Naturally there’s no way of knowing how the 2025 NFL season will shape up. Games we always think will be good end up being trash, while suddenly teams we counted out become can’t-miss games (the 2024 Commanders say hello).
Still, circling the calendar is all about anticipation. That knee-jerk reaction that makes us look at the slate and say “oh yeah, that’s one to watch.” After the full NFL schedules were released on Wednesday night there are seven games we’re really hyped about for 2025.
Week 1: Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
A good matchup doesn’t always require good teams, but a barometer of who could be good in the future. Panthers vs. Jags has so many intriguing elements to it that it might be must-watch television in Week 1 for a variety of reasons.
For fantasy players it’s a chance to see whether Bryce Young can stay hot. If Travis Hunter can be a difference maker. Then we have two football coaches who have similar tendencies, Tetairoa McMillan making his debut, and a chance to see Trevor Lawrence in a modern NFL offense for the first time.
These franchises entered the NFL at the same time and took wildly different paths. The Panthers have been to two Super Bowls, the Jaguars are still trying to work things out after 30 years. However they meet up to kick off their 2025 seasons both feeling good about the future.
Christmas Day: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
I love everything about this game. It will be the second time these teams meet in 2025, and a fantastic litmus test for whether the J.J. McCarthy era in Minnesota can be fruitful. We’re conditioned to believe the Lions will stomp the Vikings, but that didn’t play out in 2024 — and this year Detroit are having to contend with losing both their offensive and defensive coordinator.
Cap it all off with this being a Christmas Day game will all the pressure on both teams to shine in the run to the playoffs and this could be a ton of fun. It’s not just these teams meeting, but what could be on the line.
Week 1: Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
This one goes without saying. We have the two quarterbacks who were vying for the MVP award in 2024 facing off in Buffalo with so much on the line. These are two organization who have become bizarre mirrors of each other. Great defenses, game-breaking quarterbacks, but both with questions about the weapons around him.
Football is best where there are levels, but this just has one key element: Lamar vs. Josh — on the first Sunday Night Football of the season. Let’s go.
Week 9: Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Going to keep circling this one on the calendar forever and ever. It’s the NFL’s best rivalry now with the Chiefs continually finding ways to be the thorn in Buffalo’s side. Perhaps that can all change in 2025? Is this the year the Chiefs’ train finally breaks down?
We’ll know a lot more about both Kansas City and Buffalo before these teams meet, and it’s going to be fascinating to watch.
Week 2: Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
This one is all about coaching. Ben Johnson was the architect of Detroit’s offensive brilliance during their resurgence and he’ll be coaching across from an unfamiliar face, John Morton who was a part of Sean Payton’s staff in Denver.
While there will be a lot of chances to see how Caleb Williams is meshing with Johnson’s offensive sensibilities, in the long run it’s all about seeing how this fairs against the best of the NFC North. Having the Lions come to town makes this one to watch.
Week 5: Washington Commanders vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Commanders are on the verge of becoming a force in the NFC, and so are the Chargers in the AFC. While there’s no doubt Washington had more immediate success, Jim Harbaugh is shaping Los Angeles in his image and it’s paying off.
This could be a brilliant game with two hard-nosed coaches and excellent quarterbacks. These teams are very similar in construction, but run completely different offensive systems making for a fun matchup.
Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets
Sometimes you just have to throw a game on your watch list for the stupidity of it all, and that’s what we have here. If we operate under the assumption that Aaron Rodgers eventually gets off the pot and signs with Pittsburgh it will be a lot of dumb fun. However, even if he doesn’t this could be an opportunity for Justin Fields to show the Steelers what they missed out on by not re-signing him this Spring.
