2025 NFL schedule release live updates: Thanksgiving, Christmas, international games and more as full schedule is announced
On Monday morning, it was revealed that the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will open their 2025 season against the Dallas Cowboys in prime time. On Wednesday, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce appeared to spoil his team's appearance in Brazil ahead of the official announcement.
Check out the full international, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day games below, and the top 10 grudge matches of the season here.
Date: Wednesday, May 14
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV channel: NFL Network | ESPNNFL players prepare for the Super Bowl. NFL social-media teams prepare for schedule release day.
What was once a straight-forward day of revealing when and where teams will be playing each week has turned into a 32-team battle royale to go viral on social media, with production values increasing every year. The competition is fierce.
Wednesday's schedule release day was no different, though some teams tried harder than others. Some teams released television parodies longer than five minutes. Some just let their players have fun. The Cincinnati Bengals pretended like they were too cool for any of it.
Here are this year's standouts.
Welcome to ATL Kart! pic.twitter.com/moDDimA2db
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 15, 2025
The three NFL teams that got the most standalone games are a curious mix.
The league leaders, at eight standalone games each (barring games being flexed): Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL's current dynasty, Washington Commanders coming off a breakthrough season with exciting young star Jayden Daniels, and the Dallas Cowboys, the league's biggest brand. A 7-10 Cowboys season didn't dissuade the league from putting it on prime time and other exclusive windows.
One proven contender, one potential contender, and a team whose popularity doesn't wane despite its record.
When the NFL puts together its regular season schedule, which was released Wednesday evening, an easy way to gauge which teams the league considers its most popular draws is by looking at standalone games: prime time games on Thursday, Sunday and Monday nights, international games, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and a late-season Saturday doubleheader for Fox (there will also be games on the Saturday of Week 17 that will be scheduled late in the season).
Some things, like the perception of the long-suffering Commanders, have changed. Other things stayed the same.
Read more here.
should we REALLY make our schedule release video in minecraft?yes yes yesyesyesyes yes yes yesyes yes yes yes yesyes yesyes yes yesyes yesye yes yesyes yes yesyes pic.twitter.com/gxk31Dql5L
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 15, 2025
One year ago at this time, it was one of the easiest games to circle on the schedule and know that as a fan of young quarterbacks, you were going to want to see it: Week 8, Chicago Bears at the Washington Commanders — pitting the No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams, against the No. 2 overall pick, Jayden Daniels.
Little did we know that game would change the trajectories of both franchises, with Daniels throwing a game-winning Hail Mary. Neither team was the same after that moment. The Commanders became a collective that believed it was never out of any game, finishing 12-5 and flying all the way into the NFC championship game. The Bears? They went into that matchup sitting at 4-2 and coming off what would be Williams' best game of the season in a 35-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. But when Daniels broke them with that Hail Mary, it triggered a 10-game losing streak that would end with the coaching staff being swept out the door.
It's time.⏰ 2025 Schedule Release pic.twitter.com/EKyCNlCk3Q
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 15, 2025
That Week 8 game is the stuff that makes the schedule release such an exciting event. It gives everyone an opportunity to circle the games that could end up making or breaking seasons. Or in the case of that Bears-Commanders tilt, provide a window into the future of two young quarterbacks.
With that in mind, here are the five 'young quarterback' games I've circled after Wednesday night's schedule release.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
The 2025 NFL Schedule Grid - all 272 regular season games🏈 pic.twitter.com/PxdINX7h4d
— Jack Andrade (@RealJackAndrade) May 15, 2025
With each new year of revamped rosters and coaching staffs, the NFL schedule offers a fresh set of chances for revenge — and a fresh set of moments when someone will go home disappointed.
Playoff rematches lure competitive hype. Discarded players eagerly await the chance to show their former employers what they still have left in the tank. Every once in a while, even a coach is happy to show their ex-team: It wasn't me — it was you.
So as the NFL reveals its full 2025 schedule Wednesday night, we present Yahoo Sports' top 10 grudge matches of the coming season. Here's where you'll want to tune in for an extra dose of drama.
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the NFC South.
🚨 OUR 50TH SEASON SCHEDULE IS HERE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/XSrodNCFCK
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) May 15, 2025
All systems go 🔥https://t.co/EO2s3OmA9T pic.twitter.com/8BZsBsypGF
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 15, 2025
The wait is finally over@MillerLite pic.twitter.com/kxYAStZO9P
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) May 15, 2025
2025 Saints Schedule 🏈#Saints | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/HEW42htFGJ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the NFC North.
For immediate release: pic.twitter.com/cXC10lLZs2
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 15, 2025
Detroit, we love you@Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/PWAZHxMTCS
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 15, 2025
Full 2025 Packers schedule: pic.twitter.com/xBsBxSBX0y
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 15, 2025
Ready for what's in front of us.#Skol🎟️: https://t.co/3vtoWqFhAT pic.twitter.com/w4R3mFTQHY
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the NFC West.
Saddle up, Faithful. It's go time.@Ticketmaster | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/p8naBCB8uA
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 15, 2025
Our official 50th Season schedule. 🚨🎟️ https://t.co/FLbcSFU4Vk | @Delta pic.twitter.com/qUZDoJ7HLt
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 15, 2025
Wondering what the hype about? Come around and find out. pic.twitter.com/gWbYHYdKsx
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 15, 2025
To whom it may concern, we will not be available on any of the following dates in 2025.🎟️ https://t.co/ScVt3PUKfb | 📺 NFLN, 5/14 5PM pic.twitter.com/34Moe7AaA6
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the NFC East.
gearin' up for game days 🤠🎟️ Limited single game tickets on sale now: https://t.co/FCzHg3KRmU#DallasCowboys | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/afFvgTFFVY
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 15, 2025
It's (officially) here. Our 2025 Schedule‼️@Ticketmaster | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/w51YkEg4Xn
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 15, 2025
Repeat after us: Anybody, Anywhere, Anytime🎟️ https://t.co/aSQQqWGJdw | @SeatGeek | 📺 @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/twythO5lXt
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 15, 2025
OUR 2025 SCHEDULE!! pic.twitter.com/cWi1YX4jGt
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the AFC North.
OUR 2025 SCHEDULE‼️ @laurelhighlands 📝: https://t.co/aWstINO7Iy pic.twitter.com/zAx1k5pFuw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 15, 2025
your fall/winter plans have been madebuy 🎟️ now » https://t.co/srtwKwIuVo pic.twitter.com/Z0wsyQpkBQ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 15, 2025
The 2025 schedule is available upon request.🎟: https://t.co/nazkH256vZ pic.twitter.com/B3mFgoRw4G
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 15, 2025
Stripes. Camera. Action. 🎬#WhoDey | 🎟️: https://t.co/KeJFObdbEs pic.twitter.com/sRjjjfXZZW
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the AFC East.
𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄‼️https://t.co/v8vL05zdhf | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/F77HDrBOlt
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 15, 2025
Your 2025 Jets schedule 👏See you at MetLife ➡️ https://t.co/rxJ1DzR53i pic.twitter.com/ITMt5uZkES
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 15, 2025
For Immediate Release pic.twitter.com/bcxYRZE2da
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 15, 2025
No spirit can outlast the one that's building beneath the surface.Our 2025 schedule is here 🐬😤 pic.twitter.com/QDkteHcGQi
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the AFC South.
GET READY FOR THE SHOW 🍿 pic.twitter.com/hRVqP1CIjq
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 15, 2025
The 2025 Tennessee Titans Schedule presented by @SeatGeek‼️Get your tickets NOW » https://t.co/WSm93J9Lw5 pic.twitter.com/g86wkQtKIQ
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) May 15, 2025
You can lie, but your routine won't.@Dream_Finders | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/1peAVNH0iL
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) May 15, 2025
Our 2025 schedule. 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/4msGs3MChX
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 15, 2025
While it was already known the Chargers were playing in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday, Sept. 5, the opponent hadn't been officially announced.
Now we know: it's Chiefs vs. Chargers in an AFC West battle, streamed on YouTube.
free. on. youtube. pic.twitter.com/wtVLSih6As
— YouTube (@YouTube) May 14, 2025
How is each NFL team's 17-game schedule put together?
It takes a complicated formula that incorporates division opponents, matchups against another in-conference division, additional games against an out-of-conference division and then in-conference and inter-conference opponents determined by that team's record.
The NFL showed its work in a quick clip on social media:
An in-depth analysis of how the NFL schedule is created 🔥📺: NFL Schedule Release — TONIGHT 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN2📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/FHNYqQq17Z
— NFL (@NFL) May 14, 2025
The Chargers stand out every year for their anime-based schedule release videos. But many fans still point to two years ago and the Tennessee Titans' video in which they showed NFL logos to people visiting downtown Nashville and walking along Broadway as the standard.
Note: This clip is from 2023 and is not the Titans' schedule release for 2025.
We asked people on Broadway to help us with our 2023 schedule release. 🤣📺: 2023 Schedule Release on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/31LsUUDn3O
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) May 12, 2023
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell got into the Christmas spirit to announce Netflix's two Christmas Day games, donning a Santa Claus suit at the streamer's upfronts presentation.
No beard or hat, though, which could call the commish's commitment to the bit into question.
NFL chief Roger Goodell dons a silly Santa suit to announce Netflix's Xmas games, Cowboys-Commanders and Lions-Vikings. pic.twitter.com/42Wrpeg3aR
— Gary Levin (@GaryMLevin) May 14, 2025
For the second straight year, the league will hold multiple Christmas Day matchups. Netflix will exclusively stream Cowboys at Commanders and Vikings and Lions, followed by the previously announced Broncos at Chiefs game on Amazon Prime.
Here's an early Christmas gift: the NFL is LIVE on Netflix!Thursday December 25 Cowboys vs. Commanders at 1 PM ET Lions vs. Vikings at 4:30 PM ET pic.twitter.com/DjhnV3yAfA
— Netflix (@netflix) May 14, 2025
The NFL's annual schedule release is fun because everyone wants to see key matchups or maybe a road trip for their favorite teams.
When teams play certain opponents matters, but probably not as much as the strength of schedule itself.
The NFL doesn't have a balanced schedule and some teams will benefit from having an easier path. The Washington Commanders had the second-easiest schedule in the NFL last season. They went 12-5, piling up 11 wins over teams that did not make the playoffs last season. Washington had a fun, tremendous season, but it obviously benefited from the schedule. The schedule gets tougher this season for the Commanders.
The San Francisco 49ers had the opposite experience. They had the toughest schedule last season. There were many reasons, such as injuries, the 49ers went 6-11. But the NFL's hardest schedule was a factor too. Of the teams with the six-toughest schedules last season — 49ers, Bears, Giants, Raiders, Browns and Cardinals — none made the playoffs. The schedule gets much, much easier for the 49ers this season.
Trying to predict strength of schedule is inexact. Teams have changed since last season and will be better or worse than expected once the season starts. But here is the strength of schedule for the 2025 season, based on the total win percentage of their opponents in 2024:
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is taking on a new role ahead of the 2025 NFL season: Breaking-news reporter. For his first major scoop, Kelce revealed where the Chiefs would open the regular season.
Kelce confirmed the Chiefs will play against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil in Week 1. He made the announcement on the "New Heights" podcast, though may have jumped the gun in putting the news out there.
Early in the episode, Travis and his brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, were talking about rumors the Chiefs were opening the season in Brazil. Travis was careful to talk around the issue initially, but finally stopped the charade.
"This doesn't come out until Wednesday?" Kelce asked. "Yeah, we're definitely playing in Brazil. I also heard those rumors."
Travis' comment drew laughs from everyone in the studio.
He then went into more detail on playing in Brazil, and it doesn't sound like he's super pumped about the idea.
"I'll be there playing football in the f***ing heat." He continued, "There's just something about getting closer to the equator that I don't want to put on a football uniform doing that. I've been in Jacksonville in September and that's f***ing miserable."
He later added, "If it's humid, I'm going to be miserable."
NFL players prepare for the Super Bowl. NFL social-media teams prepare for schedule release day.
What was once a straight-forward day of revealing when and where teams will be playing each week has turned into a 32-team battle royale to go viral on social media, with production values increasing every year. The competition is fierce.
Wednesday's schedule release day was no different, though some teams tried harder than others. Some teams released television parodies longer than five minutes. Some just let their players have fun. The Cincinnati Bengals pretended like they were too cool for any of it.
Here are this year's standouts.
Welcome to ATL Kart! pic.twitter.com/moDDimA2db
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 15, 2025
The three NFL teams that got the most standalone games are a curious mix.
The league leaders, at eight standalone games each (barring games being flexed): Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL's current dynasty, Washington Commanders coming off a breakthrough season with exciting young star Jayden Daniels, and the Dallas Cowboys, the league's biggest brand. A 7-10 Cowboys season didn't dissuade the league from putting it on prime time and other exclusive windows.
One proven contender, one potential contender, and a team whose popularity doesn't wane despite its record.
When the NFL puts together its regular season schedule, which was released Wednesday evening, an easy way to gauge which teams the league considers its most popular draws is by looking at standalone games: prime time games on Thursday, Sunday and Monday nights, international games, holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and a late-season Saturday doubleheader for Fox (there will also be games on the Saturday of Week 17 that will be scheduled late in the season).
Some things, like the perception of the long-suffering Commanders, have changed. Other things stayed the same.
Read more here.
should we REALLY make our schedule release video in minecraft?yes yes yesyesyesyes yes yes yesyes yes yes yes yesyes yesyes yes yesyes yesye yes yesyes yes yesyes pic.twitter.com/gxk31Dql5L
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 15, 2025
One year ago at this time, it was one of the easiest games to circle on the schedule and know that as a fan of young quarterbacks, you were going to want to see it: Week 8, Chicago Bears at the Washington Commanders — pitting the No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams, against the No. 2 overall pick, Jayden Daniels.
Little did we know that game would change the trajectories of both franchises, with Daniels throwing a game-winning Hail Mary. Neither team was the same after that moment. The Commanders became a collective that believed it was never out of any game, finishing 12-5 and flying all the way into the NFC championship game. The Bears? They went into that matchup sitting at 4-2 and coming off what would be Williams' best game of the season in a 35-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. But when Daniels broke them with that Hail Mary, it triggered a 10-game losing streak that would end with the coaching staff being swept out the door.
It's time.⏰ 2025 Schedule Release pic.twitter.com/EKyCNlCk3Q
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 15, 2025
That Week 8 game is the stuff that makes the schedule release such an exciting event. It gives everyone an opportunity to circle the games that could end up making or breaking seasons. Or in the case of that Bears-Commanders tilt, provide a window into the future of two young quarterbacks.
With that in mind, here are the five 'young quarterback' games I've circled after Wednesday night's schedule release.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
The 2025 NFL Schedule Grid - all 272 regular season games🏈 pic.twitter.com/PxdINX7h4d
— Jack Andrade (@RealJackAndrade) May 15, 2025
With each new year of revamped rosters and coaching staffs, the NFL schedule offers a fresh set of chances for revenge — and a fresh set of moments when someone will go home disappointed.
Playoff rematches lure competitive hype. Discarded players eagerly await the chance to show their former employers what they still have left in the tank. Every once in a while, even a coach is happy to show their ex-team: It wasn't me — it was you.
So as the NFL reveals its full 2025 schedule Wednesday night, we present Yahoo Sports' top 10 grudge matches of the coming season. Here's where you'll want to tune in for an extra dose of drama.
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the NFC South.
🚨 OUR 50TH SEASON SCHEDULE IS HERE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/XSrodNCFCK
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) May 15, 2025
All systems go 🔥https://t.co/EO2s3OmA9T pic.twitter.com/8BZsBsypGF
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 15, 2025
The wait is finally over@MillerLite pic.twitter.com/kxYAStZO9P
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) May 15, 2025
2025 Saints Schedule 🏈#Saints | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/HEW42htFGJ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the NFC North.
For immediate release: pic.twitter.com/cXC10lLZs2
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 15, 2025
Detroit, we love you@Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/PWAZHxMTCS
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 15, 2025
Full 2025 Packers schedule: pic.twitter.com/xBsBxSBX0y
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 15, 2025
Ready for what's in front of us.#Skol🎟️: https://t.co/3vtoWqFhAT pic.twitter.com/w4R3mFTQHY
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the NFC West.
Saddle up, Faithful. It's go time.@Ticketmaster | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/p8naBCB8uA
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 15, 2025
Our official 50th Season schedule. 🚨🎟️ https://t.co/FLbcSFU4Vk | @Delta pic.twitter.com/qUZDoJ7HLt
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 15, 2025
Wondering what the hype about? Come around and find out. pic.twitter.com/gWbYHYdKsx
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) May 15, 2025
To whom it may concern, we will not be available on any of the following dates in 2025.🎟️ https://t.co/ScVt3PUKfb | 📺 NFLN, 5/14 5PM pic.twitter.com/34Moe7AaA6
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the NFC East.
gearin' up for game days 🤠🎟️ Limited single game tickets on sale now: https://t.co/FCzHg3KRmU#DallasCowboys | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/afFvgTFFVY
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 15, 2025
It's (officially) here. Our 2025 Schedule‼️@Ticketmaster | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/w51YkEg4Xn
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 15, 2025
Repeat after us: Anybody, Anywhere, Anytime🎟️ https://t.co/aSQQqWGJdw | @SeatGeek | 📺 @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/twythO5lXt
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 15, 2025
OUR 2025 SCHEDULE!! pic.twitter.com/cWi1YX4jGt
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the AFC North.
OUR 2025 SCHEDULE‼️ @laurelhighlands 📝: https://t.co/aWstINO7Iy pic.twitter.com/zAx1k5pFuw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 15, 2025
your fall/winter plans have been madebuy 🎟️ now » https://t.co/srtwKwIuVo pic.twitter.com/Z0wsyQpkBQ
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 15, 2025
The 2025 schedule is available upon request.🎟: https://t.co/nazkH256vZ pic.twitter.com/B3mFgoRw4G
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 15, 2025
Stripes. Camera. Action. 🎬#WhoDey | 🎟️: https://t.co/KeJFObdbEs pic.twitter.com/sRjjjfXZZW
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the AFC East.
𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄‼️https://t.co/v8vL05zdhf | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/F77HDrBOlt
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 15, 2025
Your 2025 Jets schedule 👏See you at MetLife ➡️ https://t.co/rxJ1DzR53i pic.twitter.com/ITMt5uZkES
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 15, 2025
For Immediate Release pic.twitter.com/bcxYRZE2da
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 15, 2025
No spirit can outlast the one that's building beneath the surface.Our 2025 schedule is here 🐬😤 pic.twitter.com/QDkteHcGQi
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 15, 2025
Here's a look at the full 2025 season schedule for each team in the AFC South.
GET READY FOR THE SHOW 🍿 pic.twitter.com/hRVqP1CIjq
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 15, 2025
The 2025 Tennessee Titans Schedule presented by @SeatGeek‼️Get your tickets NOW » https://t.co/WSm93J9Lw5 pic.twitter.com/g86wkQtKIQ
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) May 15, 2025
You can lie, but your routine won't.@Dream_Finders | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/1peAVNH0iL
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) May 15, 2025
Our 2025 schedule. 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/4msGs3MChX
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 15, 2025
While it was already known the Chargers were playing in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday, Sept. 5, the opponent hadn't been officially announced.
Now we know: it's Chiefs vs. Chargers in an AFC West battle, streamed on YouTube.
free. on. youtube. pic.twitter.com/wtVLSih6As
— YouTube (@YouTube) May 14, 2025
How is each NFL team's 17-game schedule put together?
It takes a complicated formula that incorporates division opponents, matchups against another in-conference division, additional games against an out-of-conference division and then in-conference and inter-conference opponents determined by that team's record.
The NFL showed its work in a quick clip on social media:
An in-depth analysis of how the NFL schedule is created 🔥📺: NFL Schedule Release — TONIGHT 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN2📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/FHNYqQq17Z
— NFL (@NFL) May 14, 2025
The Chargers stand out every year for their anime-based schedule release videos. But many fans still point to two years ago and the Tennessee Titans' video in which they showed NFL logos to people visiting downtown Nashville and walking along Broadway as the standard.
Note: This clip is from 2023 and is not the Titans' schedule release for 2025.
We asked people on Broadway to help us with our 2023 schedule release. 🤣📺: 2023 Schedule Release on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/31LsUUDn3O
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) May 12, 2023
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell got into the Christmas spirit to announce Netflix's two Christmas Day games, donning a Santa Claus suit at the streamer's upfronts presentation.
No beard or hat, though, which could call the commish's commitment to the bit into question.
NFL chief Roger Goodell dons a silly Santa suit to announce Netflix's Xmas games, Cowboys-Commanders and Lions-Vikings. pic.twitter.com/42Wrpeg3aR
— Gary Levin (@GaryMLevin) May 14, 2025
For the second straight year, the league will hold multiple Christmas Day matchups. Netflix will exclusively stream Cowboys at Commanders and Vikings and Lions, followed by the previously announced Broncos at Chiefs game on Amazon Prime.
Here's an early Christmas gift: the NFL is LIVE on Netflix!Thursday December 25 Cowboys vs. Commanders at 1 PM ET Lions vs. Vikings at 4:30 PM ET pic.twitter.com/DjhnV3yAfA
— Netflix (@netflix) May 14, 2025
The NFL's annual schedule release is fun because everyone wants to see key matchups or maybe a road trip for their favorite teams.
When teams play certain opponents matters, but probably not as much as the strength of schedule itself.
The NFL doesn't have a balanced schedule and some teams will benefit from having an easier path. The Washington Commanders had the second-easiest schedule in the NFL last season. They went 12-5, piling up 11 wins over teams that did not make the playoffs last season. Washington had a fun, tremendous season, but it obviously benefited from the schedule. The schedule gets tougher this season for the Commanders.
The San Francisco 49ers had the opposite experience. They had the toughest schedule last season. There were many reasons, such as injuries, the 49ers went 6-11. But the NFL's hardest schedule was a factor too. Of the teams with the six-toughest schedules last season — 49ers, Bears, Giants, Raiders, Browns and Cardinals — none made the playoffs. The schedule gets much, much easier for the 49ers this season.
Trying to predict strength of schedule is inexact. Teams have changed since last season and will be better or worse than expected once the season starts. But here is the strength of schedule for the 2025 season, based on the total win percentage of their opponents in 2024:
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is taking on a new role ahead of the 2025 NFL season: Breaking-news reporter. For his first major scoop, Kelce revealed where the Chiefs would open the regular season.
Kelce confirmed the Chiefs will play against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil in Week 1. He made the announcement on the "New Heights" podcast, though may have jumped the gun in putting the news out there.
Early in the episode, Travis and his brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, were talking about rumors the Chiefs were opening the season in Brazil. Travis was careful to talk around the issue initially, but finally stopped the charade.
"This doesn't come out until Wednesday?" Kelce asked. "Yeah, we're definitely playing in Brazil. I also heard those rumors."
Travis' comment drew laughs from everyone in the studio.
He then went into more detail on playing in Brazil, and it doesn't sound like he's super pumped about the idea.
"I'll be there playing football in the f***ing heat." He continued, "There's just something about getting closer to the equator that I don't want to put on a football uniform doing that. I've been in Jacksonville in September and that's f***ing miserable."
He later added, "If it's humid, I'm going to be miserable."
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NBC Sports
13 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Fantasy Football 2025: Lean into ambiguous backfield situations with Commanders, Giants, others
You like certainty. I like certainty. We all love certainty. That search for certainty translates to fantasy football in one particular, predictable way: We want running backs who are guaranteed a decent weekly workload. We don't want to guess whether a running back will see eight touches or twelve or sixteen or none at all. We want to know. So we gravitate toward backfields that offer us at least some certainty. We take the backs who have the primary back job locked down. We turn up our noses at the uncertainty of backfields that may or may not feature one guy, or maybe split the workload between two guys, or worse yet, do the three-headed backfield monster thing -- the stuff of nightmares for those who like to pretend they can predict the future. But ambiguity creates opportunity. You're not the only one who doesn't know which running back might get the lead back role in a backfield without a clear RB1. No one knows. Those who grind news every day on and read NFL beat writer reports and maybe pay attention to preseason playing time might have a slightly better idea as to who is most likely to function as a lead back, but there are backfields with no clear answer. That's OK. In fact, it's good. That's how we get extraordinary value in the middle and late rounds: Making small bets on running backs who have the profile and -- in the right circumstances — the opportunity to become every-week fantasy starters. Look to 2024 as an example: Tampa Bay's backfield was highly ambiguous going into the regular season and delivered league-winner Bucky Irving. Chuba Hubbard emerged from a muddled Carolina backfield to be (very) useful in the final six weeks of the fantasy season. Tony Pollard functioned as something close to an RB1 when he had the backfield to himself. Rico Dowdle did the same. Chase Brown went from a backfield split to backfield dominance. It happens every year. Below are some thoughts on backfields with various degrees of ambiguity headed into 2025. I'm hammering a lot of these backs in best ball and redraft leagues. Dismiss your burning desire for certainty and come with me. Get personalized fantasy football insights based on your league settings with FantasyLife+. Your league is unique, your advice should be too. Head to and use code ROTO20 for 20% off. Washington Commanders I talked to Commanders beat writer Ben Standig about the team's backfield, and the first thing he told me was to 'ignore the depth chart,' which lists Brian Robinson as RB1, Austin Ekeler as RB2, Jeremy McNichols as RB3, Chris Rodriguez as RB4, and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt as RB5. It's a bleak look for fantasy writers who have touted Croskey-Merritt this summer. 'For all we know a PR intern cobbled that depth chart together,' said Standig, who hosts the Last Man Standig podcast. Croskey-Merrit, who goes by Bill for some reason, 'is making the roster and pushing for a role. The explosive one-cut ability is a welcomed element. With Jayden Daniels, good luck defending read options. He showed good form as a pass catcher capable of making defenders miss in space on the preseason opener. Take Bill as a late-round flyer with RB1 upside. Not sure if that's Week 1 or 7 or whenever, but the possibility is legit.' Croskey-Merrit in the Commanders' preseason opener against the Patriots had 24 yards on seven rushes and caught his lone target for eight yards. His playing time suggests he has a way to go before he's challenging Robinson for the RB1 role. That's the way it goes for rookies though. Standing said within the organization there is 'a sense that the staff sought more explosive plays out of the backfield,' which might explain why the team drafted JCM. 'Robinson is a physical back who excels in short-yardage situations, but busting out 20-plus yard gains isn't his thing. He's the early-down back until he's not.' On Ekeler's role in the Washington backfield, Standing said: 'Less is more with his workload after suffering two concussions last season. When he played, Ekeler showed he still had plenty of wiggle with the ball in his hands. His role is the safest in the RB room.' Robinson is fine. He's reliable and will get you four yards, whether you need four yards and seven yards. He ranks 31st in EPA per rush over the past two seasons, in the Dowdle/Pollard/Kamara range. That checks out. If Commanders coaches are truly interested in a more explosive back, JCM could get a real crack at the primary back job even if Robinson doesn't miss time with injury. Stash Bill in 12-team leagues and see what happens. New York Giants 'The thing you need to know about Cam Skattebo,' Giants beat writer Pat Leonard told me when I bugged him about the team's backfield situation, 'is that Brian Daboll loves the guy.' Skattebo, taken in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, was reportedly excelling in offseason practices and training camp before a hamstring injury sidelined him. It was shortly after Daboll announced the hamstring injury that ESPN's Jordan Raanan — a longtime Giants beat — declared the backfield competition between Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. over. There never was much of a competition, Raanan said, and the backfield now belonged '100 percent' to Tracy, the second year back who had fumbling and drop and pass protection issues in 2024. Leonard, host of the Talkin' Ball YouTube show, was less sure about the fate of the New York backfield. Missing critical training camp practices will hurt Skattebo's chances of securing a decent role early in the season, Leonard said, but fantasy folks should't discount the rookie as a pass catcher and possible goal line back in the Giants offense when he's healthy and up to speed. Daboll, according to Leonard, wants a tougher, more grinding running attack in 2025. That could benefit Skattebo, who Leonard described as 'compact and explosive' in offseason practices and early in training camp. That the team is being careful not to rush back the rookie from his hamstring issue suggests they want him fully healthy and ready to take on a role in the team's backfield come September, Leonard told me. 'My feeling is that this is a situation where they're going to try their best to not risk his availability for the regular season,' he said. 'You're still probably looking at a longer onboarding for [Skattebo] compared to if he had been healthy throughout August.' Skattebo, one of college football's most efficient rushers and running back pass catchers in 2024, is a sensible bench stash as his ADP slides, and as Tracy's ADP climbs. That might look silly come midseason. Rotoworld Staff, Pittsburgh Steelers Every headline is telling fantasy managers to hold their nose and take Jaylen Warren at his depressed ADP. It's depressed for a reason: Warren was hurt and generally bad in 2024, and the Steelers did a very Steelers thing and took a big back — Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa — for no particular reason in the 2025 NFL Draft. Johnson's offseason has been mildly disastrous. He admitted in May that he's always had problems with pass protection, and that he planned on getting tips from Warren, one of the game's best blocking backs. That was followed by several reports that Steelers coaches were concerned about Johnson's ability to protect the quarterback, in this case elder millennial Aaron Rodgers. Then we got reports this week that Rodgers dressed down Johnson for running an incorrect route out of the backfield during practice. This was reportedly a full-blown scolding of Johnson by the league's oldest player. And we all know that any offense quarterbacked by Aaron Rodgers is an Aaron Rodgers offense. He's going to decide who plays and does not play. He's going to decide who deserves the ball and who does not. Right now, that would appear to be anyone but Johnson. Latter-day Rodgers has been much more amenable to checking down to running backs than he was during his prime years in Green Bay. Rodgers in 2024 had the third most passes to players out of the backfield, trailing only Bo Nix and Jared Goff. Only six QBs had more passing yards per game than Rodgers when targeting running backs. That should be quite the boon for Warren, an efficient pass catcher. In any case, Johnson — who had 29 receptions over three seasons at Iowa — will get zero passing game work in the Pittsburgh offense. That belongs to Warren. I wouldn't be surprised if Kenneth Gainwell, a favorite of Mike Tomlin, gets snaps and carries over Johnson to start the season. Warren, I think, is a screaming value in the RB30-33 range. Jacksonville Jaguars Every analytics nerd's favorite running back, Bayshul Tuten, is gaining real steam in best ball drafts and in redraft leagues with plenty of savvy managers. Tuten — a favorite of new Jagurs GM James Gladstone — will be a (very) late-round pick in what we might call normie leagues this month. Tuten appears to be behind Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby in the Jacksonville backfield pecking order. The rookie played well behind both veterans in the team's first preseason game. He acquitted himself well in that game, riushing for 24 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and catching both of his targets for 16 yards. Tuten averaged a gaudy four yards after contact per rush, something he did frequently at Virginia Tech. Jaguars head coach Liam Coen seemed altogether pleased with the rookie's performance against the Steelers. 'I thought he ran it pretty well, actually,' Coen said of Tuten. 'From a physicality standpoint, if you're going to take the positive from the other night, was on both sides of the ball was physical. We stopped the run and we ran it okay, but we ran it when we kind of needed to--it became a little bit more of a throw game. But I thought he did some nice things. He was able to make some guys miss in the hole. He ran hard, he had good ball security, so I was pleased with Tuten.' Etienne played with the Jaguars starters in the team's first preseason outing. That he's been bad for two years might not matter yet (he ranks 45th ouf of 50 qualifying running backs in EPA per rush since the start of 2023). A slow start to the regular season could see Etienne's RB1 role erode into something much uglier though. Tuten, who had 50 receptions over two seasons with Virginia Tech, would likely get a chance to be The Guy in such a scenario. Drafting Tuten and betting against Etienne is the way I'm playing the Jaguars' somewhat ambiguous backfield. Matthew Berry and the Fantasy Football Happy Hour crew give their deep sleepers for the 2025 season, naming Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer.
USA Today
14 minutes ago
- USA Today
Texans Pro Bowl WR Nico Collins debuts at No. 32 on NFL Top 100 list
No. 32: @HoustonTexans WR Nico Collins Come on down, Nico Collins. You're joining C.J. Stroud, Joe Mixon and Will Anderson in the NFL's Top 100. Collins, who posted his second 1,000-yard season in 2024 en route to helping the Houston Texans secure their second straight AFC South division title, appeared at No. 32 in the NFL's Top 100 list, a a poll of the league's players that ranks the 100 best players across the sport. The fifth-year Pro Bowl pass-catcher is the fourth Houston player in the No. 100-31 spots in the top 100, joining Stroud (No. 39), Anderson (No. 46) and Mixon (No. 58). "Collins was one of the few Texans offensive players who lived up to the massive weight of expectations last season," NFL Network's Bobby Kownack wrote. "He surged out of the gates with three 100-yard receiving performances in his first five games. He likely would've made it four, too, considering he already had 78 yards on two catches at the time of his Week 5 hamstring injury. Although Collins wasn't quite as prolific upon his return in Week 11 and beyond, he remained one of the league's preeminent deep threats and C.J. Stroud's surest bet at success -- descriptions likely to fit him again this year amid a remade WR room in Houston." Before a hamstring injury sidelined him for five games, Collins was on pace to be the league's top receiver, averaging 124.6 yards per game as Stroud's No. 1 weapon. His five-game hiatus slowed down the offensive personnel and led to regression in the passing game. Overall, Collins finished with 68 receptions for 1,006 yards while averaging 14.8 yards per catch. Entering this fall, the expectation is for him to pick up where he left off while Houston takes another run toward the AFC conference championship.
Associated Press
15 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter sits out practice 'as a precaution' with an upper-body injury
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars two-way star Travis Hunter was held out of the team's light practice Friday 'as a precaution' because of an upper-body injury. When asked whether Hunter would play in the team's preseason game at New Orleans on Sunday, coach Liam Coen added 'we don't know yet.' Hunter was on the field for the hourlong session and carried a play-calling sheet while following the action closely. 'That's what they're supposed to do when they're hurt,' Coen said. 'We want them to make sure that they're locked in, getting all the calls, understanding the call and being able to watch and execute it as well in their minds.' Hunter played on offense and defense, totaling 18 snaps, in Jacksonville's preseason opener against Pittsburgh last Saturday. The Heisman Trophy winner also played both ways during a scrimmage Thursday and crashed hard to the ground while defending a deep pass. Hunter was one of 10 players held out of Jacksonville's practice because of injury, joining right guard Chuma Edoga, right tackle Anton Harrison, defensive lineman Arik Armstead, defensive lineman Maason Smith, offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen, safety Caleb Ransaw, linebacker Jalen McLeod and cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Montaric Brown. It's unclear if any of them will play against the Saints, leaving Coen with a tough decision to make regarding playing starters in the second exhibition. 'There's a chance,' he said. 'We got to go get this injury report and make sure because I don't really want to do too many, 'You're playing, you're not playing,' that kind of deal. 'If we are putting (QB Trevor Lawrence out there), we got to make sure we're protected and we have the right guys in front. Same with the runners, things like that. Just making sure that we're not putting people in vulnerable spots because we are injured.' ___ AP NFL:
