Three blockbuster games highlight the Week 1 schedule.
Week 1 typically sets up the whole season, and this year’s schedule features several terrific contests. I picked three games to discuss below, but could have added more. Consider these other juicy options: Chiefs at Chargers (Friday) and Lions at Packers (late game Sunday afternoon).
There’s much to look forward to, and I especially love these opening week matchups.
Dak is ready for ’25 (photo courtesy BloggingTheBoys)
Thursday, September 4, Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles 8:20 p.m. ET: Ah, another week one opener that many NFL fans cannot wait for. Typically, the opener of the NFL season has the Super Bowl champion from the previous year against a rising team with something to prove. This year does not disappoint. Thus begins the Eagles’ road to the Super Bowl with a chance at a repeat. Even though they lost some players in free agency, they still have Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, potentially the best offensive line in football, A.J. Brown, and Super Bowl defensive stars Zack Baun and Cooper DeJean. Meanwhile, Dallas is introducing the Brian Schottenheimer era. During the offseason, the Cowboys acquired George Pickens from the Steelers to line up beside CeeDee Lamb and help Dak Prescott, as he returns from a hamstring injury that cut his 2024 season short. The Cowboys will have a chance to dethrone the Eagles and to show everyone they mean business in 2025.
CJ Stroud, one of the league’s best young QBs (photo, Forbes)
Sunday, September 7, Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams 4:25 p.m. ET: This is an exciting matchup. Both teams’ divisions are up for grabs, and they have incredibly high aspirations for the 2025 season after getting handed losses in the Divisional Round by the two Super Bowl teams. The Texans and Rams have returning core talent, and they both went out and acquired new pieces. The Rams signed Davante Adams to replace Cooper Kupp, who went to the Seahawks. By signing with the Rams, they have an incredible WR duo in Adams and Puka Nacua, with veteran Matthew Stafford throwing them the ball. The Texans have a young quarterback in C.J. Stroud, starting year three in the league. He had to overcome a problematic second year to get his team back to the top of the AFC, though they did win a second consecutive AFC South title. This will also be Stroud’s first season with new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who will debut as a former apple of McVay’s coaching tree. In addition, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is familiar with playing against the Rams from his days in San Francisco as their defensive coordinator.
Josh vs. Lamar, again! (photo courtesy CNN)
Sunday, September 7, Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills 8:20 p.m. ET: This game has it all. The fireworks. The suspense. Two hard-nose defenses. But the main matchup is a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Round: Bills QB Josh Allen versus Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. NFL fans should be ecstatic that it is on Sunday Night Football. Allen collected his first AP NFL MVP honor just a season ago as his team defeated two-time MVP and fellow dynamic double-threat QB Lamar Jackson. Some of the game’s top running backs, Ravens’ Derrick Henry and Bills’ James Cook, are also in play. They have been an immense help in lifting the Bills and the Ravens to the number two and three seeds, respectively. Many storylines will arise before this game kicks off. It is a matchup between two elite AFC heavyweights.
