The Athletic Ranks 32 NFL Schedule Videos, Putting Chargers No. 1 and Cardinals 32nd
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 15
The Athletic Ranks 32 NFL Schedule Videos, Putting Chargers No. 1 and Cardinals 32nd
4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 15
Los Angeles topped The Athletic’s ranking of all 32 NFL 2026 schedule-release videos, with the Chargers’ Halo-themed entry praised for dense jokes and rapid-fire digs at opponents.
Tennessee finished No. 2 with a man-on-the-street concept, while Seattle, Indianapolis and the Giants rounded out the top five after videos built around fake fragrances, Simpsons self-mockery and Jameis Winston-led fan sketches.
San Francisco’s electrical-substation injury conspiracy became the night’s most recycled punchline, with five opponents referencing it in their own videos.
Arizona landed last after an AI-generated mascot Zoom skit that reviewers found hard to follow; Baltimore, Jacksonville, Miami and Green Bay also filled out the bottom five.
The rankings followed Thursday’s full 2026 regular-season schedule release, turning what is usually a league calendar drop into a leaguewide social-media competition.
With nine international games, is the NFL risking player welfare for global brand expansion?
Why did a debunked 49ers conspiracy theory become the schedule release's most popular joke?
As video budgets grow, are teams creating fan content or just elaborate brand advertisements?