face each other during the 2026 regular season.

If they were to play, you can bet the NFL schedule-makers would have set that game to be played later in the season and in prime time, when Crosby would be healthy and good to go. Just imagine how much fun it would be to see Crosby lining up against the Ravens.

Even without the Crosby angle, there are still a handful of matchups that will feature intriguing "revenge games" for players that have switched clubs this week. The 2026 NFL schedule won't be finalized until May, but all 32 teams know who their oppoentns will be. Here are a few games to keep an eye on:

9 Revenge Games on the 2026 NFL Schedule

Chiefs at Seahawks

The NFL media partners — networks and streamers alike — will be lobbying hard to get this game on their schedules. The Super Bowl MVP in his first game against the team he helped win it all would actually be a great season-opening Kickoff game. That probably won't happen, because Mahomes might not be ready for Week 1. But Kenneth Walker III beginning his Chiefs career in Seattle would be delicious.

Bengals vs. Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson celebrates a sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It didn't take long after they rejected the Crosby trade that the Ravens landed their game-changing pass rusher with the signing of Trey Hendrickon , who racked up 61 sacks in five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals . And this one is juicy. Hendrickson has had a hate-hate relationship with the Bengals the last two years, and he couldn't wait to get out of Cincy. Now that he signed in the division, he gets to wreak havoc on his old team twice a year.

Raiders at Jets

Former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith looks towards the sideline during a game.Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Raiders surely harbor no ill will toward quarterback Geno Smith . If Smith wasn't as bad as he was last season, Vegas might not be in position to get Fernando Mendoza next month with the No. 1 pick in the draft. Now that Smith is back in New York, playing for the team that drafted him, he would no doubt relish the opportunity to beat the Raiders.

Panthers at Eagles

NFL insiders were somewhat surprised when linebacker Jaelan Phillips signed with the Carolina Panthers — there was a feeling that the Philadelphia Eagles were intent on re-signing Phillips after he played so well for them after being acquired in the middle of last season. Now Phillips gets to show Philly what it's missing.

Panthers at Steelers

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle runs with the ball during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 12, 2025.Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images

When the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle away from the Dallas Cowboys last season, he couldn't wait to get revenge on his old team. As soon as he got to Carolina, Dowdle had that Week 6 game against Dallas circled on the calendar — and he didn't disappoint. In Carolina's 30-27 win over the Cowboys, Dowdle rushed 30 times for 183 yards and added four receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. Well, the Panthers decided they didn't need to keep Dowdle, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers . So as soon as a date is set for the Panthers-Steelers game, you know Dowdle will have that circled as well.

Dolphins at Packers

It's not exactly a "revenge game." The Green Bay Packers would have been happy to keep defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, but he had to jump at the opportunity to be a head coach. And the Packers would have been happy to keep Malik Willis … as their No. 2 quarterback. As good as Willis looked in relief of Jordan Love last season, they couldn't make such a drastic change. So now Willis gets his chance to be a starter. He can at least give Green Bay a taste of what they could have had.

Packers at Patriots

Romeo Doubs caught 202 passes for 2,424 yards and 21 touchdowns in his four-year career with the Green Bay Packers, but he was never really a dominant receiver. He may or may not be the No. 1 target for Drake Maye now that he's signed with the New England Patriots , but he'll at least get a chance to try another Lambeau Leap when he returns to Green Bay this season.

Colts at Steelers

The Indianapolis Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers, in part to free up money so they could afford to re-sign Alec Pierce . Pittman would love to show the Colts they kept the wrong receiver.

Chiefs at Rams

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) celebrates with Trent McDuffie (22) after recovering a muffed punt against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium.(Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Let's hope the NFL schedules this game a little later in the season, when Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is fully healthy. Because that's the only way the Chiefs will have a chance to make a dent against a Los Angeles Rams secondary that enjoyed a makeover in the last two weeks by trading for Chiefs Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie and then signing for Chiefs corner Jaylen Watson in free agency. McDuffie and Watson will surely do all they can to shut down Kansas City .

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Mobilize your Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: