International Games With the Best Match-ups

The NFL is an ever-growing brand. So, as a result, it has taken over the international markets. Since 2007, the NFL has played 55 games, mostly in London. Now, the NFL International Series spans six countries across three continents. This year, the NFL will kick off the year overseas in its first matchup in Australia. Despite needing to wake up early, American fans have been treated to some great games. This year, there are nine matchups overseas, including one in a premier Bundesliga stadium.

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers (Week 1, Australia)

The NFL season officially kicks off on Wednesday, September 9 as the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks host the Super Bowl runners-up New England Patriots. On the conventional first day of the season, Thursday, the Rams and 49ers travel out to Australia for a Friday 10:35 a.m. local time kick. Time zones are weird.

Last year, the Rams and 49ers split their regular-season matchups with the away team claiming each game. This year, the 49ers lose a home game, so both are essentially away teams. Who does that favor?

The Rams have vaulted themselves into Super Bowl favorite after trading for Myles Garrett. This will be our first look at the Garrett-led Rams defense, not to mention the fact that Matthew Stafford kicks off his quest for a back-to-back MVP.

The Rams have taken four of the last five matchups against the 49ers, who won nine of the previous 10. These NFC West rivals always deliver, so kicking off the season Down Under is going to be exciting.

Baltimore Ravens vs Dallas Cowboys (Week 3, Brazil)

From a divisional matchup in Week 1 to a rare Ravens vs. Cowboys matchup. Did you know that heading into 2026, these two have only played seven times, and the Ravens have won six? 

This could be a litmus test for both the Ravens and Cowboys early in the season. Both teams have playoff aspirations, and neither has had much success when actually reaching the postseason.

Lamar Jackson is an MVP candidate each and every year, as is Dak Prescott. Both teams had defense issues last year, though the Ravens got better as the season went on. 

Of all of the NFL International Series games, this matchup in Rio de Janeiro may be one of the best of the year with some of the most star power. 

New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions (Week 10, Germany)

Finally, by this point in the year, we will know what each team will be. Last year, the Patriots broke out thanks to a weaker schedule, but at the end of the day, they still won the AFC and returned to the Super Bowl for the first time since the end of the Tom Brady era. The Lions, meanwhile, took a disappointing step back and finished 9-8 and at the bottom of the NFC North.

This will be the first time the Lions have played in Germany. New England lost in Germany back in 2023, but this will be the first time it plays in the prestigious Allianz Arena, home to the Bundesliga’s Bayern Munich.

This year, the Lions need to get back to the playoffs this year, and this will be one of the biggest hurdles. They’ll have to lean on Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown to try and break through one of the NFL’s top defenses. 

Sun God vs. Christian Gonzalez will be well worth the price of admission one way or another.