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When the 2025 NFL schedule is released on Wednesday, it will be putting days and times to games that have long been planned for this season. As is the case every year, fans of all 32 teams will have at least a few games they should label as can't-miss contests.
Between rematches, renewed rivalries, revenge games, and other really great matchups, there is good reason for some dates to stand out more than others.
Based on those narratives, if we could pick only one date to watch on every team's slate, here's what Sporting News deems as the top choice, starting with the must-see Super Bowl 59 rematch.
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Every NFL team's best game in 2025
1. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Eagles)
The Eagles dominated most of their meeting in New Orleans, denying Patrick Mahomes a "three-peat" and fourth Super Bowl ring. Jalen Hurts rings in the new season as MVP of the biggest game, and this is the chance for both QBs to flex against each other again.
2. Buffalo Bills (vs. Chiefs)
This is the new Patriots-Colts of the AFC and between Mahomes and Josh Allen, it always lives up to dramatic expectations as a big-time playoff preview. This time, Allen gets to face Mahomes as the reigning league MVP.
3. Baltimore Ravens (at Chiefs)
Lamar Jackson had a case to win a third MVP, and like Allen, he's been unable to get past Mahomes in the playoffs. Here's the Ravens' chance to make their AFC regular-season statement in another matchup that will help determine the top seed.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Commanders)
The Eagles took it to their division rivals at home in the NFC championship game, with Hurts outlasting a game Jayden Daniels. This matchup has bumped Philadelphia-Dallas as the NFC East game of the moment, the one with the most at stake.
5. Washington Commanders (at Chiefs)
Daniels also gets a shot vs. the Chiefs, his first, in the AFC West-NFC East crossover schedule. It should be fun to see the rising superstar QB face the now venerable active GOAT. There will be plenty of big pass plays with Kliff Kingsbury matching wits with Andy Reid.
6. Green Bay Packers (vs. Eagles)
The Packers and Eagles opened in Brazil last season before playing again in the playoffs, with Philadelphia sweeping the matchups. Jordan Love will try to get on the board vs. Hurts, his fellow QB steal in the 2020 draft.
7. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Ravens)
The Bengals are expecting to contend for the AFC North title again with competent defense to support Joe Burrow and their elite offense. They need to go back to figuring Baltimore to make that happen.
8. Chicago Bears (at Commanders)
Daniels outlasted Caleb Williams in last season's initial matchup between the top two picks of the 2024 draft, thanks to "Hail Maryland." Williams, a Washington, D.C., native, should be amped up to duel Daniels in a higher-scoring affair with a much-improved offense around him.
9. New York Jets (vs. Steelers)
The Jets' starting quarterback used to be Aaron Rodgers, who still might sign to replace their new starter, Justin Fields, in Pittsburgh, potentially making this a rare double QB revenge game with plenty of drama from the Rodgers side alone. Rodgers or no Rodgers, Fields already will be plenty motivated to show the Steelers that they shouldn't have gone one-and-done with him.
10. Los Angeles Rams (at Eagles)
The Rams, the last conference Super Bowl champions before the Eagles, are back in the mix for NFC title contention with Sean McVay remixing the offense around Matthew Stafford, which will be supported by a quickly rebuilt, promising young defense. This is the biggest non-division road game for Los Angeles.
11. Detroit Lions (at Rams)
The Lions and Rams will meet again in Round 3 of Jared Goff and Stafford going head-to-head against their former teams. This should be another fun offensive explosion, with 'showtime' made for L.A.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at Lions)
The Buccaneers, joining the Lions as back-to-back division winners, are developing their own rivalry with Detroit, as Baker Mayfield and Goff have dueled well in recent matchups. Tampa Bay keeps stepping on the gas with offensive moves to keep up with Detroit.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Texans)
The Chargers went bust in the playoffs after an outstanding first season under Jim Harbaugh, losing at Houston with Justin Herbert taking lumps. They gave Herbert more help with the running game and some receiving juice, and now they need him to deliver in the playoffs against a young gun counterpart like C.J. Stroud.
14. Houston Texans (vs. 49ers)
Head coach DeMeco Ryans will face Kyle Shanahan and his former team in an underrated interconference matchup with plenty of playmakers on the field for both sides.
15. San Francisco 49ers (vs. Rams)
The 49ers do not face much stellar competition on their 2025 schedule. Their opponents have a league-worst .415 winning percentage from last season, with only six winning teams and only four playoff teams. One is the Rams, counted twice, with the Texans and Buccaneers being the other two. So, by default, the 49ers' biggest games to get back on track in the NFC West are against their archrival.
16. Seattle Seahawks (vs. 49ers)
The Seahawks now employ former 49ers backup QB Sam Darnold as their starter after his star turn with the Vikings last season. Seattle knows that going 10-7 again will be tough with the 49ers expected to rebound from injuries. For the Seahawks to come through with at least the playoff berth they were denied last season, the home dates with the Niners and Rams are almost must-wins.
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17. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Seahawks)
The Steelers made a blockbuster trade with the Seahawks for wide receiver DK Metcalf, who didn't get that next big deal from Seattle. Metcalf revenge game aside, this is also a sneaky "Russell Wilson emeritus" QB clash between Darnold and maybe Rodgers, which would make this a weird battle of ex-Jets starters, too.
18. New England Patriots (vs. Raiders)
The Patriots have former Raiders coach Josh McDaniels back as their offensive coordinator. The Raiders have former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as a part owner. Veteran defensive-minded coaches Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel will match wits leading their new teams. This is a weird game of connections that also can be entertaining, with quarterbacks Drake Maye and Geno Smith getting plenty of help around their offenses in the offseason.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Cowboys)
The Raiders' schedule is tough by virtue of playing in an AFC West in which the other three teams all made the playoffs last year. They also play the NFC East, with the Eagles and Commanders games both on the road. Getting the Cowboys at home will be a classic throwback, with Carroll coaching against his former Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys can also wonder what could have been when they see Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty go to work.
20. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Packers)
The Cowboys have lost some luster of late, as the Commanders have displaced their divisional jockeying with the Eagles. The Packers, even further removed from Mike McCarthy as coach, can share the frustration of having a lot of regular-season winning with little to show for it in the playoffs. Dak Prescott vs. Jordan Love is a pivotal "prove it again" matchup.
21. Miami Dolphins (vs. Ravens)
The Dolphins are kind of a meh team in the muddled middle after missing the playoffs with Mike McDaniel last season. A matchup against the Ravens stands out for facing Jackson in his homecoming game, and it's great for those who have a need for speed with Tyreek Hill on the other side.
22. Minnesota Vikings (at Chargers)
The Vikings are headed toward starting J.J. McCarthy at QB after his rookie season was wiped out by a knee injury. Minnesota has plenty of notable games, including the six inside the NFC North, but this has some extra punch with McCarthy facing off vs. his former Michigan coach and also facing Jesse Minter's Michigan-adjacent defense.
23. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Broncos)
The Colts don't have much buzz going into the season with Anthony Richardson trying to maintain fading top QB status vs. newcomer Daniel Jones. But the "Peyton Manning Bowl" has some intrigue with Bo Nix on the other side.
24. Denver Broncos (at Commanders)
Speaking of Nix, it will be a ton of fun to watch him duel Daniels for the first time, with Sean Payton matching wits with Dan Quinn.
25. New York Giants (vs. Cowboys)
Even though the quarterbacks are changing again for New York, the annual matchups with Dallas shine brightest, especially with the chance of a Giants rise and the Cowboys fade.
26. Cleveland Browns (vs. Steelers)
The Browns don't have a lot of heft here, but there's a chance we can see Shedeur Sanders start against a team that somewhat-surprisingly chose not to draft him at all.
27. Tennessee Titans (vs. Patriots)
The Titans will go to work with Cam Ward vs. Drake Maye against former long-time coach Mike Vrabel.
28. Atlanta Falcons (vs. Rams)
The Falcons hired Raheem Morris and Zac Robinson away from the Rams, putting in some of that team's former schemes. The big arm of Michael Penix Jr. could get a workout with Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams on the other side.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Chargers)
Trevor Lawrence and Herbert have a brief playoff history, and there's plenty of pressure on these highly drafted young veterans to come through in 2025 after each got mega second contracts that so far have overshadowed their play.
30. New Orleans Saints (at Titans)
This is setting up to be Tyler Shough vs. Cam Ward in a battle of top rookie QBs in 2025.
31. Carolina Panthers (at Jaguars)
Bryce Young vs. fellow No. 1 overall pick Lawrence will be something, as will the offensive coaching duel between former Buccaneers coordinators Dave Canales and Liam Coen.
32. Arizona Cardinals (at Cowboys)
The Cardinals have lost some marquee elements despite having Kyler Murray, but his return to his home state of Texas to face Prescott can be thrilling and critical for two squads trying to get back on the playoff track.
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