2022 NFL schedule: Start date, full 272-game schedule, and top games

The NFL schedule has been released. The preseason is finished. Training camps have come to an end. Now, the next step is the official start of the NFL season! Let’s take a look at all 272 games, the dates and times for every contest, and the top matchups throughout the year.

When does the 2022 NFL season start?

The 2022 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 8. Traditionally, the Super Bowl winners host the opening game. This means that in 2022, the Los Angeles Rams will begin the season against the Buffalo Bills. The 2022-2023 season spans five months, finishing on Feb. 12, 2023. Glendale, Arizona, will host Super Bowl 57 at State Farm Stadium.

2022 NFL schedule

Use the dropdown menus below to filter by team, week, or time of the day for the 2022 NFL schedule.

Top matchups in the 2022 NFL season

Week 1: Bills at Rams | TNF

The Bills come into the season with immense pressure and incredibly high expectations. They are currently the Super Bowl favorites at most sportsbooks, and the fan base will settle for nothing less than the Lombardi Trophy.

However, the Rams return a ton of talent and are healthier than they were for most of the playoffs last year. Matthew Stafford has a new weapon in Allen Robinson and the defense continues to be one of the most dominant in the NFL.

Week 4: Chiefs at Buccaneers | SNF

The Kansas City Chiefs will travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football in Week 4. This is obviously one of the marquee matchups of the week, with Tom Brady taking on Patrick Mahomes.

Again, similar to the Thursday Night Football opener, this game should see a ton of points. Even though both offenses have lost key contributors — the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill, and the Buccaneers lost Rob Gronkowski — they’ve each replenished their losses with signings like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Julio Jones, respectively.

Week 6: Bengals at Saints

The return of Joe Burrow to New Orleans is the main draw for this Week 6 matchup between the Bengals and Saints. Burrow famously led the LSU Tigers to a national championship the year before he was drafted to Cincinnati. Now, he will face off against Jameis Winston and a Saints team that could be dark-horse contenders in the NFC South.

With just the Buccaneers not facing rebuilding seasons, the South is wide open, and the injuries to Tampa Bay’s offensive line could be just enough for the Saints to be in contention coming into this Week 6 game.

Week 10: Cowboys at Packers

The Cowboys travel to Green Bay in Week 10 to take on the Packers. This game could have huge implications in what is expected to be a tight NFC East race. If Dallas has struggled in the first half of their schedule, this game will be crucial if they want to keep up with the likes of the Eagles or possibly Commanders.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are favored to handily win the NFC North with two teams (Bears and Lions) still in rebuilding mode. The Packers have been a thorn in the Cowboys’ side for years, and a Week 10 victory here could derail anything the Cowboys are trying to do in 2022.

Week 11: 49ers at Cardinals | MNF (Mexico)

The game at the Estadio Azteca could be pivotal to several elements in the NFC. There will be ramifications stretching from the NFC West to the No. 1 seed when the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals meet in Mexico. With the winner potentially being able to put themselves in pole position for the division and deal a blow to their rivals, this should be a hard-fought contest.

The 49ers have named Trey Lance as their starter, and by Week 11, we should know whether or not that was a mistake. With Jimmy G still on the roster, will we see him this far into the season?

Week 16: Broncos at Rams | Christmas Day

Russell Wilson and the Rams are no strangers to each other. However, this time Wilson will be wearing a Denver Broncos helmet, and the game will have potential effects across the entire NFL.

This could be a huge game for both of these teams as they push for playoff positions. The AFC West will be challenging and the Broncos are going to need every win that they can get. The Rams, meanwhile, are also in an incredibly tough division. One of these two teams will not be enjoying their Christmas.