We’re really residing in a golden period of NFL soccer.
A league with extra parity and extra star quarterbacks than ever earlier than is scheduling prefer it. The NFL has branched out into new time slots, new days of the week, new strategies for airing video games. There are extra good video games and extra methods to observe them than ever earlier than.
Nonetheless, there’s one thing so satisfying a few good Sunday slate. It’s enjoyable to observe soccer on Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays, nevertheless it’s robust to beat the OG.
In honor of that, listed here are a few of my favourite matchups we’ll see on Sundays — and an epic doubleheader on a December Saturday — this yr on FOX.
*AGOTW = America’s Recreation of the Week
RELATED: 2025 NFL schedule release: Win-loss predictions, analysis for every team
11. Vikings at Seahawks: Week 13, 4:05 p.m. ET
I want this recreation was occurring a bit earlier within the season, earlier than we had a transparent concept of what these groups have been going to be. Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 report final season, and now the ensures on his Seahawks contract are greater than the remainder of his profession earnings mixed. How will he stay as much as that anticipation, and the way will his 2025 evaluate to J.J. McCarthy, who will (presumably) lead the Vikings into Seattle on the finish of November? This must be a extremely enjoyable have a look at who’s dealing with the breakup higher.
10. Eagles at Cowboys: Week 12, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
It’ll be arduous to prime the anticipation sitting on their Week 1 kickoff recreation in Philadelphia, however the return matchup on this rivalry remains to be juicy. Both the Cowboys or Eagles have gained the NFC East in eight of the previous 10 seasons. Even with Washington’s emergence, it’s guess that is going to be an important recreation for playoff standing.
9. Lions at Bengals: Week 5, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
The one different time Joe Burrow has performed the Lions, they have been 0-6 throughout an abysmal 2021 season. This time, Detroit involves Cincinnati as one of the full groups within the league and a Tremendous Bowl favourite. Appears like an ideal time for the Bengals to announce themselves as reputable in 2025. On the primary Sunday in October, this can be a massive likelihood for each groups to make an announcement about the place they stand.
T7. Eagles at Commanders: Week 16, TBD (Saturday)
We don’t know kickoff instances but, however FOX’s Saturday doubleheader is the centerpiece of the Week 16 slate. Washington has quite a lot of massive video games on the schedule but none larger than a rematch of the NFC Championship Recreation. The Commanders have been simply blissful to be enjoying on that stage in January, however a 55-23 beatdown couldn’t have left style of their mouths. It’d be foolish to say Washington can avenge that loss, on condition that the Eagles are hanging a brand new championship banner of their constructing this fall. However perhaps the Commanders have closed the hole this yr — and perhaps an enormous win right here may push them to a division title. Securing the NFC East crown in Week 16 is likely to be essential for Philadelphia, which travels to Buffalo the next week earlier than closing out the common season at residence in opposition to Washington.
T7. Bears at Packers: Week 16, TBD (Saturday)
This recreation doesn’t want storylines to be good. Oldest rivalry within the NFL, two younger groups with massive expectations for the season. Even when that’s true, it’s that rather more enjoyable when there’s some added intrigue. Ben Johnson made waves in January when he kicked off his introductory Bears press convention by saying how a lot he loved beating Matt LaFleur when he labored for Detroit. LaFleur has executed his finest to downplay the feedback, nevertheless it’s fairly simple to deduce that the Packers’ head coach might need some added motivation to place the Bears of their place.
6. Commanders at Cowboys: Week 7, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
We didn’t truly see Jayden Daniels sq. off in opposition to Dak Prescott in 2024. The Cowboys’ starter had already been misplaced to harm when Dallas and Washington met for the primary time final yr, so this may (hopefully) be their first NFL faceoff. On prime of that, this must be an early have a look at how the Commanders and Cowboys measure as much as the Eagles within the NFC East.
5. Eagles at Bills: Week 17, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
I’d have put this recreation barely increased on the record if it was occurring earlier within the season. Given the success we’ve seen from the Payments and Eagles, we will’t assure that they’ll be enjoying all their starters with simply two video games till the playoffs. Nonetheless, there’s quite a bit to love. Star quarterbacks, loaded rosters, and the potential for winter climate in Orchard Park. This might be one other basic, like their time beyond regulation recreation in 2023.
4. Rams at Ravens: Week 6, 1 p.m. ET
There aren’t many offenses which might be extra enjoyable to observe when all the things’s clicking. In 2023, Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford delivered one of the enjoyable afternoons of the season on a wet day in Baltimore. I’m optimistic they’ll do it once more on Oct. 12. Each of those groups will probably be gunning to win their divisions, and Davante Adams is now readily available with Stafford and Sean McVay. The potential for fireworks right here is sky excessive.
3. Bears at Lions: Week 2, 1 p.m. ET
What a time Week 2 goes to be. Hours earlier than the Tremendous Bowl rematch between Kansas Metropolis and Philadelphia, Ben Johnson will make his return to Detroit for the primary time since leaving for Chicago. The Bears’ new head coach oversaw among the finest offenses in soccer when he labored for the Lions, and the hope will probably be that he can hit the bottom operating with Caleb Williams & Co. There’s no higher likelihood to show he’s the person for the job than an early win on the street in opposition to the reigning division champs.
2. Bengals at Bills: Week 14, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
In a season filled with big-time quarterback matchups, this is among the finest. Not solely are Josh Allen and Joe Burrow two of one of the best within the recreation, however in addition they haven’t performed fairly often. The Bengals and Payments have solely matched up twice since their star quarterbacks entered the league, with Cincinnati successful each contests. The Payments have had the higher run of issues over the previous two years, however the Bengals completely have the expertise to re-claim their spot as an actual AFC contender.
1. Eagles at Chiefs: Week 2, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
It’s a well-liked reply for a motive, as a result of who doesn’t wish to see the 2 finest groups within the league face off once more? The Eagles have been the higher crew on Tremendous Bowl Sunday, however I’m constructive all the Chiefs group is determined to show they weren’t as overmatched as they regarded that night. If this recreation was later within the season, it wouldn’t intrigue me as a lot. There are too many variables, too many issues that may change because the season wears on. However in Week 2, when each groups are nonetheless more likely to be pretty wholesome? Signal me up.
David Helman covers the NFL for FOX Sports activities and hosts the NFL on FOX podcast. He beforehand spent 9 seasons masking the Cowboys for the crew’s official web site. In 2018, he gained a regional Emmy for his function in producing “Dak Prescott: A Household Reunion” in regards to the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Observe him on Twitter at @davidhelman_.
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