|
The NFL’s 2025 preseason schedule is loaded with storylines, from rising stars to long-standing rivalries. These prime-time matchups go beyond warm-ups; they preview key battles, spotlight rookies, and hint at what could shape the season ahead.
1. Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills – Week 1, Sept. 7
Sunday Night Football provides its signature excitement as MVP candidates Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen square off in a rematch of their unforgettable playoff battle.
The Ravens added DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason, hoping to tip the scales in a rivalry that has eluded them. Expect fireworks, and perhaps postseason déjà vu. The Ravens-Bills rematch headlines early-season NFL betting news, especially with MVP-caliber quarterbacks on both sides and strong implications for playoff seeding.
2. Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles – Week 11, Nov. 16
This NFC clash has “unfinished business” written all over it. The Eagles narrowly missed facing the Lions in last season’s championship game, and both offenses are built to push the pace. With stars like Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and Jared Goff on the field, fans will finally get the showdown they wanted.
3. Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs – Week 8, Oct. 27
Jayden Daniels meets Patrick Mahomes in what could be a generational QB handoff. The Commanders have gone from rebuild to relevance in one season, while the Chiefs continue to set the standard.
This President’s Bowl, as fans are calling it, could preview a future Super Bowl matchup, or at least a new rivalry. With Jayden Daniels gaining momentum and Patrick Mahomes leading a reloaded Chiefs roster, this game could shift how fans and analysts interpret early preseason odds across both conferences.
4. Chargers at Raiders – Week 2, Sept. 15
Old-school coaching beef takes center stage as Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll resume their legendary feud. With new faces like Ashton Jeanty and Geno Smith joining the Raiders, and Carroll turning 74 on game day, the storylines here run deep. Expect drama, noise, and plenty of bold play-calling in Vegas.
5. Bears at Commanders – Week 6, Oct. 13
Last season’s Hail Mary heartbreak still stings in Chicago. Now, top 2024 picks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels run it back under brighter lights. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson brings renewed hope, but Daniels and a reloaded Washington roster will be a tough nut to crack for the No. 1 overall pick.
6. Broncos at Chiefs – Week 17, Dec. 25
Christmas night football in Arrowhead Stadium sets up a high-stakes AFC West duel. Denver’s late-season surge in 2024 made headlines, but can they stop Mahomes from locking down another division crown? The Broncos’ stingy defense meets one of the league’s most versatile offenses in a clash that could decide playoff seeding.
7. Eagles at Packers – Week 10, Nov. 10
The infamous “Tush Push” play looms large over this rematch of last season’s wild-card round. Green Bay campaigned to ban it. Philly kept it. Now, they’ll battle again on Monday night. With both squads returning most of their core talent, this game should be just as physical – and just as personal.
8. Bengals at Broncos – Week 4, Sept. 29
Last year’s meeting delivered a classic. Joe Burrow and Bo Nix traded blows in a 30-24 thriller that helped keep the Bengals’ season alive. This time, the stakes remain high as both teams eye the postseason. With Denver’s elite defense and Cincinnati’s aerial attack, it’s a stylistic and strategic chess match.
What These Matchups Say About 2025
These 8 games offer insights into how rosters are evolving, how rookies are being developed, and how coaching philosophies are clashing in real time. They also serve as early checkpoints for evaluating player performance, testing offensive schemes, and putting player chemistry under the spotlight. With this much at stake, expect fireworks.
