2025 NFL schedule release: Bills-Ravens rematch tops 8 best primetime games
NFL teams are in the thick of the offseason. Rookie minicamps are in the rearview as players for every franchise are in voluntary workouts ahead of offseason training activities (OTAs) and training camp.
All 32 teams have a full roster of undrafted free agents, rookies, free agents and veterans. Each franchise will trim its roster over the coming months ahead of Week 1 of the regular season.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will ring in the new season at home against NFC East foe Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4.
Thanks to the NFL's rotating schedule, we've known for months all of the opponents each team will face in the regular season. But we haven't known which weeks teams will play and when until now.
The NFL's released the full 18-week schedule for the 2025 season. Plenty of exciting matchups are on deck as reigning playoff teams and hopeful contenders alike face off throughout the season.
But things always are a bit more important under the lights. Here are our picks for the top five primetime games this season:
Best NFL primetime games in 2025
Week 1: Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills ("Sunday Night Football")
Primetime wastes no time in giving football fans an exciting game to watch. These two teams met in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs last season and provided a thrilling back-and-forth game in snowy conditions.
It will likely be a bit warmer in Buffalo to open the season, which could see even more points from two potent offenses led by the last two NFL MVPs. Another chapter of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Sign us up.
How to watch: 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock
Week 3: Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens ("Monday Night Football")
Two weeks later, it's time for the Ravens to host an NFC playoff team. Detroit may be without longtime coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn but they still have one of the best rosters in the NFL.
Baltimore can have some early-season woes (look no further than their loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024), which may give the Lions an early opportunity in a brutal road schedule for 2025.
How to watch: 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+
Week 4: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos ("Monday Night Football" on ABC)
These two teams have opposing strengths. Cincinnati had one of the best offenses in the league last season en route to a 9-8 record. Denver boasted one of the best defenses in the league in a 10-7 campaign that ended in the first round of the playoffs.
Cincinnati's defense could be better in 2025, and Denver's offense may take a step forward in quarterback Bo Nix's second season. That's enough to have us intrigued by an AFC tilt on Monday night.
How to watch: 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+
Week 6: Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs ("Sunday Night Football")
These two teams met for the season opener in 2023 and gave us a down-to-the-wire finish. Since then, Detroit has made one NFC championship game, and Kansas City has gone 1-1 in the Super Bowl.
This is yet another tough road matchup for the Lions in 2025. Kansas City retooled in the offseason with changes on both sides of the ball. The Lions should test them in this Sunday night tilt.
How to watch: 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock
Week 8: Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs ("Monday Night Football")
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels had one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. The Commanders had a surprising turnaround and made the franchise's first NFC championship game since 1993.
Daniels and company will have to prove it wasn't a one-time aberration. What better way to test that than against the Chiefs on the road in primetime? Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will throw plenty of curveballs at the young quarterback.
How to watch: 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+
Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers ("Monday Night Football")
These two teams met in a grueling, physical playoff game in the wild-card round of the playoffs a year ago. Philadelphia won 22-10 in the first step to their championship title.
Philadelphia lost offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who is now the head coach in New Orleans. They'll likely have a top-10 defense again this year with coordinator Vic Fangio returning and another year of development from their star rookies last year. Green Bay's defense could also improve in year two under Jeff Hafley.
Green Bay must show that it can contend with the top teams in the NFC. It's hard to find a better way to prove that than against the defending champions.
How to watch: 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+
Week 11: Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles ("Sunday Night Football")
The NFC championship game many expected last season will happen this year in primetime. These two teams lost a combined three of four coordinators in the offseason but remain two of the best rosters in the conference.
This is the final of Detroit's primetime games, barring a change in Week 18 against the Bears. It comes a week after a road game against Washington. Meanwhile, Philadelphia will be fresh off their "Monday Night Football" game on the road against the Packers.
How to watch: 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock
Week 12: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans ("Thursday Night Football")
The top primetime games of the season round out with a battle between two of the final four teams in the AFC playoffs a year ago.
Buffalo's offense should be dynamic again and the defense could be improved thanks to offseason additions. Houston has a new offensive coordinator in place, and the impressive defense could improve with development and additions via trade and the draft.
Houston needed a field goal as time expired to beat Buffalo a year ago. We could see another close battle once again.
How to watch: 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video