2025 NFL Schedule Release- Unmissable Games That Will Set the Season Alight
The 2025 NFL schedule release is one of the offseason's most anticipated events. While the opponents of teams are known, the announcement of game dates lets fans plan road trips and catch key matchups.
This year, NFL games span beyond Sundays, with action on Thursdays, Mondays, Fridays (including the Brazil opener) and select Saturdays.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Day games, plus international fixtures, add even more excitement. Broadcasters like CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, Amazon Prime and Netflix will feature a variety of games across platforms, making it easier than ever to follow your favorite teams. With the official dates almost here, here are 10 must-watch games for the 2025 season—excluding divisional matchups.
10. Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders
This game revives memories of last season’s dramatic finish, where Washington secured a last-second win. The rematch features top 2024 draft picks Caleb Williams for the Bears and Jayden Daniels for the Commanders. Both teams are aiming to turn the page and become postseason contenders, facing high-stakes pressure similar to the intense competition found in sweepstakes casinos in 2025.
9. Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
A compelling quarterback duel returns as Joe Burrow and Josh Allen face off once again. While the Bengals missed the playoffs recently, Burrow remains one of the league’s elite signal-callers. This contest recalls their 2022 postseason clash, when Cincinnati knocked Buffalo out of the AFC playoffs. Expect offensive fireworks and playoff intensity.
8. Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
Two of the NFL’s most complete teams meet in a rematch of the 2023 season opener, where Detroit stunned the reigning champions. Both the Lions and Chiefs finished the previous season as the top seeds in their conferences—this matchup could serve as a midseason litmus test for Super Bowl aspirations.
7. Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen has yet to secure a regular-season victory against the Eagles, holding a 0–2 record in two meetings. This game presents a rare opportunity for both teams to showcase their talents. The Eagles (fresh off a Super Bowl win) and the Bills, led by the reigning MVP, Josh Allen, are both poised for deep postseason runs. This matchup could be pivotal in shaping the playoff picture.
6. Detroit Lions at Washington Commanders
Washington’s playoff upset over Detroit last year remains fresh in memory; the Commanders dismantled the NFC’s No. 1 seed in a shocking road win. The rematch shifts to Washington, where the Lions will look to reassert their dominance and seek payback. Both teams enter the season with strong rosters and playoff ambitions.
5. Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles
Fans missed this matchup in last year’s playoffs after an unexpected turn knocked Detroit out early. The Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LIX, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 to secure their second championship in franchise history. Now, the two NFC juggernauts finally meet in a regular-season game that could preview a playoff battle later in the year.
4. Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
A controversial ending in last season’s opener—where a game-tying touchdown by Baltimore was overturned—adds spice to this anticipated rematch. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes consistently put on electrifying performances when they share the field. Kansas City and Baltimore have developed a budding rivalry that could determine AFC supremacy once again.
3. Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
This matchup revisits a narrow playoff defeat for Baltimore, decided by a dropped two-point conversion. With Josh Allen coming off an MVP season, the Bills are once again one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens aim to reclaim their edge, making this a crucial regular-season test.
2. Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Few rivalries in the NFL carry the same level of tension and familiarity as this one. Josh Allen has a strong regular-season record against Patrick Mahomes but has been unable to solve the Chiefs in the playoffs. This latest chapter will be another litmus test for both franchises—and likely a thriller.
1. Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs
After splitting their last two Super Bowl meetings, these two teams meet once again in a regular-season showdown. Their rivalry has become one of the defining storylines of the modern NFL era. With Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes leading their respective offenses and plenty of history between their coaching staffs and front offices, this promises to be the game of the year.