NFL Bye Weeks 2026: In Week 8 of the 2026 NFL regular season, four teams are off: the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. While the other 28 NFL teams battle for important wins, these four teams can use their bye week to recover and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Which NFL teams are on bye in Week 8 of 2026?

In the eighth week of the 2026 NFL season, which runs from October 29 through November 2 (U.S. game dates), the following four teams have their bye week:

• Houston Texans: 2 wins, 5 losses (2-5)
• New Orleans Saints: 2 wins, 5 losses (2-5)
• New York Giants: 4 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie (4-2-1)
• San Francisco 49ers: 6 wins, 1 loss (6-1)

The teams are in very different situations. San Francisco still has a strong record despite its first loss of the season, while Houston and New Orleans urgently need to turn things around. The New York Giants, meanwhile, head into their bye week coming off a win.

Bye Week

Vollbild

#		PCT	W	L	T	PF	PA	NET PTS	Home	Road
5	San Francisco 49ers S S S S N S S S S N	0.706	12	5	0	437	371	66	5-3-0	7-2-0
7	Houston Texans S S S S S S S S S S	0.706	12	5	0	404	295	109	7-2-0	5-3-0
25	New Orleans Saints S S S S N S S S S N	0.353	6	11	0	306	383	-77	3-5-0	3-6-0
28	New York Giants N N N S S N N N S S	0.235	4	13	0	381	439	-58	3-5-0	1-8-0

NFL Bye Week 8: How the four teams head into the break

The Houston Texans lost to the New York Giants, 27-21 in overtime, in Week 7. At 2-5, Houston is under pressure. The bye week gives the team a chance to analyze its weaknesses and make the necessary adjustments for the rest of the season.

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The New Orleans Saints also need more consistency. After a 16-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team is also 2-5. The bye week could be an important opportunity to reset, especially on offense, and prepare for the challenges ahead.

The New York Giants are in a much more positive position. Their 27-21 overtime win over the Houston Texans improved New York’s record to 4-2-1. A tough divisional matchup awaits after the break, however.

The San Francisco 49ers remain among the most successful teams so far this season, with a 6-1 record. However, San Francisco suffered its first loss of the season in Week 7, falling 29-20 to the Atlanta Falcons. The extra week to recover gives the team a chance to address its mistakes and get back to its previous level of play.

When will the four NFL teams play again after their bye week?

All four teams return to the field on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Week 9 of the NFL regular season.

• Houston Texans: Road game against the Los Angeles Chargers
• New Orleans Saints: Home game against the Cleveland Browns
• New York Giants: Road game against the Philadelphia Eagles
• San Francisco 49ers: Home game against the Las Vegas Raiders

The NFC East matchup between the Giants and Eagles should be particularly interesting. Houston and New Orleans also have important games ahead as both teams look to get back on track after the break.

Why are NFL bye weeks so important?

Bye weeks are a regular part of the NFL schedule. Each of the 32 teams plays 17 games during the 18-week regular season and gets one week off.

In 2026, bye weeks run from Week 5 through Week 14. The exception is Week 12, when all 32 NFL teams are in action.

The break allows players to recover from the physical demands of the previous weeks. Coaching staffs can also assess injuries, make tactical adjustments, and prepare their teams for the second half of the season.

Whether the extra rest gives the Texans, Saints, Giants, and 49ers an advantage remains to be seen in the coming weeks.

Frequently asked questions about the 2026 NFL bye weeks

Which teams have a bye in NFL Week 8?

Four teams are off in Week 8 of the 2026 NFL season: the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers.

How many NFL games are played in Week 8?

There are 14 games on the NFL Week 8 schedule. With four teams on bye, 28 of the 32 teams are in action.

When does the bye week end for these teams?

All four teams return in Week 9 and play their next game on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Which NFL teams are on bye in Week 9?

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans have their bye week in Week 9 of the 2026 NFL regular season.

You can find the complete overview of all 2026 NFL bye weeks on FootballR.