The 2025-26 NFL schedule has officially been released, giving teams and fans a look at what the upcoming year will bring.
Key games are often backloaded, especially for teams expected to be in the playoff mix. While every team knows its opponents ahead of time, the order of games plays a big role in how a season unfolds.
We’re going through all 32 teams and picking one key game for each — no repeats — that could carry major stakes in the 2025 season.
Arizona Cardinals: Week 10 vs. Seahawks; Sunday, Nov. 9
The Cardinals were competitive in 2024 but finished 3-5 in one-score games. With key additions like Josh Sweat, Calais Campbell, Dalvin Tomlinson, Walter Nolen, and Will Johnson, the defense should be much more efficient in 2025.
If Arizona can improve on its 8-9 record, division games will be crucial to staying in the playoff mix and challenging for the NFC West title. The Seahawks should be right in the thick of the Wild Card race.
Atlanta Falcons: Week 1 vs. Buccaneers; Sunday, Sept. 7
Unless something unexpected happens, Michael Penix Jr. is expected to start at quarterback for the Falcons in Week 1.
If he does, there will be plenty of attention on Atlanta, especially after the team’s hot start and late-season collapse under Kirk Cousins in 2024. Kicking off strong against a talented divisional rival like Tampa Bay will be a big early test.
Baltimore Ravens: Week 15 @ Bengals; Sunday, Dec. 14
The Ravens enter 2025 as one of the top teams in the league, and they’ll likely be battling for playoff seeding well into December.
Their Week 15 road game against the Bengals is a big late-season divisional matchup. Beating a playoff-caliber team like Cincinnati on the road could go a long way toward securing the AFC North.
Buffalo Bills: Week 9 vs. Chiefs; Sunday, Nov. 2
Four of Buffalo’s last five seasons have ended with a postseason loss to Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have been a serious roadblock for the Bills.
A regular-season win over Kansas City wouldn’t erase those playoff heartbreaks, but it could give the Bills momentum down the stretch — assuming they reach the postseason for the seventh straight year.
Carolina Panthers: Week 9 @ Packers; Sunday, Nov. 2
The Panthers started slow in 2024 but showed promise with Bryce Young and two wins in the final three weeks.
Green Bay has consistently been in the NFC mix under Matt LaFleur. A road matchup at Lambeau Field gives Carolina a legit chance to see how it stacks up against a top-tier conference team.
Chicago Bears: Week 17 @ 49ers; Sunday, Dec. 28
While Week 18 vs. the Lions will draw attention, Chicago’s trip to San Francisco in Week 17 could carry massive weight.
The 49ers have been one of the league’s best when healthy, though they lost several key pieces this offseason and are coming off an injury-riddled 2024. With Kyle Shanahan still in charge, they’ll remain tough — making this a huge late-season road challenge for the Bears.
Cincinnati Bengals: Week 16 @ Dolphins; Sunday, Dec. 21
The Bengals kept their offensive core intact and are gunning for another Super Bowl run.
Traveling from cold-weather Cincinnati to Miami in late December is always tricky. If both teams are still in the hunt, this game could be a turning point for either playoff push.
Cleveland Browns: Week 10 @ Jets; Sunday, Nov. 9
Expectations for Cleveland in 2025 are low, so the focus will be on progress, especially with two first-round picks in 2026.
After a Week 9 bye, the Browns get a winnable matchup on the road against a Jets team expected to hover around .500.
Dallas Cowboys: Week 9 vs. Cardinals; Monday, Nov. 3
With the Commanders and Eagles in the NFC East, the Cowboys may be looking at the Wild Card route in 2025.
Arizona’s roster looks improved after an 8-9 finish last year, so this is a big-time matchup between playoff hopefuls. A win could go a long way for Dallas in tight standings.
Denver Broncos: Week 11 vs. Chiefs; Sunday, Nov. 16
Denver shocked plenty of people in 2024, making the playoffs with Bo Nix starting as a rookie.
The Broncos haven’t won the AFC West since 2015, which also happens to be the last time anyone other than Kansas City took the division. Beating the Chiefs would be a massive statement in their quest to keep climbing.
Detroit Lions: Week 10 @ Commanders; Sunday, Nov. 9
With Dan Campbell still leading the way and a talented roster behind him, the Lions are poised to stay on top of the NFC North despite some staff turnover.
Their exact playoff seeding remains unclear, but a win over the Commanders, who knocked them out in the divisional round last year, would offer both revenge and a leg up in the NFC standings.
Green Bay Packers: Week 14 vs. Bears; Sunday, Dec. 7
For the first time since 2015, the Bears beat the Packers at Lambeau Field, breaking a long-standing trend in the rivalry.
Green Bay will have a shot at payback late in the season. While history favors the Packers, the Bears made big strides this offseason — setting up what could be another tightly contested showdown.
Houston Texans: Week 14 @ Chiefs; Sunday, Dec. 7
Even if the Texans may have taken a step back this offseason, they’re still favored to win the AFC South.
Beating the Chiefs in Kansas City would send a major message that Houston belongs among the elite in the AFC.
Indianapolis Colts: Week 1 vs. Dolphins; Sunday, Sept. 7
Bringing in Daniel Jones signals that the Colts are raising the pressure on Anthony Richardson heading into a pivotal third year.
The Dolphins will be at full strength in Week 1, and they’re a tough out when healthy. A strong start — or a rough one — could define how this season unfolds for Indianapolis.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 3 vs. Texans; Sunday, Sept. 21
With James Gladstone and Liam Coen taking over, 2025 is all about building for the future in Jacksonville.
A divisional win over Houston would be a step in the right direction. All eyes will be on Travis Hunter, who might see action against both Nico Collins as a corner and Derek Stingley Jr. as a receiver.
Kansas City Chiefs: Week 2 vs. Eagles; Sunday, Sept. 14
The Chiefs are the gold standard in the AFC, but they fell flat in their Super Bowl 59 loss to the Eagles.
They get a chance at redemption in a rematch on their home field. A win wouldn’t erase February’s loss, but it would be a loud statement that Kansas City isn’t going anywhere.
Las Vegas Raiders: Week 10 @ Broncos; Thursday, Nov. 6
With Pete Carroll and Geno Smith in the mix, the Raiders could go in several directions this season.
A Thursday night road win in Denver would be a strong signal that things are trending up in Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Chargers: Week 18 @ Broncos; Time/Date TBD
Both teams were Wild Card squads in 2024 and are expected to be back in the hunt in 2025.
A Week 18 road win in Denver could be exactly what the Chargers need to secure another postseason berth.
Los Angeles Rams: Week 16 @ Seahawks; Thursday, Dec. 18
Nobody’s sure how the NFC West will shake out in 2025, but with Sean McVay on the sideline, the Rams are usually in the mix.
A December win in Seattle could help put the Rams in a strong position to win the division.
Miami Dolphins: Week 15 vs. Bengals; Sunday, Dec. 21
Injuries have held Miami back lately, but when healthy, they’re a playoff-caliber team deep into the season.
A late-December win over a playoff regular like Cincinnati would give their postseason push a big boost.
Minnesota Vikings: Week 12 @ Packers; Sunday, Nov. 23
J.J. McCarthy has big shoes to fill, but with solid coaching and talent around him, the Vikings should still be contenders.
A win at Lambeau would be huge for their momentum — and their chances — in the NFC playoff race.
New England Patriots: Week 9 vs. Falcons; Sunday, Nov. 2
The Patriots improved this offseason, but they’re still probably a year away from serious playoff contention.
This could be a fun matchup of 2024 rookie quarterbacks with Drake Maye and Michael Penix Jr. going head-to-head.
New Orleans Saints: Week 5 vs. Giants; Sunday, Oct. 5
With Derek Carr retired and years of pushing off a rebuild finally catching up, the Saints are near the bottom of the NFC.
If they want to stay competitive this year, they’ll need to take care of business against beatable teams like the Giants.
New York Giants: Week 1 @ Commanders; Sunday, Sept. 7
Expectations are low for the Giants in 2025. But a road win over the Commanders would turn heads early.
The Giants’ defensive line is strong, the secondary is improved, and Malik Nabers heads the offense. If the quarterback play improves, the Giants could surprise some people.
New York Jets: Week 1 vs. Steelers; Sunday, Sept. 7
If Aaron Rodgers signs with the Steelers, this becomes a showdown of two QBs facing their former teams.
The Jets opted to go younger, betting on Justin Fields’ potential. Week 1 will offer a good look at whether that gamble was the right call.
Philadelphia Eagles: Week 16 @ Commanders; Saturday, Dec. 20
The champs will have a target on their back all year — and no one may want to beat them more than the division rival they knocked out in the NFC title game.
A win in D.C. could go a long way toward locking up the NFC East and a top seed.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Week 18 vs. Ravens; Time/Date TBD
Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season. If that streak stays alive, this Week 18 matchup could decide a playoff spot.
Even with the game in Pittsburgh, taking down the Ravens in the finale won’t be easy.
San Francisco 49ers: Week 10 vs. Rams; Sunday, Nov. 9
The NFC West should be competitive, and a healthier 49ers team figures to be right in the mix again.
Shanahan vs. McVay is always must-watch football. A win here could decide the division.
Seattle Seahawks: Week 13 vs. Vikings; Sunday, Nov. 30
The Vikings passed on Sam Darnold, and Seattle snatched him up. Now, he gets a shot to show what they missed.
Beyond the revenge angle, this is a big game against a likely Wild Card contender — one that could impact playoff tiebreakers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Week 15 vs. Falcons; Thursday, Dec. 11
The Bucs and Falcons are the top two favorites in the NFC South, making this a huge divisional clash.
Tampa has won the South four years in a row, and a December win over Atlanta could help make it five straight.
Tennessee Titans: Week 7 vs. Patriots; Sunday, Oct. 19
The Titans were the NFL’s worst team last year, but 2025 is all about seeing what Cam Ward can become.
A win over a similarly rebuilding Patriots team could be a sign that Tennessee’s ahead of schedule.
Washington Commanders: Week 14 @ Vikings; Sunday, Dec. 7
After a surprise NFC title game run, expectations are higher for the Commanders in 2025.
A win in Minnesota could help solidify their playoff position — and show last year wasn’t a fluke.