The NFL released the schedule of each team and as always there are many appealing games slotted for primetime in 2025. Primetime games are standalone games at night that the whole country watches whether it be Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football or Thursday Night Football. From potential Super Bowl previews, to top quarterback matchups, here are the five best primetime matchups.
Ranking the 5 Best 2025 Primetime matchups
5. Week 6 MNF Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears
The No.1 and No. 2 picks, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, of the 2024 NFL Draft face off with each other for the second time in their careers on the primetime stage. Last year, the two teams faced each other in Washington, where the Daniels and Commanders completed a last-second Hail Mary to defeat the Bears, which arguably became the turning point of the Bears’ season last year.
Williams got some reinforcements this offseason with the team hiring sought-after former Detroit Lions coach Ben Johnson to be the head coach. The Bears also remade their offensive line this season and added more perimeter weapons, so there will be real expectations on Williams and the Bears to find success in 2025.
Daniels and the Commanders are coming off a historic season in 2024 and are looking to build on that. This matchup is intriguing because Bears fans could either come away regretting they passed on Daniels for Williams, or they could feel confident in their decision if Williams takes care of business.
4. Week 8 SNF Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Aaron Rodgers Bowl? Rodgers has been connected to the Steelers all offseason, and signs point to him signing there to be the starting quarterback. If so, Rodgers will get his first and maybe only opportunity to play against the team that drafted him.
Rodgers was traded from the Packers to the New York Jets in 2023 after the Packers decided to move forward with Jordan Love, and although Rodgers doesn’t have much else to prove in his career, he could relish this opportunity to “stick it” to his former team. This season could also be the last year Rodgers plays in the NFL, so it will be somewhat poetic that he will get to play against his first team on likely his last team.
3. Week 3 MNF Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions
Even though this primetime matchup is early in the season, it could forecast a possible Super Bowl matchup. The Ravens and Lions will be among the favorites in their respective conference to make the Super Bowl, and we could see what a Super Bowl matchup could look like between these two early.
It will be an uphill climb for the Lions against Lamar Jackson in this week three matchup because Jackson has a 24-2 record against the NFC, including a blowout win over the Lions in 2023.
2. Week 11 SNF Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions
This primetime matchup between the Eagles and Lions could be a preview of a 2025 NFC playoff game. These two teams were the top two seeds in the NFC last year, with the Lions holding the number one seed. The Lions were upset in the playoffs, and the Eagles dominated their way through the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
Both these teams have two of the top rosters in the entire NFL, and Week 11 fans will get a chance to see the matchup many thought would be the NFC Championship matchup in 2024.
1. Week 1 SNF Baltimore Ravens vs Buffalo Bills
A 2024 AFC Divisional round rematch as the Ravens and Bills collide once again. It is the third time in a calendar year that the two teams will have played each other, having faced off in the regular season last year as well.
The Ravens destroyed the Bills in the regular season, 35-10, but took a heartbreaking loss to Buffalo in the Divisional round. It also helps that Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, respectively, finished first and second in MVP voting last season. Two of the league’s best quarterbacks squaring off is always must-see TV.
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