The NFL will release its full 2026 schedule on Thursday night, but some games have already been leaked by media outlets and even the league itself. The Buffalo Bills are aware of two of their matchups: one against the Detroit Lions in Week 2 for “Thursday Night Football,” and another against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving night.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Wednesday that the Bills will host the Chiefs on Thanksgiving night, with the game set to be broadcast on NBC.
Bills Will Join the List of the Other Two Thanksgiving Games
The NFL has two more exciting games lined up for Thanksgiving Day before the Bills take on the Chiefs. The Chicago Bears are expected to battle the Lions, as reported by Schultz, while the Philadelphia Eagles will head to Dallas to face the Cowboys, per the NFL.
All three games could have playoff implications, as two of them feature division matchups. The Chiefs and Bills might also be fighting for AFC playoff seeding, aiming for the No. 1 seed or a wild-card spot. Both of these teams, accustomed to winning their divisions, did not claim them last season, with the Denver Broncos taking the AFC West and the New England Patriots securing the AFC East. Leading those teams are standout quarterbacks Bo Nix and Drake Maye, who are looking to reclaim their divisions this season.
Chiefs vs. Bills Has Been One of the Best Stories This Decade
When people reflect on the NFL of the 2020s, they’ll remember the Chiefs clinching three Super Bowl titles, and perhaps even more. They’ll also think about all the championships the Bills could have won if it weren’t for Kansas City standing in their way.
The Bills have faced the Chiefs in four of the last six postseason matchups, yet they’ve come up short every time. Three of these encounters took place on the road, including two in the AFC title games, where they had the chance to advance to the Super Bowl.
One of the biggest negative impacts on Josh Allen’s career through his first eight seasons has been his inability to reach the Super Bowl. If it weren’t for Patrick Mahomes, who has made it to the big game five times in his first nine years, Allen might have already secured his first ring and brought the Bills their first Super Bowl title in franchise history.
The Chiefs missed the playoffs last season for various reasons, including their struggles throughout the year. Mahomes also injured his knee late in the season, further hurting their chances. On the other hand, the Bills faced disappointment after losing to the Broncos in the divisional round. Both teams are eager to get back on track this season, and their matchup on Thanksgiving could resemble the exciting games we’ve grown accustomed to seeing over the last six years, whether in the regular season or playoffs.
Hopefully, Mahomes will be ready to play by Thanksgiving, as he is recovering from a torn ACL sustained on Dec 14. Typically, such injuries take about nine months to heal, suggesting he could be ready by November. In fact, he might return even sooner — possibly by Week 1 of the season.
Report: Bills to Host Chiefs in Big-Time Holiday Clash