The NFL’s growth knows no bounds, and that’s why the league continues to expand its reach outside of the United States. The sport already has a strong grip on everyday life in North America, and reaching new fans helps bring the NFL closer to becoming the global powerhouse it wants to be.
We’ve got a record seven international games on deck for the 2025 regular season. Here’s how they stack up, starting with the least intriguing and ending with the most.
2025 International NFL Schedule
- Sept. 5 (Week 1), Brazil: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Sept. 29 (Week 4), Dublin: Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Oct. 5 (Week 5), London: Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns
- Oct. 12 (Week 6), London: Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
- Oct. 19 (Week 7), London: Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Nov. 9 (Week 10), Germany: Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Nov. 16 (Week 11), Spain: Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins
Ranking the International Games
7) Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
These teams combined for 24 wins last season, but both might struggle to match that in 2025 with questions at quarterback.
Most expect Aaron Rodgers to be a Steeler, but until that’s confirmed, Pittsburgh looks like a team that wants to slow games down and grind things out. That’s not exactly must-watch football, and a first-year starter on the other side won’t move the needle much either.
Yes, both squads have talented receivers and playmaking defenses — they blitzed above average last season and both ranked in the top 12 in PFSN’s defensive grades — but expecting something as exciting as their 36-28 shootout in 2021 feels like a stretch.
6) Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
The Jets have moved on from Rodgers and handed the keys to Justin Fields. That’s definitely worth watching. This offense has legit weapons, and while Fields lost his starting role last year in Pittsburgh, he did open the season with three straight wins — including one in Denver.
As for the Broncos, they’re entering Year 2 of the Sean Payton-Bo Nix era. They overachieved in 2024 and return our top-graded defense. Denver used the No. 20 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Jahdae Barron, a cornerback from Texas who should boost an already strong unit. The offense is young but promising.
Expect defense, physical play, and some creative scheming to move the ball. This one should keep fans engaged.
5) Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns
Like them or not, the Browns are must-watch early in the year. This matchup features the top blitzing team and the top pressure defense from 2024. If you like chaos, this one’s for you, especially with inexperienced QBs likely under center.
Minnesota playing back-to-back games abroad is also worth tracking. Jacksonville has done it before, and if the play remains sharp, the NFL may consider having teams “adopt” specific foreign markets in the future.
4) Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts
Think fireworks — this game could be chaotic in the best (or worst) way. We don’t know what to expect from Michael Penix Jr., and there’s a wide range of outcomes depending on whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones leading the Colts.
There are playmakers everywhere, with two defenses that finished in the bottom 10 last year. Toss in the international setting, and this could get weird — but entertaining.
3) Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Liam Coen now leads a Jaguars offense with a high-pedigree quarterback, a breakout rookie receiver, a deep backfield, and maybe the most polarizing non-QB rookie in years.
That’s already fun. Now, throw in Matthew Stafford returning for the Rams and the addition of Davante Adams.
Cooper Kupp may be gone, but Sean McVay still has weapons. This could be a shootout, and it’s my pick for the highest-scoring game of the seven.
2) Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins
Washington was one of last year’s surprise teams and doubled down this offseason. With Jayden Daniels on a rookie deal, the Commanders went out and got Deebo Samuel Sr. He’s coming off a down year, but Samuel could be the veteran piece that helps them take the next step.
The Dolphins are loaded with talent and, when clicking, can be electric on offense. Miami’s defense ranked No. 11 in our Defense+ metric and addressed both lines in the draft. This could be a rare overseas battle between two playoff-level teams.
1) Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Brazil hosted the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles last season — two teams that were in the Super Bowl conversation. This year, they get two more contenders in Week 1.
The Chiefs might not light up the scoreboard like they used to, but they’ve won 10+ games seven years in a row and nine straight AFC West titles.
Could that last streak end?
The Chargers improved by six wins in Year 1 under Jim Harbaugh and gave the Chiefs two tough games. Justin Herbert graded as PFSN’s No. 12 quarterback last year despite a rocky run game, a new system, and a rookie WR1. That’s no longer the case, and this game could end up deciding the division.