The NFL's Schedule Release Night has turned into its own little holiday. You’re either refreshing Twitter for the leaks or texting your group chat about how your team got screwed with three road games in December. We all do it. And once the full schedule drops, it’s a little reminder that football season is right around the corner.

Here are the games you need to circle: The NFL Schedule is out — and this is what you really need to watch.

Sure, we’ve known the opponents for months, but locking in the actual dates? That’s when things start to feel real. Suddenly, a road game in Kansas City hits different if it’s in Week 2 under the lights instead of buried in an early Sunday slot. And now, with games in Brazil, Germany, and Ireland, the league basically turned the schedule into a football world tour. Sprinkle in some revenge games, rookie debuts, and rivalry matchups with playoff energy, and this thing is packed.

So let’s break it down. Here’s a look at the games you’ll want to circle — and let’s be honest, maybe plan a recovery day for those Mondays after when you know you’ll be up way too late screaming at your TV.

Best Games on the 2025 Schedule

Week 1 — The Championship Curtain‑Raiser

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles: Thursday, Sept. 4 — 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

Is there a better way to crack open the season than a grudge match in South Philly? The Eagles are fresh off smothering Kansas City 40‑22 to hoist their second Lombardi in the last decade, and they get to unfurl the banner in front of their most irritating neighbors.

Last season, Dallas got boat‑raced by a combined 62 points in the two meetings against the eventual champs, a pair of losses that ended up defining their 7‑10 stumble and cost Mike McCarthy his job. Enter Brian Schottenheimer, charged with jump‑starting an offense that already features CeeDee Lamb and just added George Pickens on the other side.

The Cowboys are walking into this one with a chip on their shoulder the size of Texas. It’s a shot to prove last season was a fluke, that the new coaching setup actually works, and that they can hang with the big dogs in the NFC. On the flip side, Philly’s going to be riding a wave of emotion — ring ceremony, banner drop, the whole deal.

That stadium’s going to be electric, and the Eagles will be juiced to prove that last year’s title run was no accident. This one’s personal for both sides, and you’ll feel it from the first snap.

Week 1 — History in São Paulo

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Friday, Sept. 5 — 8 p.m. ET, Corinthians Arena (YouTube global stream)

Get ready for something new — the NFL is kicking off in Brazil, and they’re sending Mahomes and Herbert to do it. It’s the first regular-season game in South America, and while the Chargers technically give up a home game, Jim Harbaugh probably isn’t complaining.

For the Chiefs, the sting from last year’s Super Bowl loss is still fresh. They went 15–2 and made it all the way back to the big game, but Philly shut the door hard. Still, this is a team that’s been in five of the last six AFC title games, and they retooled the offense a bit to protect Mahomes better. They also added CB Kristian Fulton and DT Jerry Tillery to round out a defense that quietly carried a lot of the load last year.

Meanwhile, the Chargers had a solid 11–6 season, but got bounced in the Wild Card round. Harbaugh’s firmly put his stamp on things, bringing in Najee Harris, rebuilding the O-line with Mekhi Becton, and adding firepower on defense with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Da'Shawn Hand. But this is the real test.

Can they slow down Mahomes, not at SoFi, but on neutral turf in a packed Brazilian stadium with the world watching? Either way, it's going to be loud, weird, and totally worth tuning in for. And thanks to the YouTube stream, all you need is some Wi-Fi to tune in.

Week 2 — Super Bowl LIX Rematch

Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs: Sunday, Sept. 14 — 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX

If that Super Bowl loss didn’t sit right with the Chiefs, this one’s got all the ingredients for a get-back game. Philly flat-out bullied them in February — ten quarterback hits, a couple of highlight plays from Cooper DeJean, and suddenly the three-peat dream was toast. All offseason, Kansas City’s been focused on protecting Mahomes better and making sure that kind of collapse doesn’t happen again.

Week 4 — Luck of the Irish

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings: Sunday, Sept. 28 — 9:30 a.m. ET, Croke Park, Dublin (NFL Network)

Football for breakfast, anyone? The Steelers are heading to Ireland for the first time ever, and it’s a big deal — especially for the Rooney family. If those Aaron Rodgers-to-Pittsburgh rumors somehow turn into reality, this one could get real spicy. Imagine Rodgers in a Steelers jersey on a global stage against a Vikings squad still trying to figure out if JJ McCarthy is the guy.

Even if it’s not Rodgers under center, there’s still a ton to like. Pittsburgh’s defense, led by T.J. Watt, has been one of the most consistent units in football, and they’ll get a shot at Minnesota’s revamped offensive line.

Week 6 — New Kids & Old Wounds

Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders: Monday, Oct. 13 — 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)

Last year’s Bears-Commanders game ended with one of the wildest finishes of the season — a last-second Hail Mary that got tipped around and somehow landed in the arms of Noah Brown for the game-winner. That play didn’t just stun Chicago, it basically ended Matt Eberflus’ time as head coach.

Fast forward eleven months, and the Bears are rolling back into D.C. with Caleb Williams under center, Ben Johnson calling plays, and a brand new offensive core that now includes a line that should be able to keep Williams upright.

Washington’s not sitting still either. Jayden Daniels is back after a ridiculous rookie year, Terry McLaurin is still that guy, and now he’s protected by one of the best left tackles in football in Laremy Tunsil. They also went out and added Deebo Samuel to give Daniels a reliable second option who can make things happen after the catch.

Two of the brightest young quarterbacks in the league. Two teams with real playoff hopes. And a little revenge hanging in the air. This should be a fun one.

Week 8 — Rodgers Returns? Packers at Steelers

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers: Sunday, Oct. 26 — 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

There’s been plenty of buzz around a potential Aaron Rodgers signing in Pittsburgh, but let’s be real — nothing is close to official. Right now, the Steelers are rolling into the season with Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard as their quarterback room. That’s not exactly striking fear into defenses.

Surprisingly, that didn't stop them from making a blockbuster move this offseason by trading for DK Metcalf and handing him a massive five-year extension. It’s a clear sign they think they’re close, even if nobody’s quite sure who’s getting him the ball.

As for Green Bay, Jordan Love is now trying to live up to his massive four-year, $220 million contract. That offensive line kept him clean most of the year, and the Packers doubled down on their young core with a smart draft — getting Matthew Golden in the first round— and some depth signings.

So no matter who’s under center for Pittsburgh, you’ve still got Metcalf lined up against Jaire Alexander, T.J. Watt chasing Love, and two proud franchises trying to prove they’re legit contenders. If Rodgers does show up in black and gold, buckle up.

Week 9 — Brady vs. Manning, Part 2

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills: Sunday, Nov. 2 — 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Bills have had the Chiefs’ number in the regular season — three straight wins including that 30–27 thriller last year in Orchard Park — but come January, it’s been a different story. Kansas City has knocked Buffalo out of the playoffs four times in five years, and those losses sting more each time. From the 2020 AFC title game to the infamous '13 seconds' collapse in 2021, it’s become clear: this is more than just a matchup now — it’s a full-blown rivalry.

And it’s starting to feel like the next version of Brady vs. Manning. Allen vs. Mahomes is the heavyweight fight everyone circles when the schedule drops. They both light up the scoreboard, both play with swagger, and neither team is ever out of it when they’re under center.

This year’s meeting is set up to be another track meet. Buffalo’s offense is still built around Josh Allen’s chaos magic, even with Stefon Diggs gone. And the Chiefs? Mahomes is breaking in a new receiver room again, but we’ve seen how little that seems to matter.

Whoever wins this one will have a huge edge in the AFC seeding race, but more than that, it’s about pride. The Bills needto prove they can get over the Kansas City hump when it counts. This won’t settle that, but it’ll set the tone.

Week 13 — Thanksgiving Tripleheader

• Packers at Lions — 12:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

• Chiefs at Cowboys — 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

• Bengals at Ravens — 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)

Thanksgiving football will always have the classics — Lions early, Cowboys in the afternoon — but this year’s slate might be one of the better ones we’ve seen in a while. The early game brings us a classic NFC North rivalry. Detroit looks like a legit contender now, and the Packers, hoping to make a deep run in the postseason, are banking on their young team taking another step this year.

In the middle slot, it’s Mahomes and Kelce heading to Dallas to face a Cowboys team smack in the middle of a brutal three-game gauntlet — Eagles, Chiefs, then Detroit, where we know there's bad blood. The NFL knew exactly what it was doing here. Cowboys' Thanksgiving games already draw massive ratings, but throwing Mahomes into the mix? That’s how you take a guaranteed blockbuster and make it even bigger.

And the nightcap might just steal the day. Joe Burrow and the Bengals haven't done a ton to address their atrocious defense from last year, but they were able to shore up their weapons on the outside. The Ravens are coming into this one locked and loaded, looking to run it back with one of the most talented rosters in the league. Lamar’s locked in, Derrick Henry is back for more, and they’ve got a chip on their shoulder.

Week 17 — Christmas Day Triple Dip

• Cowboys at Commanders — 1 p.m. ET (Netflix)

• Lions at Vikings — 4:30 p.m. ET (Netflix)

• Broncos at Chiefs — 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

Netflix is getting in on the holiday action again with a couple of division games that come with real stakes. By Christmas Day, Washington will be finishing a brutal four-game NFC East run, and if they can take one from Dallas, it could be the difference between hosting a playoff game or heading on the road.

The second game isn’t flying under anyone’s radar. These two teams were fighting for the NFC’s top seed heading into Week 18 last year, and both are right back in the mix this season. The Lions are trying to prove that they can win when it matters most, and the Vikings are hoping JJ McCarthy hits the ground running.

The nightcap belongs to Patrick Mahomes, who now owns Christmas the way LeBron used to. Denver gave K.C. a scare last Halloween but faded. The Broncos have made some moves and are hoping to be more competitive this time around, but going into Arrowhead on Christmas night is a whole different level. This one’s more about seeing if Denver can hang in there or if Mahomes is going to keep owning the AFC West in prime time like he always seems to do.

Down-to-the-Wire Division Clashes

Eagles vs. Commanders — Weeks 16 & 18

These two went toe-to-toe in the NFC title game last season, and now they’re set for not one, but two matchups down the stretch that could help decide the division again. The NFL clearly knew what it was doing, saving the rematch for Christmas week and letting the rivalry simmer all season long. The Commanders haven’t won in Philly since 2019, but this new-look squad with Jayden Daniels at the helm isn’t the same team we’ve seen in years past.

On the other side, the Eagles are still loaded and looking to defend both their NFC East crown and conference title. With both games coming late in the season — Week 16 and a potentially massive Week 18 finale at the Linc — these aren’t just rivalry games, they’re playoff-positioning battles. If Washington can finally break through on the road, it might mean snatching the division title at the buzzer.

TV Darlings, Ghost Games, and Bye‑Week Shenanigans

Prime-Time Overload

The Chiefs are front and center — again — with a whopping seven standalone games. That’s a ton of national TV, even for Mahomes and Company. And then there’s Dallas — the Cowboys somehow landed six prime-time games despite a losing record last year.

Philly and Washington aren’t far behind, each getting five prime-time slots of their own. That’s a pretty clear message from the NFL: they’re betting big on Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels to keep fans locked in. And honestly, who can blame them? These are two of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league right now, and both teams are expected to be in the thick of the playoff race.

National Blackout

It’s a tough break for Tennessee and New Orleans — neither team gets a single prime-time game this year. Not one. It’s a pretty clear sign the league doesn’t see them as must-see TV right now. The Browns don’t get any prime-time love either, but at least they’re headed to London, which gives them a spotlight game on the international stage.

Then you’ve got Jacksonville, Carolina, and Indy all clinging to a single standalone slot. It’s not a total snub, but it definitely feels like the league is waiting to see if any of them are actually worth putting in front of a national audience. Until then, it’s mostly 1 p.m. Sundays for this group.

Streaming Scramble

Between YouTube in Brazil, Netflix on Christmas, and Prime Video’s Black Friday, the NFL is going all-in on streaming this year. It's not just a few games here and there — some of the league's biggest matchups are spread out across different platforms, and fans are going to need more logins than they probably care to admit.

Whether you’re casting to the main TV or watching from your phone on the go, you’ll be able to catch nearly every big game with nothing more than decent service and, let’s be honest, someone else’s password.

Bye-Week Quirkiness

Bye weeks always sneak up and shape the playoff race in weird ways, and this year’s layout is no different. Houston and Pittsburgh get theirs super early — Week 6 for the Texans and Week 5 for the Steelers — which means both squads will have to dig deep for a brutal 12-game stretch with no real breather the rest of the way. That’s a long haul, especially for young teams or ones with injury concerns.

On the other side, the Commanders, Chargers, and Dolphins don’t hit pause until Week 12. That’s late, but it could be a real advantage when everyone else is banged up and they’re just getting their legs back. If any of those three are hovering around the playoff bubble, a late-November bye might be the fresh jolt they need to make a run. The timing isn’t fair across the board, but that’s kind of the point — it adds one more wrinkle to an already wild 18-week stretch.

The Countdown to Kickoff

This season will see 18 weeks with games across four continents and enough drama to keep the group chats buzzing until February. We’re certainly not crowning a Super Bowl champ based on a schedule release, but you can absolutely circle the matchups that'll end up mattering in December.