NFL teams on a bye this week: Full schedule of Week 6 byes for Vikings and Texans

Week 5 of the NFL season marked the first time in 2025 that not all 32 teams were in action, as the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, and Pittsburgh Steelers enjoyed the season’s first byes. This week, two more teams will sit out.

The Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings have a Week 6 bye, while the other 30 teams take the field. Here’s what you need to know about the teams that won’t be playing.

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NFL teams on a bye this week

This week, only two teams have a bye: the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings. The teams have had very different starts to the season and sit on opposite sides of the .500 line.

Minnesota has stayed above water despite the absence of starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who injured his ankle in a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. With Carson Wentz leading the offense, the Vikings are 2-1 in games without McCarthy and 3-2 overall, coming off a last-minute win against the Cleveland Browns in London.

Houston, on the other hand, got off to a slow start, dropping three of its first games. But heading into the bye week, the Texans have turned things around with consecutive dominant wins, beating the Tennessee Titans 26-0 and the Baltimore Ravens 44-10. In a competitive AFC South, Houston sits at 2-3.

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NFL bye weeks schedule 2025

Each NFL team has one bye, starting in Week 5. Bye weeks will run from Week 5 to Week 14, with the exception of Week 13, where the NFL hosts three Thanksgiving games.

Here’s a look at when each team will get some rest.

Week 5

Chicago BearsGreen Bay PackersAtlanta FalconsPittsburgh Steelers

Week 6

Minnesota VikingsHouston Texans

Week 7

Buffalo BillsBaltimore Ravens

Week 8

Detroit LionsArizona CardinalsLos Angeles RamsSeattle SeahawksJacksonville JaguarsLas Vegas Raiders

Week 9

Philadelphia EaglesTampa Bay BuccaneersNew York JetsCleveland Browns

Week 10

Dallas CowboysCincinnati BengalsTennessee TitansKansas City Chiefs

Week 11

New Orleans SaintsIndianapolis Colts

Week 12

Washington CommandersMiami DolphinsDenver BroncosLos Angeles Chargers

Week 13

Week 14

New York GiantsCarolina PanthersSan Francisco 49ersNew England Patriots

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