The Buffalo Bills unveiled their complete 2026 NFL regular season schedule this past week. For a team that did not win the AFC East for the first time in five years, the schedule still looks fairly eventful and difficult.
There’s especially one peculiar three-game stretch at the start of the holiday season that could prove to be make-or-break because it is potentially Buffalo’s most-difficult trio of the year.
With that, here is Bills Wire’s pick for the three most-challenging games in 2026:
Week 12: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m., (Thanksgiving)
Of this span, here is Buffalo’s lone home game. While the Bills do have past success against the Chiefs during the regular season, it’s never easy. Not to mention, it’s on a short week and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ACL) should be plenty healthy by this one.
Week 13: at New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m.
The Patriots were the team that edged out Buffalo for the AFC East title in 2025. In doing so, New England beat the Bills at home and around the same time last season (Week 15).
Heading into it, Buffalo will be helped by extra rest. There still will likely be a lot riding on this challenge.
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. (SNF)
While not an AFC matchup, the Packers and rest of the NFC North look primed for another tight season in 2026. That could be the case in the AFC East, too. Add in the pressures of prime-time football? This rounds out of tough stretch for the Bills.
This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: What is the Bills’ toughest 3-game stretch on the 2026 NFL schedule?
Reporting by Nick Wojton, USA TODAY / Aberdeen News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
