Three unmissable NFL matchups to circle before the full 2025 schedule drops tonight
The full 2025 NFL schedule will be revealed tonight at 8pm ET (1am BST), but fans already have plenty to discuss.
A few key matchups were released early, offering a sneak preview of the drama, rivalries, and playoff implications ahead. Here are three games to mark in your calendar while we wait for the full slate to drop.
The season kicks off with a bang as the Eagles and Cowboys reignite their rivalry
The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will kick off the 2025 NFL season at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, September 4, hosting longtime division foes, the Dallas Cowboys.
This NFC East showdown has been one of the league's fiercest rivalries for over six decades, and the stakes feel even higher this time. With the Eagles set to raise their championship banner in front of a packed home crowd, the Cowboys will be fired up to crash the party and get revenge after being swept by Philly in 2024.
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The opener will also mark the regular-season debuts of each team's first-round picks: Linebacker Jihaad Campbell for the Eagles and guard Tyler Booker for the Cowboys. But all eyes will be on quarterback Jalen Hurts and record-breaking running back Saquon Barkley as they begin the Eagles' title defense.
Meanwhile, Dak Prescott will make his long-awaited return from the hamstring injury, which prematurely ended his 2024 season. He'll look to jumpstart Dallas' offense and build early chemistry with new top wideout George Pickens, acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade.
Chiefs land marquee slot in Christmas Day tripleheader
While the full Christmas Day slate hasn't been revealed, the Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos matchup makes one thing clear: the NFL is doubling down on its push to make Christmas a major football showcase.
This announcement marks the third consecutive year that Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs will take center stage on Christmas Day. This time, they'll face a familiar foe—the Denver Broncos—in a divisional matchup that could carry serious playoff stakes.
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The Broncos, led by promising young quarterback Bo Nix, will hand a debut to rookie running back R.J. Harvey, their second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Harvey is expected to play a key role right out of the gate and could be a major factor in this high-profile showdown.
While the Chiefs once dominated the rivalry with a 16-game win streak from 2015 to 2023, recent history tells a different story—Kansas City has dropped two of its last three games against Denver and will be hungry to reclaim control.
Steelers headline Ireland's first-ever regular season NFL game
The NFL is officially coming to Ireland, and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be the team making history. They'll participate in the first-ever regular season game played on Irish soil—a massive moment for the league's international expansion plans and a dream come true for fans nationwide.
For Pittsburgh, the trip means more than just another game. The Rooney family, who founded and still own the team, trace their roots back to Ireland. Bringing Steelers football to a country that shares a connection with the team makes the matchup even more special.
The Steelers' opponent and kickoff date are still under wraps, but one thing's certain: Irish fans are preparing for an unforgettable experience. After years of watching from a distance, they'll finally see the NFL live—with one of the most iconic teams leading the way.
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