Looking ahead to the 2025 NFL schedule release
Jim Reineking
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In case you missed it during all of the hoopla that was last weekend's draft, the NFL announced that the 2025 schedule would be released on May 14.
Soon, you'll know your weekly appointment viewing of "Thursday Night Football" games, "Sunday Night Football" games, "Monday Night Football" games and good old-fashioned Sunday afternoon games.
Here's what we know ...
- As defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles will host the NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday, Sept. 4.
- There will be three games on Thanksgiving Day. As per tradition, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys will host games.
- There will be one game on Black Friday.
- There will be three games on Christmas Day. Two will air on Netflix, and the night game on Amazon.
- There will be a record seven International Series games: Three in London (the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets are the designated home teams), one game in Berlin (the Indianapolis Colts are the designated home team), one game in São Paulo, Brazil (the Los Angeles Chargers are the designated home team), one game in Madrid, Spain (the Miami Dolphins are the designated home team) and one game in Dublin, Ireland (the Pittsburgh Steelers are the designated home team).
- The playoffs will start on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
- Super Bowl 60 will be held on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The ideal opponent for the Eagles' season-opening game is a popular topic of discussion at this time of year, and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz ranked the candidates:
8. Las Vegas Raiders: The Silver and Black have plenty of new pieces in place – including coach Pete Carroll – but other than first-round running back Ashton Jeanty, they're all recycled entities.
7. New York Giants: The Saquon Barkley subplot is officially out of gas as this rivalry retakes its place as one of the NFL's most lopsided affairs.
6. Dallas Cowboys: This might be the least exciting that "America's Team" has been in some time.
5. Denver Broncos: Denver showed in last season's wild-card flameout against the Buffalo Bills that it's not ready to run with the league's top contenders just yet.
4. Chicago Bears: This showdown is worthy of a standalone window – just not the first of the season.
3. Washington Commanders: Only a matchup this juicy could warrant breaking protocol for installing divisional games as the season opener.
2. Los Angeles Rams: A rematch of last season's NFC divisional playoff tilt feels like the first legitimate contender for the opener slot on this list.
1. Detroit Lions: Pitting these teams against one another to kick off 2025 would be a fitting way to show fans what they missed when the Lions were knocked out in the divisional round last season.
NFL news, notes and analysis
➤ 2027 NFL Draft to D.C.: A formal announcement is expected Monday.
➤ Power rankings: How did the draft impact the league's hierarchy? Take a look!
➤ Phil Simms won't let Abdul Carter wear No. 11: The Giants' Super Bowl-winning quarterback was "outvoted by family," meaning the team's first-round pick now has been rebuffed by two team legends.
➤ Commanders announce deal for new stadium in DC: The team formally announced its intentions to build a new stadium on the site of old RFK Stadium in the District of Columbia.
➤ Jordan Travis retires due to leg injury: Travis' decision comes after he spent his rookie season recovering from a catastrophic left leg injury he suffered during his final college game at Florida State.
➤ What is going on with Bill Belichick? When Belichick was coaching the New England Patriots, he was one of the game's most controlling people ("We're on to Cincinnati."). Now? This Belichick is almost recognizable.
📷 Belichick's girlfriend, Jordon Hudson | Belichick through the years
⬆️ Vibes check ⬇️
⬆️ Justin Jefferson: F1 driver Oscar Piastri hit the griddy after winning Sunday's Miami Grand Prix, keeping his word after meeting the Minnesota Vikings' star receiver.
⬆️ Jalen Ramsey: Could the seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback be in store for a reunion with the Rams?
⬆️ Rookie minicamps: Most NFL teams will host draft choices and undrafted free agents later this week, including getting a first look at No. 1 pick Cam Ward in a Tennessee Titans uniform.
⬇️ Jordon Hudson: Bill Belichick's girlfriend is just the latest in a long line of significant others, parents, siblings, friends and hangers on who’ve had outsized roles and influence in the careers of sports figures. Even Charles Barkley is concerned.
NFL classics: Straight from the YouTube algorithm 🏈🎞️
This is where we reprise some NFL lore and recall classic, memorable moments from yesteryear.
Last weekend, Cam Ward became the 37th quarterback to be taken with the No. 1 overall selection in the NFL draft. Some – John Elway, Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning – have become among the greatest to ever play the position. Others – JaMarcus Russell, Terry Baker – were total busts in the NFL.
Then there's Jeff George.
35 years ago, the Indianapolis Colts selected George with the No. 1 pick in the 1990 draft. He might be one of the most polarizing players ever selected atop the draft. He played for five different teams over 12 NFL seasons, throwing for a career-high 4,143 yards in 1995 and leading the league (3,917 yards) in 1997. His 27,602 career passing yards ranks just behind Joe Namath (27,602), and ahead of notable Hall of Famers such as Bob Griese, Bart Starr, Norm Van Brocklin and Roger Staubach (of course, it should be noted each of whom played in a less passer-friendly era than George).
The quarterback with a rocket arm had moments of brilliance and moments of buffoonery.
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