History of NFL games on Wednesdays: Why 2026 Patriots vs. Seahawks opener is so rare

Wednesday NFL games are rare enough that the 2026 Patriots vs. Seahawks opener will land on a short list. The article reviews how midweek matchups were more common before 1940, but have been scarce since. It cites Sept. 22, 1948 (Lions vs. Rams), when the Rams routed Detroit 44-7 after the season began midweek, and a later gap until Sept. 5, 2012 (Cowboys vs. Giants). That 2012 date was chosen to avoid overlapping with President Barack Obama’s Democratic National Convention speech. More recently, Dec. 2, 2020 (Ravens vs. Steelers) shifted to Wednesday after multiple postponements due to COVID-19.