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NFL schedule leaks: Tracking latest news, rumors, updates about 2025 schedule

Nick Brinkerhoff ,  Steve Gardner   Paste BN
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The grand reveal is here.

After months that included Super Bowl celebrations, free-agent signings, draft picks and so much more, it's almost time for football games again. Or, at least the announcement of football games.

In the lead up to its official schedule release, the NFL has been drumming up interest in the occasion by strategically leaking some games that will take place over the course of next season.

Monday saw the announcement of some key games, including the season opener, the Black Friday game, a Saturday doubleheader and a Christmas Day showcase. Tuesday had the international game slate unveiling.

Wednesday will reveal the remainder of the 272 regular-season games. But that hasn't stopped some fans from trying to predict what some of the Week 1 games will be as well. False leaks of Week 1 contests like Bills vs. Ravens, Bengals at Bills, and others have run rampant in the lead up to the full reveal.

With the official release set for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, there is still plenty of time to get those final leaks out before the faucet is turned off.

It won't be long before the calendar is filled.

Here are the latest rumors, leaks and updates about the NFL's 2025 schedule ahead of the league's official release on Wednesday night.

2025 NFL SCHEDULE: Eagles-Chiefs lead top 10 regular season games we can't wait to see

NFL schedule leaks, rumors tracker

Chiefs, Chargers to play in Brazil

  • Date: May 14
  • Sources: NFL

It was rumored to be the Week 1 matchup in Brazil and now it's confirmed. The Chiefs and Chargers will play each other in an AFC West battle in Sao Paulo. Los Angeles is the designated home team in the second annual Brazil game.

Ashton Jeanty to make NFL debut in New England

The Patriots will kick off the Mike Vrabel era at home in Week 1. They'll see a team that is also beginning a new era of their own, the Las Vegas Raiders, who are traveling across the country to New England. Ashton Jeanty will suit up for the silver-and-black for the first time in the regular season, making his NFL debut. Geno Smith begins the next chapter of his career and Pete Carroll is back on the sidelines with a new team. Storylines are aplenty in this one.

Netflix announces Christmas games

Netflix has made their Christmas plans official, announcing their exclusive doubleheader hours before the schedule release. As the rumors have suggested, it'll be the Commanders hosting the Cowboys and the Lions traveling to Minnesota for a battle with the Vikings.

Potential shootout in Week 6

Two of the NFL's best offenses will have a prime-time clash in Week 6 when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions., Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports. The Lions were a surprise choice to face the Super Bowl champion Chiefs in the 2023 season opener and they pulled off a 21-20 upset. We'll see how this one stacks up.

'Monday Night Football' premieres in Chicago

The season's first "Monday Night Football" broadcast on ESPN will pit the Minnesota Vikings against the Chicago Bears, according to Schultz. The Sept. 8 game will mark Ben Johnson's debut as Vikings head coach.

Christmas Day schedule taking shape?

Local media are reporting the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings are expected to host interdivision games on Christmas Day. Kevin Sheehan of 980 AM in Washington has the Commanders facing the Dallas Cowboys in what he says is likely the day's first game. Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports the Vikings will also host the Detroit Lions on Christmas.

Super Bowl rematch in Week 2

There it is! We knew the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs would stage a Super Bowl 59 rematch at some point during the 2025 season. Schultz reports that game will come Week 2 in Kansas City. Both teams will have a little extra time to prepare with the defending champion Eagles playing their season opener at home the previous Thursday and the Chiefs kicking off their season that Friday. However, the Chiefs will spend part of that span traveling back from their opening game in Brazil.

Travis Hunter, Jaguars to open season at home

Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter will make his NFL debut against another Heisman winner, Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, when the Jacksonville Jaguars kick off their season at home against the Panthers, according to Schultz. The matchup will also have an interesting sideline twist: Liam Cohen of Jacksonville and Dave Caneles of Carolina served as the last two offensive coordinators of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before they were hired as their respective teams' head coaches.

Falcons, Bucs to meet in Week 1

The Atlanta Falcons will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their season opener, according to Sports Director Zach Klein of Atlanta's ABC affiliate, WSB-TV. The matchup is also being reported on the Tampa Bay side by JoeBucsFan.com.

Lions, Packers to kick off season in NFC North showdown

We're sensing a theme developing in Week 1. On the heels of the interdivision Eagles-Cowboys battle in the season opener, Schultz is reporting the Green Bay Packers will host the Detroit Lions in an NFC North clash on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Giants face brutal opening stretch

Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com has a line on the New York Giants' first four games of the season. He reports they'll face a "Murderers' Row" of opponents: At the Washington Commanders in Week 1, at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, a home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 and a home clash with the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4.

Cowboys, Chiefs to meet on Thanksgiving Day

  • Date: May 14
  • Source: CBS Mornings, NFL

On CBS Mornings, the NFL Today's Bill Cowher and Nate Burleson revealed the network's Thanksgiving Day matchup: the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. The marquee matchup will fill the middle slot on the NFL's three-game Turkey Day schedule, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. ET.

NFL International games announced

The league announced seven International Games across five countries in 2025. Games will be played across Europe in Dublin, Ireland; London, U.K.; Berlin, Germany; and Madrid, Spain.

The Chargers will begin the 2025 International Games during Week 1 in São Paulo, Brazil, at Corinthians Arena. The opponent for this game will be announced on May 14.

Eagles, Packers set for 'MNF' clash

  • Date: May 13
  • Source: ESPN

The Eagles and Packers face off in a Week 10 "Monday Night Football" clash, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Super Bowl champs vs. the Super Bowl hopefuls last met in the 2024 NFL wild card round, a 22-10 Philly win.

Dolphins to play Commanders in Madrid

Miami is one of seven NFL teams already announced to play an international game in 2025. This will be the first NFL game in the Spanish capital. The Palm Beach Post is reporting that their opponent for that matchup will be the defending NFC runners-up Washington Commanders.

Peacock to host 'holiday exclusive' in Week 17

  • Date: May 12
  • Source: NBC

Peacock – NBC's proprietary streaming service – is set to broadcast its fourth-ever exclusive streaming game in Week 17. It will air on Saturday, Dec. 27 and the matchup will be "selected from a pool of key NFL Week 17 Saturday matchups," according to NBC.

Eagles to host Cowboys in 2025 season opener

The NFL season opener is set for 2025. The reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles will host their divisional rival, the Cowboys, on Thursday, Sept. 4 to kickstart the 2025 campaign. NBC – which announced the matchup on its "TODAY" show – will broadcast the game as part of its "Sunday Night Football" package, despite the game being played on a Thursday.

It marks the 20th time since 2004 the reigning Super Bowl champion was chosen to host the NFL's season opener. They hold a combined record of 15-5 in those matchups.

Chargers and Chiefs to play Week 1 in Brazil

The NFL has officially announced the Chargers will play in the league's second Sao Paolo game in 2025 on Friday, Sept. 5. Fisher reports their opponent will be the Chiefs, and that YouTube is currently expected to broadcast the game.

(Update: The NFL confirmed the matchup on May 13.)

Fisher called the Chiefs the NFL's "top viewership draw," which would make more fans likely to tune into this contest. YouTube, which presently distributes the domestic version of NFL Sunday Ticket, would stream the game for free on its platform.

NFL to reveal dates of 'select games' with broadcast partners

The NFL announced it is going to reveal the dates and times of select matchups ahead of the full schedule release Wednesday. Below is when those contests will be announced:

  • NBC: Monday, May 12 (on TODAY Show)
  • FOX: Monday, May 12
  • Prime Video: Monday, May 12
  • ESPN: Tuesday, May 13 (on Good Morning America)
  • CBS: Wednesday, May 14 (on CBS Mornings)
  • Netflix: Wednesday, May 14

It isn't clear which matchups will be announced by each network, but they figure to be some of the most prominent contests featured on each network in 2025.

NFL reveals international game hosts for 2025

The NFL is set to play seven international games in five different countries during the 2025 season. It has announced the host for those seven contests. They are as follows:

  • London, England (Tottenham): New York Jets
  • London, England (Tottenham): Cleveland Browns
  • London, England (Wembley): Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Berlin, Germany: Indianapolis Colts
  • Madrid, Spain: Miami Dolphins
  • Dublin, Ireland: Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Sao Paolo, Brazil: Los Angeles Chargers

NFL schedule 2025

Week 1

  • Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys; Sept. 4, 2025 | 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
  • Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs; Sept. 5, 2025 (Sao Paulo, Brazil - Corinthians Arena) | 8:15 p.m. ET on YouTube

Week 4

  • Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings; Sept. 28, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. ET (Dublin, Ireland - Croke Park) on NFL Network

Week 5

  • Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings; Oct. 5, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. ET (London, UK - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) on NFL Network

Week 6

  • New York Jets vs. Denver Broncos; Oct. 12, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. ET (London, UK - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) on NFL Network

Week 7

  • Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Los Angeles Rams; Oct. 19, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. ET (London, UK - Wembley Stadium) on NFL Network

Week 10

  • Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons; Nov. 9, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. ET (Berlin, Germany - Olympic Stadium) on NFL Network
  • Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles; Nov. 10, 2025 on ESPN ("Monday Night Football")

Week 11

  • Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders; Nov. 16, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. ET (Madrid, Spain - Santiago Bernabeu Stadium) on NFL Network

Week 13

  • TBA vs. Detroit Lions; Nov. 28, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. ET on Fox
  • Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys; Nov. 28, 2025 | 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS
  • Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears; Nov. 28, 2025 | on Prime Video

Week 16

  • Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles; Dec. 20, 2025 on Fox
  • Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers; Dec. 20, 2025 on Fox

Week 17

  • Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos; Dec. 25, 2025 on Prime Video

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