2025 NFL Schedule: Six Key Week 1 Matchups To Watch

The NFL released the schedule for the 2025 season.

Week 1 begins on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

Several big matchups and many divisional contests will take place in week 1.

Key Week 1 NFL Matchups

Although the NFL season is still a few months away, fans are rushing to see their teams’ schedules for the 2025 season.

Many big matchups and key divisional contests are set for week 1.

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, September 4, 2025, NBC

The first week one contest is a big matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles start their season against a division rival.

Dallas looks to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season. George Pickens will make his first start as a Cowboy on the road in a big matchup.

Kickoff is set for 8:20 PM EST for this contest.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers, Friday, September 5, 2025, YouTube

Another divisional contest will take place for the second game of the NFL season.

This contest will be played in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday, September 5, at 8 PM EST, and the game will be aired on YouTube.

The Chiefs lost in the Super Bowl last year as they failed to three-peat as champions.

Los Angeles took a big step forward last year and looks to continue to do so this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ New York Jets, Sunday, September 7, 2025, CBS

The NFL is funny with its schedule at times.

Justin Fields is now a New York Jet after spending last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers failed to bring him back in the offseason, and Fields’ first start as a Jet will be against the team that benched him midseason in favor of Russell Wilson.

Another funny part about this is the anticipation that Aaron Rodgers will sign with the Steelers. The schedule all but confirms that it is a matter of time before Rodgers signs with the Steelers. Rodgers has been with the Jets for the last two years, and if/when he signs with the Steelers, his first game will be against the team that released him.

Kickoff for this contest is set for 1 PM EST.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers, Sunday, September 7, 2025, CBS

This is a huge divisional contest between the Lions and Packers.

Last season, the Lions won the NFC North with a record of 15-2 but lost in the NFC Divisional round.

Green Bay had a record of 11-6 but lost in the wild-card round against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Eagles.

While week 1 is not make or break, this is a colossal divisional contest between these two teams.

Kickoff is set for 4:25 PM EST.

Baltimore Ravens @ Buffalo Bills, Sunday, September 7, 2025, NBC

The first Sunday Night Football contest is a big one between two Super Bowl contenders.

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens will take on Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

This game features two of the best teams in the league and two of the best QBs in the league.

Allen and Jackson are both MVP candidates, and both of their teams are considered Super Bowl contenders because of their elite play.

Kickoff for this massive AFC showdown is set for 8:20 PM EST.

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears, Monday, September 8, 2025, ABC & ESPN

This is a highly intriguing divisional matchup for week 1.

JJ McCarthy is expected to be under center week 1, and his first contest in the NFL will be on the road at Soldier Field.

The Vikings had a record of 14-3 last season with Sam Darnold under center. They faltered late and lost in week 18 in a game if they won, would have given them home-field advantage in the playoffs and the number one seed in the NFC. The Vikings got smashed by the LA Rams in the wild-card round.

Chicago is hoping Caleb Williams takes a major step in year two. The Bears have done everything possible in the offseason to help him succeed. Ben Johnson is the new head coach after doing an excellent job as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. The Bears revamped their offensive line.

Kickoff for this divisional contest is set for 8:15 PM EST.