Ranking the Eagles potential opponents to kickoff 2025 NFL season
Philadelphia is the epicenter of the NFL for the second time since 2018 after the Eagles ended Kansas City's three-peat bid with a dominating 40-22 beatdown of the defending Super Bowl champs. Vic Fangio's retooled defense confused and battered Patrick Mahomes on the night, while Jalen Hurts made all the big plays and carved up the Kansas City defense.
Nick Sirianni's team exacted revenge for Super Bowl 57, and the Eagles' victory means the 2025 season will kick off at Lincoln Financial Field. Next season, Philadelphia will host the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams.
It's never too early to consider who Philadelphia might face in the September opener, and we're ranking the teams.
1. Detroit Lions
Detroit had the best record in the NFC this season, but injuries decimated the defense, and they were upset in the playoffs by the Washington Commanders. The Lions lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Bears, but Dan Campbell's squad has the weapons to put on a fireworks show with Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The matchup would be explosive, and the Eagles top-ranked defense would get a formidable opponent on opening night.
2. Washington Commanders
A division opponent in the season opener, Washington and Jayden Daniels, would be an electric matchup to kick off the 2025 season. The NFL likes to save division matchups for later in the season, but Philadelphia hung 55 points on the ascending Commanders in the NFC title game, and that loss would still be fresh in Washington's mind.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams were a few missed plays away from potentially being the NFC team facing the Chiefs on Sunday night. Like Detroit, the Rams are explosive on offense, and this would give Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse another opportunity to alienate Eagles fans. What the Rams and Matthew Stafford decide to do at quarterback could make this less desirable if Sean McVay's team retools.
4. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have a big named coach in Sean Payton, a budding star in quarterback Bo Nix, and the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Patrick Surtain II.
5. Chicago Bears
The Bears have Ben Johnson as the latest young stud head coach, and he'll bring second-year quarterback Caleb Williams and a plethora of weapons like D'Andre Swift, D.J. Moore, and Rome Odunze.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has a new head coach and staff, Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, and CeeDee Lamb, who are returning from injury. This matchup is always a must-see, but does a rebuilding rival franchise move the needle in the season opener at Lincoln Financial Field?
7. New York Giants
It would never happen, but a New York Giants team with a high pick and rebuilt roster would be good for Saquon Barkley and the Eagles ring ceremony at a raucous Lincoln Financial Field. This would not be warm-hearted for the NFL to do.
8. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders hired Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator this past week, marking the former NFL head coach's return to the pros after eight years away.
He'll join Pete Carroll and a rebuilt Raiders team with a star edge rusher in Maxx Crosby.