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The best NFL game from each week of the 2025 season

Now that the 2025-26 NFL schedule has been released, we can plan our entire fall and winter seasons around it! I’m (mostly) joking, but the regular season will be creeping up on us before we know it. There are plenty of great matchups to look forward to, so let’s examine the best one from each week.

Week 1: Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Sunday, Sept. 7th at 8:25 p.m. ET

It’s no surprise that Sunday Night Football landed the best game of the opening week. This is a rematch of last season’s AFC divisional playoff round, which Buffalo won 27-25. Both of these teams have been among the league’s best for years, but neither have been able to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl. The winner of this game will get a leg up on the postseason race right off the bat.

Honorable mention: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears on Monday, Sept. 8 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Week 2: Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, Sept. 14 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Well, this is obvious. Even though the Eagles blew out Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX, the Chiefs are still a premier team in the NFL. Add in the fact that they’ll be out for revenge and have home field advantage, this could be the caliber of contest we should have gotten last February.

Honorable mention: Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. ET

Week 3: Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. ET

The Eagles get another nod here. This will be a rematch of the snowy NFC divisional round playoff game between them and the Rams last season. These teams may be the top two in the entire NFC, and this matchup could be a preview of the NFC Championship Game.

Honorable mention: Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens on Monday, Sept. 15 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Week 4: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos
Monday, Sept. 29 at 8:15 p.m. ET

These two played in one of the more entertaining games of last season, with the Bengals coming out on top in overtime. This matchup will feature strength vs. strength as the Broncos have an elite defense and Cincinnati had the No. 1 passing attack in the league in 2024.

Honorable mention: Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Week 5: Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, Oct. 5 at 4:25 p.m. ET

This will be a matchup of two playoff teams from 2024 that could take a step forward as Super Bowl contenders. The Commanders were just one game away from the big game last year, and the Chargers are entering Year 2 with coach Jim Harbaugh, who has assembled a very complete roster.

Honorable mention: Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. ET

Week 6: Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, Oct. 12 at 8:15 p.m. ET

What’s not to love here? A matchup of two of the most exciting offenses in the NFL, as well as two great defenses. This is a potential Super Bowl preview, and a rematch from the 2023 season opener in which the Lions were put on the map with an upset win over K.C.

Honorable mention: Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Week 7: New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans
Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. ET

I won’t argue with you if you call this a stretch, but hear me out. This game will be headlined by the return of coach Mike Vrabel to Tennessee, and the Patriots are poised to take a big step forward in 2025. While the Titans may not exactly be a playoff team, I expect them to be improved as well behind first overall pick Cam Ward at quarterback.

Honorable mention: Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Week 8: Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, Oct. 26 at 8:15 p.m. ET

These are two of the most storied franchises in the NFL, and they faced off in Super Bowl XLV at the conclusion of the 2010 season. Both should be in the thick of the playoff hunt when they meet up, and could be dark horses in their respective conferences.

Honorable mention: Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
Sunday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. ET

In 2024 these two made the NFC North the first division in NFL history to feature two teams with at least 14 wins. The Lions edged out the Vikings in a thriller early in the season, and then dominated them in the Week 18 finale to secure the division title. New Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy could breathe some new life into this rivalry.

Honorable mention: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Week 10: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Sunday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. ET

These teams are not among the elite in the NFL, but the Texans are always solid and the Jaguars could be on the rise. It’s not out of the question that Jacksonville could put some pressure on Houston in the AFC South, led by 2025 No. 2 overall pick WR/CB Travis Hunter.

Honorable mention: Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. ET

Week 11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills
Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. ET

We know what we’re getting with the Bills, and the Buccaneers should be a playoff contender again in 2025. Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield are two of the most competitive QBs in the league, and could lead the way in this game being a shootout.

Honorable mention: Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Week 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, Nov. 23 at 8:15 p.m. ET

This marks back-to-back weeks for the Bucs, but for good reason. Both them and the Rams are coming off winning division titles and have explosive offenses. As the playoffs get nearer, this should be an intense matchup.

Honorable mention: Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. ET

Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys
Thursday, Nov. 27 at 4:30 p.m. ET

Sometimes the NFL phones it in with their Thanksgiving Day matchups, but not with this one. The Chiefs and Cowboys are ratings magnets, and have the rosters to back it up. Barring significant injuries, this ought to be a great game.

Honorable mention: Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 30 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
Sunday, Dec. 7 at 4:25 p.m. ET

The Bengals have been down on their luck over the past couple of years, but are still immensely talented. Joe Burrow vs. Josh Allen is as good of a QB matchup as it can get, and this game could have big playoff implications.

Honorable mention: Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8:15 p.m. ET

Week 15: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. ET

The Ravens and Bengals combined for 148 total points in their two matchups in 2024. Although Cincinnati lost on both occasions, it was only by a combined four points. These two elite offenses should continue to put on a show in 2025.

Honorable mention: Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4:25 p.m. ET

Week 16: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
Saturday, Dec. 20, time TBD

The league will name the time for this game in the weeks leading up to it. Both the Eagles and Commanders could be in the mix for the NFC East title, making this matchup absolutely crucial. Can the young Commanders overthrow the defending champs?

Honorable mention: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, on Saturday, Dec. 20, time TBD

Week 17: Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills
Sunday, Dec. 28 at 4:25 p.m. ET

I don’t mean to overload on the Eagles, but they are the defending champs, and this could easily be the Super Bowl matchup come February.

Honorable mention: Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers, date and time TBD

Week 18: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Date and time TBD

The NFC North title could very well be on the line in this matchup. Ben Johnson will be facing his former team and will have the opportunity to make his mark as one of the bright, young coaches in the NFL.

Honorable mention: Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers, date and time TBD

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Record predictions for 2025

Many members of our A to Z Sports staff wrote game-by-game predictions for their teams, taking a stab on what their 2025 records will be. Let’s check them out!

Dallas Cowboys, 9-8: “There are major question marks about the Cowboys this season, in large part thanks to a new coaching staff and many new players expected to take on large roles." —Mauricio Rodriguez

Cincinnati Bengals, 10-7: “I wanted to go with nine wins so badly, but that would be some low hanging fruit. Regardless of final record, every Bengals season prediction needs a healthy dosage of questionable losses, inspiring wins, a Week 1 head-scratcher, and a late-year winning streak. Consider those boxes checked." —John Sheeran

Las Vegas Raiders, 9-8: “This year, now that we have seen their schedule, there is a legit show the Raiders could make the postseason. Now, a lot of things have to go the right way for that to happen, but there is a way it happens. You could not have said the same thing last season, as Las Vegas was one of the worst teams in the league." —Justin Churchill

Kansas City Chiefs, 14-3: “Last year, 15-2 was enough to get the job done for Kansas City. This season, I think they fall just short of that, given the difficulty of their schedule. Dropping games to playoff teams like the Eagles and Bills isn't ideal, but it also won't be back-breaking in the grand scheme. Getting some of the tough games out of the way early in the year could be a good thing as far as the regular-season record is concerned, but I worry about how the late-season schedule will hold up and prepare the team for the playoffs." —Charles Goldman

Chicago Bears, 9-8: “Not seeing the Bears make the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season looks demoralizing but a four-win increase in the first season under Ben Johnson will be an encouraging sight. Chicago has a tough schedule and 2025 needs to be about proving they can hang with some top-level teams. These predictions show that and prove this team still needs a few pieces to the puzzle before turning into a true playoff contender." —Kole Noble

Detroit Lions, 12-5: “The Detroit Lions' 2025 schedule has been released. We now know who they're playing and when they're playing them. With that in mind, it's time to make a way too early guesstimate on what the Lions record is going to be…" —Mike Payton

Green Bay Packers, 11-6: “The regular season kicks off hot, with two tough games against the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders at home—it’s the first time since 2018 that the Packers play their regular season opener at Lambeau Field. Then, Green Bay will have nine away games and six home games for the rest of the year." —Wendell Ferreira

Minnesota Vikings, 12-5: “It's a tough schedule for the Vikings, as they have to play the entire NFC East and AFC North. The one thing the Vikings have going for them is their roster is deep. If McCarthy plays just average football, 12 wins is a likely number, but don't be surprised if there is an extra loss or two. This is a huge season for the Vikings, and it looks like it'll be a successful one." —Tyler Forness

New York Jets, 6-11: “Most sportsbooks have the Jets win total at 5.5 so my prediction has them just hitting the over. While I think there is some talent on this team, I think Aaron Glenn has forced a complete rebuild and it will take time for them to get the ship right. I don’t believe that they have a good quarterback on the roster and they aren’t starting the best one they have. Still, I believe they are good enough to surprise some teams." —Mike Antoniou

New England Patriots, 11-6: “We now know exactly when the Patriots will play their opponents in 2025, and New England has a fairly easy set of opponents this season based on strength of schedule. There are many questions, one of which is can this team truly make a push to earn a wildcard spot in the playoffs? The path won't be easy, but they are in a much better position than last year." —Sophie Weller

Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-7: “Look familiar? The truth is, I’m not as bearish on the Steelers as many of the Sportsbooks given their 8.5 win total, but I also don't believe the Steelers are true Super Bowl contenders with Aaron Rodgers, even if they want to be. For that reason, it’s another year of 10-7, but perhaps Pittsburgh gets over the hump in the playoffs.” —Rob Gregson

Philadelphia Eagles, 11-6: “A big reason for this optimism is that the Eagles have retained the majority of their Super Bowl-winning roster, preserving the core strength of the team. Additionally, their bye week is perfectly timed, allowing the Birds to rest and recover just before the intense stretch leading into the playoffs." —Kelsey Kramer

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