The NFL season will soon be underway and for fans, bettors, pundits and players, this is one of the most exciting points of the sports calendar.
For sports fans, this is when speculation reaches fever pitch as all those preseason hopes and fears meet the hard reality of the NFL. For newcomers to online sportsbooks, it’s a time when the bookmakers are at their busiest, and betting offers are most abundant. While for pundits, this is where the talking stops and the action begins.
The week one schedule has generated some fascinating matchups, but some games clearly standout. Here is the pick of the opening round of NFL games:
Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys
When the Eagles and Cowboys square off, there’s usually more on the line than just a week one win, and this year feels no different. Their 2024 meetings were both one-sided, with Philadelphia rolling despite Jalen Hurts missing one of those games with a concussion. What stood out most wasn’t just the victories, but the way the Eagles piled on points late in the season and into the playoffs, over 30 in seven of their last 17 outings.
For Dallas, things should look different this time around. Dak Prescott missed both games against Philadelphia last year, leaving the Cowboys’ offense a shell of itself. With Prescott back and the arrival of George Pickens giving the passing game another weapon, the Cowboys should put up more resistance. The issue is whether their defense can slow down Hurts and company. Dallas surrendered nearly 28 points a game last season, ranking second-to-last in the league.
The matchup ultimately pits one of the most consistently explosive attacks in the NFL against a team desperate to show its defense has improved. If both quarterbacks are healthy, this could set the tone for the NFC East race.
Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs
The NFL kicks off its 2025 international slate in São Paulo, Brazil, with the Chargers and Chiefs meeting in what’s become one of the league’s more reliable rivalries. The two teams played another nail-biter late last season, a defensive grind that came down to a last-second field goal at Arrowhead. Now, they’ll test themselves in an environment unlike any other: the first NFL game streamed entirely free on YouTube.
Kansas City enters the season with more questions than usual. Patrick Mahomes is still at the controls, but his supporting cast looks thinner. The offensive line has been shuffled, the wide receiver group is unproven and the secondary lacks star power. The Chiefs’ recent dominance has always depended on Mahomes creating magic, but the structure around him may not be as strong.
The Chargers, meanwhile, believe they have the more complete roster. With Justin Herbert healthy and a revamped running game, Los Angeles is aiming to dictate the tempo. Their defense showed last year it could limit Mahomes and force tight finishes. If Herbert can keep drives alive against Kansas City’s pass rush, the Chargers may start this season by tilting the rivalry back in their favor.
New York Jets vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Few games in week one carry as much raw storyline drama as this one. Aaron Rodgers returns to MetLife Stadium, but not in green. Rodgers now leads the Steelers into the very stadium where his stint in New York never quite took off. That alone guarantees plenty of boos, and plenty of eyes on how both sides handle the emotional weight.
The irony deepens with Justin Fields as center for the Jets. Fields faces a Pittsburgh defense that thrived last season against struggling offenses, and the Jets’ offensive line hasn’t consistently proven it can protect a mobile passer. With T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith collapsing pockets, Fields may need to rely on quick throws and his legs just to keep drives alive.
Rodgers, by contrast, walks into a much more stable situation. Pittsburgh not only added him, but also traded for D.K. Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey, signaling a win-now mentality. The Steelers have long relied on their defense, but with Rodgers at the helm, they finally have some balance. The stakes in this game aren’t playoff-level, but with Rodgers’ revenge game, Fields’ first test, and two fanbases desperate for optimism, this is a can’t-miss matchup.
Buffalo Bills vs Baltimore Ravens
There may not be a more high-profile clash on the slate than Buffalo hosting Baltimore. These are two teams with Super Bowl aspirations, led by quarterbacks who enter the year at the very top of the MVP conversation. Their last meeting came in January’s playoffs, when Josh Allen and the Bills eked out a 27-25 win after a late Ravens two-point conversion failed. That loss has surely lingered in Baltimore’s mind.
The Ravens have retooled with some big-name additions, including wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and cornerback Jaire Alexander. Derrick Henry is also back, looking to replicate last season’s impact after ripping off an 80-yard touchdown run against Buffalo the last time the teams met. Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability combined with Henry’s downhill running makes Baltimore one of the most difficult teams to prepare for.
Buffalo, meanwhile, is reshaping its passing game. Adding Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore gives Allen more options alongside Stefon Diggs, while second-year receiver Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid could both see expanded roles. Defensively, the Bills hope linebacker Matt Milano is fully healthy after a major injury, and Tre’Davious White is back in his familiar role after a short stint with Baltimore.
Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions
Divisional games in September don’t always feel season-defining, but Lions-Packers might be the exception. Both franchises have a legitimate shot at the NFC North crown, and both believe they’re poised to take the next step. Detroit swept Green Bay last season, using its power running game and defensive front to control the trenches. Now they’ll try to prove it was no fluke.
The Lions enter with a slightly new look, yet the roster remains formidable. Aidan Hutchinson anchors the defensive line, and first-round pick Tyleik Williams adds even more muscle inside. On offense, Jared Goff remains steady, with rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa adding dimension.
The Packers counter with a few upgrades of their own, including guard Aaron Banks, but protecting quarterback Jordan Love will be crucial. The offensive line allowed plenty of pressure last year, and Hutchinson could once again tilt the matchup. Green Bay will need its home-field edge and a sharper defense to slow down Detroit’s balanced attack.
Main Image: David Reginek-Imagn Images
