20 games to watch on the 2025 NFL schedule

Here are 20 games to watch on the 2025 NFL slate, from Aaron Rodgers’ triumphant return to the Meadowlands to another potential Russ Bowl at Empower Field at Mile High.

Week 1

Pittsburgh at New York Jets

Sunday, Sept. 7, 11 a.m., CBS

Tempting as it is to go with the Chiefs and Chargers slipping and sliding all over the Brazilian turf on Friday, Sept. 5, in Sao Paulo, we can’t resist QB Aaron Rodgers’ return to the Meadowlands for a matchup against former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields.

Baltimore at Buffalo

Sunday, Sept. 7, 6:20 p.m., NBC

Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Ravens counterpart Lamar Jackson split the NFL’s MVP awards last fall, marking the first time that’s happened in 21 years. The winner here gets an early leg up — in both the MVP race and the race for the AFC’s top seed.

Week 2

Philadelphia at Kansas City

Sunday, Sept. 14, 2:25 p.m., FOX

Did the Eagles put an end to the Chiefs’ dynasty with last February’s 40-22 beatdown in Super Bowl LIX? This game could provide an early clue as to how sturdy quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ squad truly is after five Super Bowl trips in six seasons.

Las Vegas at Los Angeles Chargers

Monday, Sept. 15, 8 p.m., ESPN

There’s no better coaching rivalry in football than Pete Carroll vs. Jim Harbaugh. It began in the Pac-12 with USC vs. Stanford, moved to the NFC West with Seattle vs. San Francisco, and now it comes to the AFC West. So, of course, the NFL buries it at 8 p.m. on a Monday.

Week 3

Houston at Jacksonville

Sunday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m., CBS

A relatively tepid Week 3 slate is saved by the presence of CU Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who could spend half his day trying to shake free of All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and the other half locking down Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins.

Week 4

Cincinnati at Denver

Monday, Sept. 29, 6:15 p.m., ABC

If this is anything like last December’s instant classic at Paycor Stadium — an overtime thriller that included a Bo Nix-to-Marvin Mims Jr. heave at the end of regulation and walk-off TD pass from Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins — then we’re in for a treat.

Week 5

San Francisco at Los Angeles Rams

Thursday, Oct. 2, 6:15 p.m., Amazon Prime

Plagued by injuries, Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers went from Super Bowl LIV to a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2024. After an exodus of talent in free agency, their hopes of returning to contention with a healthy Christian McCaffrey may very well hinge on this divisional matchup.

Week 6

Chicago at Washington

Monday, Oct. 13, 6:15 p.m., ABC

The top two picks in the 2024 draft meet again, with Chicago QB Caleb Williams looking to avenge last year’s Hail Mary heartbreaker. Jayden Daniels-to-Noah Brown ignited a 10-game Bears losing streak that led to the end of the Matt Eberflus era in Chicago.

Week 7

New York Giants at Denver

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2:05 p.m., CBS

An early-season Russell Wilson injury denied Broncos fans a true Russ Bowl when the Steelers came calling last fall. But good things come to those who wait … unless first-round pick Jaxson Dart has already taken Wilson’s job at this point. Another “petty game ball,” anyone?

Week 8

Green Bay at Pittsburgh

Sunday, Oct. 26, 6:20 p.m., NBC

If only this were at Lambeau Field. Alas, we must settle for Aaron Rodgers facing his former team — the one he quarterbacked to 11 playoff bids and a Super Bowl title, not the one currently digging itself out from his disastrous two-year tenure — in the Steel City.

Week 9

Kansas City at Buffalo

Sunday, Nov. 2, 2:25 p.m., CBS

Sign us up for any meeting between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Mahomes holds the head-to-head edge at 5-4 after winning January’s AFC title game, but Allen has won four straight regular-season meetings. Add a dash of snow and this is must-see TV.

Week 10

Atlanta vs. Indianapolis at Olympic Stadium, Berlin

Sunday, Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m., NFL

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. made his bones in the Crossroads of America, but his first game against an Indiana team will be in … Germany? The 2024 first-round pick showed flashes at the end of last season. Take another step, and Atlanta will contend in a winnable NFC South.

Week 11

Detroit at Philadelphia

Sunday, Nov. 16, 6:20 p.m., NBC

Washington’s playoff upset of Detroit robbed us of what could’ve been an epic NFC title game between the Lions and Eagles. Will Dan Campbell’s club remain explosive with former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson off to Chicago? A matchup against Philly’s D should reveal plenty.

Week 12

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles Rams

Sunday, Nov. 23, 6:20 p.m., NBC

Sean McVay and the Rams resurrected Baker Mayfield’s career with a brief cup of coffee at the end of the 2022 season. They’ll meet for the first time since, with the Heisman Trophy-winning QB now the leader of a Bucs franchise that’s won the NFC South four years in a row.

Week 13

Minnesota at Seattle

Sunday, Nov. 30, 2:05 p.m., FOX

QB Sam Darnold led Minnesota to 14 wins and a playoff berth, then the Vikings said “thanks, but no thanks” to offering him another contract with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings. Here’s guessing Darnold’s had this one circled for a while.

Week 14

Tennessee at Cleveland

Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m., FOX

Consider this a bet that Shedeur Sanders will be taking snaps for the Browns … and ready to prove his father and CU Buffs head coach Deion Sanders right by taking down No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward in a battle of Class of 2025 quarterbacks.

Week 15

Miami at Pittsburgh

Monday, Dec. 15, 6:15 p.m., ESPN

Head coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t had a losing record once in 18 seasons in Pittsburgh. Aurora native Mike McDaniel has won eight games or more in each of his three seasons as head coach in Miami. Both may need a big year to hold on to their jobs.

Week 16

Green Bay at Chicago

Saturday, Dec. 20, TBD, FOX

The best rivalry in football is also among the most one-sided, with the Packers holding a 26-5 edge in the series since 2010. If former Lions OC Ben Johnson is going to win over the Midway as the Bears’ new head coach, he must start beating the Pack first.