2025 NFL games to watch

Wed May 14 8:28pm ET
Field Level Media

Pack your bags. The NFL is heading to Spain, Brazil, Ireland, Germany -- and London, of course -- and has loaded up on compelling domestic encounters in the U.S. in a 2025 season that begins in the City of Brotherly Love with a pairing of hated NFC East rivals.

NFL teams and fanbases have known their regular-season opponents for months, but the sequence of the schedule brings the road map to Santa Clara, Calif., and Super Bowl LX into sharp focus.

With the regular-season calendar complete minus a flex schedule audible or three, here are the games we find most compelling:

Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 14

Super Bowl opponents in two of the past three seasons, the greatest threat to a constant Chiefs' victory lap is the Eagles. Credit the mastery of front-office guru Howie Roseman for restocking the Eagles on the fly, adding high-end talent to complement existing core players while Kansas City has something to prove due to a dud in New Orleans last February.

Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs, Oct. 12

When these teams met to open the 2023 season, the Lions declared their legitimacy with a 21-20 win, holding the Chiefs to a pair of second-half field goals. For most of last season, they appeared to be on a collision course in Super Bowl LIX with matching 15-2 records in the regular season.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sept. 4

The first game of the 2025 regular season puts the spotlight on the reigning Super Bowl champions, who also had a primetime feature in 2024 and beat the Green Bay Packers in Brazil.

Dallas always draws an audience, but can the Cowboys measure up? Dak Prescott is 9-4 in his career against the Eagles and returns from a season-ending hamstring injury that cost him the final 10 games of the 2024 season. He lines up behind a reconfigured offensive line knowing the Eagles made Patrick Mahomes look mortal under constant duress when we last saw their defense.

By the time Super Bowl LIX banners are raised and rings fitted, the Cowboys will have plenty of reminders that the Eagles are world champions - and the Cowboys are not for the 30th consecutive season. And those reminders will pave the path to Philly's first game since beating the Chiefs to cap an 18-3 season defined by a dominant running game, Saquon Barkley's season for the ages and a loaded defense. Unaccustomed to taking a bow against the Cowboys while going winless in the matchup as a member of the Giants, Barkley (2-10 career vs. Dallas) had 45 carries for 233 yards and swept America's Team last season. The Cowboys mustered a grand total of 13 points in two blowout losses (34-6 and 41-7).

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers, Monday, Nov. 10

A primetime rematch at Lambeau after Philly took two from the Packers last season -- one in Brazil and another in the NFC wild-card game -- it will be the first time the Packers get the Eagles on their home turf since 2020. That 30-16 win was Aaron Rodgers (three TD passes) vs. Jalen Hurts, and was followed by the Packers' current three-game losing streak in the series.

Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 28

Lamar Jackson came within a toenail -- Isaiah Likely's -- of pulling the Ravens to a 27-26 deficit in the Week 1 loss at Kansas City last season. Likely's TD catch was overturned upon replay review because he had a toe land out of bounds. Head coach John Harbaugh never had the chance to go for the game-winning two-point conversion he insisted was planned, but this semi-regular matchup has multiple memorable moments in late-game situations.

Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles, Nov. 16

The Lions have ruled the regular season two years in a row, all without playing in the Super Bowl. The NFC Championship currently goes through Philadelphia, where the Lions last visited in 2019. The Eagles beat the Lions 38-35 in Detroit in 2022 behind four rushing touchdowns and a 10-catch, 155-yard effort from WR A.J. Brown.

Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders, Oct. 13

We were tempted to tease the Ben Johnson return to Detroit and are intrigued by other matchups involving Caleb Williams, but Chicago's most interesting game involving compelling subplots is the rematch of last season's Fail Mary defeat at Washington. Williams, who is from the DC area, had the Bears in position to beat Jayden Daniels and the Commanders until a 52-yard bomb won it for Washington and spelled the beginning of the end for fired head coach Matt Eberflus.

Daniels was the No. 2 pick last season, right after the Bears drafted Williams, and looked like one of the best at the position with two wild-card playoff road wins to cap his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.

Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Nov. 2

OK, we get it. You are looking for something other than another Chiefs matchup, too. We can understand your desire to avoid the KC hype machine, but the history between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen should pull in viewers no matter the stakes. Allen is 0-4 against the Chiefs in the playoffs, but 4-1 in the regular season. Allen, 28, won a tight MVP race over Lamar Jackson, another 28-year-old veering into Rivers and Moon Territory as the best quarterback unable to reach a Super Bowl. To get there, taking down the Chiefs most likely would be part of the mission.

Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers, Oct. 26

Short of the NFL giving us a Tuesday night game to celebrate the 42nd birthday of Aaron Rodgers (Dec. 2), the only other thing that could make this a better draw would be playing it at Lambeau Field and having a jersey retirement at halftime for 'ol (said with emphasis) No. 12. He has not signed a thing, but we are still betting Rodgers suits up for the Steelers and goes toe-to-toe with Jordan Love in a dramatic duel we'll all be ready for because of a tireless hype machine pregame.

Worth Watching:

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills, Sept. 7

The Ravens annihilated Buffalo 35-10 behind 199 rushing yards from Derrick Henry last September, then coughed up the rematch in January in the AFC divisional playoffs, 27-25, in the game Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews wants deleted from the NFL Films archives. Buffalo came up with three takeaways to claim the win.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings, Nov. 30

Sam Darnold's weaknesses were on display in Seahawks' highlighter green down the stretch for the Vikings last season. Will he recover to be a capable replacement for Geno Smith in Seattle and beat his replacement in Minnesota, J.J. McCarthy?

San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans, Oct. 26

Former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans knows where the bodies are buried in the Kyle Shanahan scheme, and vice versa. An overhaul of Houston's offensive line might have harsh repercussions if GM Nick Caserio didn't push the right buttons. But it's the Texans' defense -- namely the pass rush and secondary -- that we're eager to see in action.

New York Giants at Denver Broncos, Oct. 19

Will Russ be cooking when he makes his way to Denver two years removed from his friction-filled tenure as Sean Payton's pupil? He was hurt last season when the Steelers traveled to beat the Broncos and polished QB Bo Nix.

Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins, Nov. 16

In a game long rumored to be ticketed for Madrid instead of Miami, a tantalizing pairing of offensive masterminds should be enough of a draw. The potential contenders - if the Dolphins are healthy - feature a boatload of talent and interesting matchups across the board.

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Player Notes
Justin Fields Jul 28 9:00am CT
Justin Fields

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields, who dislocated his toe last week, is practicing on Monday in 11-on-11 drills, Adam Schefter reports. This is an encouraging sign for the Jets and Fields, as he was carted off the field last Thursday with a toe injury. All signs since last Friday have suggested that he has been making progress from the injury over the past few days, and there's a good chance we see Fields suit up for preseason action if this trend continues. Currently, Fields ranks as QB15, according to NFBC, which aligns with RotoBallers' ranking of QB13. The key to monitoring Fields is ensuring that he is moving around well and actively involved in the run game, as this is what elevates his fantasy floor and ceiling. If the toe injury slows him down on the ground, this limits his potential upside and knocks him out of the conversation as a QB1 in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Warren Jul 28 8:50am CT
Tyler Warren

Indianapolis Colts rookie tight-end Warren has looked the part of a professional, and projections for his rookie season seem to keep increasing with every strong practice he stacks, Destin Adams, beat writer for the Colts, reports. While this is encouraging news to hear for Warren's outlook as a pro, it's still relatively early to say he has it figured out. That being said, during the 2024 season, the Penn State tight end had a standout year, recording 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns, which earned him a first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2024 NFL draft. While he remains a strong play in dynasty formats, the uncertainty at the quarterback position limits his potential upside in redraft leagues. His current options are Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Warren currently ranks as the TE11, according to NFBC, which corresponds with his TE12 ranking at RotoBaller.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Jul 28 8:38am CT
Jake Ferguson

The Dallas Cowboys and standout tight end Jake Ferguson agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension on Sunday worth $52 million in new money with $30 million total guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Ferguson will receive a $12 million signing bonus. The 26-year-old took a step back in 2024, catching 59 of 86 targets for 494 yards and no touchdowns in 14 starts after going for a 71-761-5 line in 17 games in 2023. He was unable to take the next step due to quarterback Dak Prescott's season-ending hamstring injury. Receiver George Pickens will take valuable targets away from Ferguson in 2025, but as long as both he and Prescott stay healthy, Ferguson should improve on his numbers from a year ago. Fantasy managers should target him as a low-end TE1 if they decide to wait on the position.

Jahmyr Gibbs Jul 28 8:30am CT
Jahmyr Gibbs

Detroit Lions superstar running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been getting a lot of attention in the passing game during training camp to start the 2025 season, the Athletic reports. Gibbs, already established as a consensus top-10 pick in the 2025 fantasy football draft by most experts, is raising his ceiling already in PPR leagues with the potential to be more involved in the pass game for the Lions in 2025 compared to 2024. During the 2024 season, Gibbs broke out in a big way, accumulating 1,412 rushing yards on 250 rush attempts and scoring 16 rushing touchdowns. He also contributed through the air, with 517 receiving yards on 52 receptions, and four receiving touchdowns. With running back mate David Montgomery being healthy entering the season, Gibbs is likely to go back to a timeshare with Montgomery, limiting his upside, but if the Lions insist on getting Gibbs more involved in the pass game as well as running the ball, he could easily finish as the number one running back in fantasy football in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Isaac TeSlaa Jul 27 9:10pm CT
Isaac TeSlaa

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has been impressive early in training camp practices and could be close to earning some first-team reps, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Detroit gave up a haul of future draft assets to trade up in the third round and select TeSlaa back in April, so the team is clearly high on what he can be as a pro. The 23-year-old spent his final two college seasons at Arkansas, recording 28 catches for 545 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games in 2024. TeSlaa appears to be facing an uphill battle for playing time as a rookie, as the Lions have veterans Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, and Kalif Raymond ahead of him on the receiver depth chart. However, Patrick is playing on a one-year contract that expires at the end of the 2025 season. TeSlaa profiles as his future replacement and could potentially push Patrick for playing time in 2025 if he continues to play well throughout the preseason.

From RotoBaller

Drew Sanders Jul 27 8:50pm CT
Drew Sanders

Denver Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (foot) has suffered a tendon injury in his foot and will require further testing to determine his recovery timeline, according to Ian Rapoport. Rapoport reports that Sanders is "not expected back before the season begins" and will be out "an extended period of time." It's ominous news for Sanders, who was limited to just four games last season due to an Achilles tear he suffered last April. The 24-year-old was expected to play a key role in Denver's defense this season, but it appears the team will have to make do without him for at least the start of the regular season. The Broncos now have Alex Singleton and free-agent addition Dre Greenlaw penciled in as starters at off-ball linebacker, with Justin Strnad in place as a key reserve.

From RotoBaller

Deuce Vaughn Jul 27 8:40pm CT
Deuce Vaughn

Dallas Cowboys running back Deuce Vaughn (hamstring) missed the team's practice on Sunday with a left hamstring injury, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. Vaughn missed time with a similar injury in 2024, but Watkins relays that the current hamstring ailment is not considered to be as serious. The 23-year-old Vaughn was drafted by the Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2023 draft and has yet to make a significant NFL impact. In 14 career games. Vaughn has recorded 40 carries for 110 yards. There could be an opportunity for him to earn playing time in Dallas this season if he can get back to full strength. The Cowboys have veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders competing with Vaughn and rookie Jaydon Blue for snaps in the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Brian Burns Jul 27 8:30pm CT
Brian Burns

New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns (general soreness) returned to the practice field on Sunday after a collision with wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson led to both players leaving practice on Friday. Giants coach Brian Daboll said that Burns' snaps in practice could be limited as a precaution, but that he had not suffered any structural injuries. The two-time Pro-Bowler has been extremely durable in his career, suiting up in at least 15 games in each of his six NFL seasons. In his first year with the Giants in 2024, Burns played 17 games, recording 8.5 sacks and 17 TFLs. New York has some depth at edge rusher after using a first-round pick on Abdul Carter in the 2025 draft, but Burns is still a key piece of their defensive identity.

From RotoBaller

Minkah Fitzpatrick Jul 27 8:30pm CT
Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Miami Dolphins have added a $16.2 million signing bonus to the contract of recently-acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Fitzpatrick's contract had no guaranteed money left on it before the revision, and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told Schefter that he is still discussing a new long-term deal with the team. Miami acquired Fitzpatrick from the Pittsburgh Steelers along with a 2027 fifth-round pick in late June in exchange for defensive back Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and a 2027 seventh-rounder. Fitzpatrick actually began his career in Miami, but he's spent most of the last six seasons with Pittsburgh and has been named a first-team All-Pro three times. The 28-year-old has recorded 400 solo tackles and 20 interceptions in his career and will be expected to anchor the Dolphins' secondary in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Joey Bosa Jul 27 8:20pm CT
Joey Bosa

Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa (calf) said he feels "great" and gives himself a clean bill of health for Bills training camp, according to Nick Wojton of USA Today. Bosa missed the team's minicamp and OTAs with a calf injury, but he practiced in full earlier this week. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal worth over $12 million with Buffalo this past offseason after spending the first nine years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. He's a five-time Pro-Bowler who has recorded 72 career sacks and 156 QB hits. However, injuries have been a consistent issue for Bosa, especially in recent years. He played 14 games in 2024, but just 14 combined from 2022-23. The Bills are sure to manage his workload in the preseason and maybe even early in the regular season in the hopes he can be on the field for a potential Super Bowl push.

From RotoBaller

Allen Lazard Jul 27 8:00pm CT
Allen Lazard

The New York Jets' Allen Lazard has had "a very quiet" training camp thus far and is dropping in the team's wide receiver pecking order as a result, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports. Meanwhile, free-agent addition Josh Reynolds has emerged as the odds-on favorite for the No. 2 role opposite star Garrett Wilson. Lazard appeared in 12 games last year and caught 37 of 60 targets for 530 yards and six touchdowns. The belief during the offseason was that the Jets would move on from Lazard, particularly with the departure of his friend and longtime quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but he wound up taking a pay cut to stay. Now a member of what could be a run-heavy offense with Justin Fields replacing Rodgers, Lazard probably won't make much of an impact from a fantasy standpoint in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Evan McPherson Jul 27 8:00pm CT
Evan McPherson

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson converted all six of his field-goal attempts on Sunday to continue a spotless training camp. McPherson is off to an 18-for-18 start this summer as he looks to leave an underwhelming 2024 season behind him. After beginning his career with a productive three-year run, McPherson went backward last season in making just 16 of 22 field goals (72.7%), though he did knock in all but one of his 38 extra-point tries. The 26-year-old missed the Bengals' final five games because of a groin injury, but he has bounced back nicely from it so far. As part of a team with a high-powered offense, McPherson should get plenty of opportunities this year. He's RotoBaller's eighth-ranked kicker heading into the 2025 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Shedeur Sanders Jul 27 7:50pm CT
Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders is the only healthy quarterback on the roster who hasn't gotten any reps with the No. 1 offense in training camp, per Zac Jackson of The Athletic. The former Colorado standout, a fifth-round pick in this year's draft, is trailing behind Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookie third-rounder Dillon Gabriel. With that said, Saturday's practice was Sanders' best so far, according to Jackson, who notes that he "displayed touch and confidence." The 23-year-old will need to keep that up to earn a roster spot in a crowded QB room, though he'll have an opportunity at more reps if Pickett (hamstring) has to miss time because of the hamstring injury that he suffered Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Jul 27 7:30pm CT
Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is in a contract year, but he's not expecting an extension to come together. While Pierce told Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star that his representatives and the Colts did discuss a new deal "a while back," the plan is to "play the season out, kind of see where things go." A second-round pick from Cincinnati in 2022, Pierce has posted fewer than 40 catches per season, but he emerged as a major big-play threat last year. Pierce averaged a league-high 22.3 yards per catch on 37 grabs (69 targets) and led the Colts with seven receiving touchdowns. He's now building on that performance in camp, with Erickson noting that Pierce has been the Colts' most consistent receiver so far in practice. Unfortunately for Pierce, he has never had the benefit of high-level quarterback play in the NFL, and it's doubtful that will change this season with Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson Sr. battling for the starting job. Pierce also has to share targets with Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, each of whom amassed over 100 last year, as well as Adonai Mitchell and first-round tight end Tyler Warren. Those factors damage the 25-year-old's fantasy stock.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Jul 27 7:20pm CT
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler looks to be in the lead for the team's starting job, according to Jeff Nowak of WWL Radio Sports. Rattler received most of the reps at Sunday's practice as rookie Tyler Shough worked with the second team and Jake Haener was with the third team. While Haener is reportedly under consideration for the No. 1 role, he has always seemed like the longest shot of the group, and Sunday was the third time in four practices that he has worked with the third team. Rattler, a fifth-round pick out of South Carolina last year, started in six of seven appearances as a rookie and completed 57% of passes with four touchdowns against five interceptions. That wasn't enough to stop the Saints from making a fairly sizable investment in this year's draft in Shough, the 40th overall pick from Louisville. The 25-year-old is the only member of the trio who hasn't turned the ball over in camp yet, though Nowak notes that Shough hasn't taken many risks. It appears he'll have more work to do to overtake Rattler.

From RotoBaller

Trey Hendrickson Jul 27 6:00pm CT
Trey Hendrickson

According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is "still talking" with the front office regarding a new contract. "My understanding is the sides are still talking," said Pelissero. There is some back and forth." Hendrickson has been a force on the defensive side of the ball throughout his career, most recently combining for 35 sacks in the last two seasons. He has also been named to the Pro Bowl four times. The Bengals were successful in getting rookie Shemar Stewart to finally agree to his rookie contract. However, it will be interesting to see how things play out in this situation, considering both sides aren't willing to budge on guaranteed cash. Without question, the Bengals will need him on the field, especially since the defense struggled during the 2024 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Eli Apple Jul 27 5:50pm CT
Eli Apple

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, free-agent cornerback Eli Apple agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers on Sunday. The 2016 No. 10 overall pick has suited up for the Giants, Saints, Panthers, Bengals, Dolphins, and Chargers during his career. He has appeared in 102 regular-season contests, totaling 383 tackles and six interceptions. Unfortunately, Apple hasn't been as productive in recent seasons. While it's unknown how much work he'll see in San Francisco, he will at least add depth to a 49ers team that dealt with plenty of injuries throughout the 2024 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Eli Apple Jul 27 5:43pm CT
Eli Apple

The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent CB Eli Apple (Chargers) on Sunday, July 27, a source confirmed. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

From TheHuddle

Laviska Shenault Jr. Jul 27 5:40pm CT
Laviska Shenault Jr.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (leg) was activated off the active/non-football injury list on Sunday. The wideout was battling a lower leg strain, forcing him to miss the first four practices of training camp. He signed with the Bills in March after making stops in Jacksonville, Carolina, Seattle, and Los Angeles (Chargers) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He had a decent rookie campaign, finding the end zone five times. However, Shenault has only had two touchdowns ever since. Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer have both looked good during training camp, and Khalil Shakir doesn't appear to be in jeopardy of losing his spot on the depth chart. With that in mind, Shenault will have work to do in order to get meaningful snaps throughout the season. For now, he's not worth drafting in any fantasy format.

From RotoBaller

Dawson Knox Jul 27 5:20pm CT
Dawson Knox

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox was activated off the active/non-football injury list on Sunday. The veteran was dealing with a hamstring injury. Fortunately, his stint on the shelf didn't last too long. The 28-year-old has spent his entire career in Buffalo, totaling 193 catches (299 targets) for 2,277 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was once one of the most productive tight ends in the National Football League. However, since combining for 15 touchdowns during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, Knox has only found the end zone three times in the last two seasons. Although Dalton Kincaid has had his share of struggles, he's still the No. 1 tight end on the depth chart. While that doesn't necessarily mean Knox won't get looks from Josh Allen, he likely won't be consistent enough to warrant starting consideration in any fantasy format.

From RotoBaller