Breaking down one must-see game in each week of the 2025 NFL season
Breaking down one must-see game in each week of the 2025 NFL season
The 2025 NFL schedule is officially available, so fans can start making plans to see their favorite teams in action.
For the more casual fans, it could be difficult to know which games you should prioritize over others. With the NFL Sunday Ticket and multiview options, it is less difficult than it used to be to keep up with multiple games throughout the season.
Despite the endless options for watching NFL games throughout the season, we wanted to give you at least one that should be circled on your calendars for each week of the 2025 NFL season. There will be plenty of games featuring the Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys, Ravens, Bills, and many more, but we kick off our list for the best games of the 2025 season in the NFC North.
Here is our list of the best games in each week of the season.
Week 1: Vikings at Bears (MNF)
Honestly, it would have been easy to pick the season opener featuring the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night or the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil based on the divisional ties. However, in light of the news that Caleb Williams initially wanted to find a way not to get drafted by the Chicago Bears and go to the Minnesota Vikings, it was hard to pass it up. This just adds another layer to the NFC North divisional rivalry.
Week 2: Eagles at Chiefs
This was a layup. As soon as this game was announced for the second week of the season, no other game will compare. After getting absolutely destroyed in the trenches by the Eagles in the biggest game of the year, how will the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes look in the highly anticipated rematch of Super Bowl LIX? This game should be closer than the 40-22 showing we received last season, or at least, let's hope it is more competitive.
Week 3: Lions at Ravens (MNF)
This matchup could be a preview of Super Bowl LX. The Lions and Ravens are two of the best teams in their respective conferences, and this could've easily been the matchup we saw last year. The Lions were the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and it's hard to ignore them after they arguably got better this past offseason. The Ravens are an annual contender with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry returning for another run at the Lombardi Trophy.
Week 4: Packers at Cowboys (SNF)
In lieu of not selecting a Ravens game on back-to-back weeks, we are going with two of the premier brands of the NFL for Week 4. These two franchises have combined for nine Super Bowl victories and have met 39 times overall. The Packers also have a 5-4 edge in the playoffs. Not to mention, these two teams gave us the "Ice Bowl." While we aren't getting Vince Lombardi against Tom Landry in this year's edition, there is a lot of history between these two teams, and we are hoping they deliver another classic at AT&T Stadium.
Week 5: Broncos at Eagles
The Eagles hold the all-time series edge with the Broncos, 9-5. They have won the last two matchups in the series, but Denver has aspirations of a Super Bowl in 2025. The last time they beat Philadelphia in the regular season, they ended their season in the biggest game of the year. It just didn't go the way they had hoped. This game will prove to be a good measuring stick against the defending world champions.
Week 6: Rams at Ravens
Talk about another matchup that could potentially end up being the draw in the Super Bowl. We know what the Ravens bring to the table. The Rams are loaded up as well, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Matthew Stafford has a new weapon with Davante Adams coming back to California, where he played at Fresno State. He joins a WR room that has Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua. Add in tight end Tyler Higbee, and you have the makings of a strong offensive unit. This game could pit one of the league's best offenses and a top defense, what more could you want?
Week 7: Patriots at Titans
This might not look like a sexy matchup on paper, but this game has some storylines to follow. Former Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel leads the Patriots into Nashville as he looks to return New England to its former glory. This game will also feature a pair of young quarterbacks who could be the faces of the NFL in the years to come. Can the Titans and Cam Ward ruin Vrabel's return to Tennessee?
Week 8: Packers at Steelers (SNF)
Everyone knows where I am going with this one. The Packers and Steelers are two historic NFL franchises, but here is the skinny on this game. This is all about Aaron Rodgers going up against his former team. While Rodgers has yet to decide whether or not he will play in 2025, I am leaning towards yes, he will suit up for Pittsburgh against his former team on SNF. If he doesn't, it is still an intriguing game in Week 8.
Week 9: Chiefs at Bills
There was only one game worth putting down in Week 9. The modern-day adaptation of the Tom Brady vs Peyton Manning quarterback rivalry features Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. The Chiefs and Bills have met eight times since the start of the 2021 season, including twice meeting in the AFC Championship game, won both times by Kansas City. Can the Bills make it five-straight regular season victories over their arch nemesis?
Week 10: Rams at 49ers
The last two NFC West champs are set to face off in Week 10. The Niners want to forget last season after they were hit with the Super Bowl hangover. The offense will once again be led by Brock Purdy and George Kittle, but what does the defense look like? The team brought Robert Saleh back to run the unit after finishing No. 29 in scoring last year.
Week 11: Lions at Eagles (SNF)
We were robbed of this matchup last year in the NFC Championship game when the Lions were knocked off by the No. 6-seeded Washington Commanders. Perhaps we would have seen a closer game to decide who would go to the Super Bowl than the 55-23 drubbing that broke out. The Lions get another shot at a deep run in the upcoming season, and this Week 11 showdown with Philadelphia could be the barometer for how far Detroit can go. For the Eagles, it is simply about getting back to the NFL Playoffs and making another run at the Lombardi Trophy.
Week 12: Bills at Texans (TNF)
The Bills and Texans were both part of the AFC Playoff field a season ago. Houston beat the Chargers to get a shot at Kansas City but ultimately fell short. The Bills played the Chiefs a bit closer but ultimately suffered the same fate as the Texans. With this late November matchup, it could be a precursor to the postseason. Not to mention, there aren't too many more entertaining quarterbacks to watch in the AFC than CJ Stroud and Josh Allen.
Week 13: Chiefs at Cowboys (Thanksgiving)
This Thanksgiving Day matchup is between the team that used to be in Dallas and the current residents. The Chiefs have taken over the spotlight with their recent success, and the Cowboys are always in the spotlight as 'America's Team.' Not to mention, Patrick Mahomes returns to his home state to play against the team he rooted for growing up. Mahomes is 1-0 against the Cowboys, he beat them 19-9 during the 2021 season.
The Cowboys-Chiefs game might just set viewership records for a non-postseason game.
Week 14: Commanders at Vikings
The Commanders and Vikings were impressive last season, and why shouldn't that be the case again this season? Minnesota will have a new quarterback under center with last year's top 10 pick, J.J. McCarthy, set to take over for the departing Sam Darnold. Sam Howell and Brett Rypien aren't expected to challenge McCarthy at the top. The Commanders return the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, at quarterback, and he has a new weapon. How will Deebo Samuel impact an offense that was already a top-five unit in the league?
Week 15: Ravens at Bengals
The AFC North is on full display in Week 15. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow give them a pair of Heisman Trophy winners going head to head. The Bengals want to get back to the Super Bowl, and to do so, they likely have to go through Baltimore. For the Bengals, the offense won't be the issue. Can the defense do better than being a bottom-10 unit next season? That's the real hindrance for Cincinnati.
Week 16: Buccaneers at Panthers
A pair of former No. 1 overall picks go head to head in the NFC South, with the Bucs heading to Charlotte for a showdown with the Panthers. Carolina was improved down the stretch, but enough to knock off the defending divisional champs? Can wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan help tip the scales in favor of a team that won just five games last year? It's a tough sell, but I could see this game meaning something if the cards are played right.
Week 17: Eagles at Bills
Two of the top teams from last year, the Bills had the No. 2 scoring offense to go with the No. 11 scoring defense. Likewise, the Eagles had the No. 7 scoring offense to go with the No. 2 scoring defense. Points could be at a premium when these two teams match up late in the season.
Week 18: Chargers at Broncos
Who doesn't love a good ole-fashioned AFC West rivalry game to close out the 2025 NFL regular season? This game could also have some AFC playoff seeding on the line. Last year, the Chargers won both regular-season matchups to snap a three-game losing streak to the Broncos. Could the snow play a factor for the home team come January for this game?
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