Five NFL games we can’t wait to watch in the 2025 season
The schedule for the 2025 NFL season has been released. Here are a few games on our must-watch list.
The 2025 NFL season opens with a bang with several intriguing games on the NFL Week 1 schedule.
Among them: The Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football, the Kansas City Chiefs against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night, the Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers Sunday afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, and the Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
Which teams will win NFL Week 1 games?
Check out our NFL Week 1 picks and NFL Week 1 predictions for the 16 NFL games this week.
All times MST. Click on each game for more Week 1 NFL picks, predictions and NFL Week 1 odds for that matchup.
NFL Week 1 picks: Cowboys vs Eagles | Chiefs vs Chargers | Buccaneers vs Falcons | Bengals vs Browns | Dolphins vs Colts | Panthers vs Jaguars | Raiders vs Patriots | Cardinals vs Saints | Steelers vs Jets | Giants vs Commanders | Titans vs Broncos | 49ers vs Seahawks | Lions vs Packers | Texans vs Rams | Ravens vs Bills | Vikings vs Bears | The Republic’s score predictions
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Thursday Night Football prediction, Sept. 4
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles, 5:20 p.m., NBC (stream on Peacock)
Will the Eagles have a Super Bowl championship hangover in Week 1? Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley will make some big plays late to help Philadelphia open its NFL title defense with a win over its NFC East rival.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Cowboys 21
Friday NFL game prediction, Sept. 5
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers, 5 p.m., YouTube (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
This game is being played in Brazil, and it could be a good one. The Chargers have lost seven straight games to the Chiefs, an AFC West division rival. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will make it eight.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, Chargers 23
Sunday early NFL game predictions, Sept. 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
Michael Penix Jr. threw three touchdown passes and had three passes intercepted in the only games he saw extensive action in last season. He’s had an offseason to get more reps, but Tampa Bay’s defense will wreak some havoc in this game.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Falcons 17
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
The Bengals can’t afford another slow start to the season after going 0-3 in their first three games last year on their way to a 9-8 overall record. Joe Burrow will make sure that doesn’t happen in Cleveland.
Prediction: Bengals 27, Browns 20
Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
How will Daniel Jones fare in his first start in Indianapolis? There may be some growing pains for Danny Dimes in the Colts’ offense. Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins will be able to outscore their opponent.
Prediction: Dolphins 31, Colts 20
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
The Panthers were just 5-12 last season, but they had some very close losses against good teams. Bryce Young and company will start the 2025 season off with a close win over the Jaguars.
Prediction: Panthers 23, Jaguars 20
Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
Is Drake Maye ready to take a step forward for the Patriots? New England had a busy offseason trying to put him in a position to succeed. It will pay off in Week 1 against the Raiders.
Prediction: Patriots 21, Raiders 17
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
There’s been some talk about the Cardinals potentially being a sleeper playoff team in the NFC. Kyler Murray’s performance in Week 1 will add fuel to the fire of that conversation.
Prediction: Cardinals 27, Saints 16
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets, 10 a.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback in Pittsburgh, for now, and Justin Fields is the QB of Rodgers’ old team in New York, making this an intriguing matchup. It will be an ugly one.
Prediction: Steelers 20, Jets 17
New York Giants at Washington Commanders, 10 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
The NFL QB carousel put Russell Wilson with the Giants. How long will he be the starting QB? Some whispers might be heard if he has a slow start against the Commanders.
Prediction: Commanders 30, Giants 21
Sunday late NFL game predictions, Sept. 7
Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos, 1:05 p.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
The Titans took Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he could have a great career in Tennessee. It just won’t get off to a great start against the Broncos‘ defense.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Titans 14
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 p.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
The Seahawks decided to go with Sam Darnold at QB. Was it the right move? Seattle could end up looking really smart after this game.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, 49ers 23
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers, 1:25 p.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
The Lions have won their last three games against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Jared Goff will make it four straight with a big win in Week 1.
Prediction: Lions 27, Packers 24
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
Quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to be ready to go for this game, but running back Kyren Williams will be the player people will be talking about after this intriguing NFL Week 1 game against Houston.
Prediction: Rams 24, Texans 17
Sunday Night Football prediction, Sept. 7
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills, 5:20 p.m., NBC (stream on Peacock)
These teams were tied with the Eagles in Super Bowl odds entering NFL Week 1 and could easily meet in the AFC title game. The last time they played, the Bills got a 27-25 Divisional Round win at the Ravens. Lamar Jackson and company will get some revenge in this game.
Prediction: Ravens 30, Bills 27
Monday Night Football prediction, Sept. 8
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears, 5:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC (stream with FUBO)
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is set to make his first NFL start after being injured last season. Will the Monday Night Football lights be too bright for him? We don’t think so.
Prediction: Vikings 21, Bears 20
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