If you're a casual NFL fan and only able to watch 15 games in the 2025 regular season, which ones should you mark as can't-miss matchups?
There's a case to be made that every national game is required, but there are just some tilts that stand out more than others thanks to the marquee players, storied rivalries, and compelling storylines.
Here's the latest slate of marquee NFL matchups that make for must-see TV in 2025.
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15 best matchups on the 2025 NFL schedule
1. Eagles at Chiefs Week 2 (Sunday Sept. 14, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
This is a Super Bowl matchup squared, given it's an early rubber match after the Chiefs beat the Eagles in Super Bowl 57 and the Eagles got revenge in Super Bowl 59. These have been the most consistent, biggest winning NFL teams of late, so this will be appointment television early in the season. This game may garner the biggest ratings of any all year.
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2. Chiefs at Bills Week 9 (Sunday Nov. 2, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
This is the modern version of the 49ers-Cowboys, Patriots-Colts, and other quarterback-fueled rivalries between consistent conference contenders. Buffalo tends to have Kansas City's number during the regular season, and it helps again this matchup is at home.
Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen, MVP vs. MVP, is always worthy of a top battle, even if it wouldn't end up a true playoff preview because of the Chiefs' dominance when games count the most.
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3. Ravens at Chiefs (Week 4, Sunday Sept. 28, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
The Ravens also have been denied plenty by Mahomes and Chiefs in the playoffs and need to use this road game to make a bit of a statement, as Lamar Jackson seeks the same MVP breakthrough that has eluded Allen.
4. Bengals at Ravens Week 13 (Thursday Nov. 27, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
The Ravens are well aware that the Bengals will go back to being a factor in the division with a more competent defense to complement MVP candidate Joe Burrow. The games have tended to be exciting, and this will be Cincinnati's Thanksgiving road opportunity to flip the power in the AFC North again.
5. Eagles at Commanders Week 16 (Saturday Dec. 20, TBD, Fox)
The Eagles took two of three from the Commanders, including the NFC championship game, on their way to winning Super Bowl 59. But Washington's surprise breakout season with Jayden Daniels revs up the newest division rivalry in the perfect long-term QB duel for fellow dual-threat Jalen Hurts. The division is likely to come down to the final game when the teams have a quick Week 18 rematch in Philadelphia.
6. Bengals at Bills Week 14 (Sunday Dec. 7, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
The Bengals have actually had a Super Bowl breakthrough with Burrow that eludes Allen's Bills and Jackson's Ravens. With Cincinnati getting a break from Kansas City this season, this lines up as the team's most critical game given its recent success vs. Buffalo.
7. Commanders at Chiefs Week 8 (Monday Oct. 27, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC)
The Chiefs get a lot of challenges, and this should be another thriller with Daniels dueling Mahomes for the first time. Beyond the important presidential ring to the name of this matchup, there's also the backdrop of Mahomes' former college coach, Kliff Kingsbury, leading the other offense. This should be a fun affair with plenty of big plays from top offensive skill talent.
8. Eagles at Bills Week 17 (Sunday Dec. 28, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
The Eagles also will dip into the AFC East by taking on that division's reigning champions. Hurts and Allen have met once before, a 37-34 overtime thriller won by host Philadelphia in late November 2023. Have top quarterbacks, will travel to the top of must-watch games.
9. Lions at Eagles Week 11 (Sunday Nov. 16, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
The Eagles are getting tested by almost every possible power in their Super Bowl 59 title defense. The Commanders spoiled this potential NFC championship matchup last season, but this will be a tone-setter for the NFC playoffs.
10. Ravens at Bills Week 1 (Sunday Sept. 7, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
The Ravens also are going to Buffalo to face another fellow first-place team. Jackson is 3-1 against Allen in the regular season, but Mahomes is to Allen as Allen is to Jackson, going 2-0 vs. the Ravens in the playoffs. This also is marked by the battle of the previous two MVPs after Allen spoiled Jackson's attempt to repeat last season. The winner sets the very early tone for another potential playoff game.
11. 49ers at Rams Week 5 (Thursday Oct. 2, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
The 49ers have a terrific schedule created by their injury-riddled last-place turn in the NFC West after their Super Bowl 58 appearance. The Rams represent two of the only six games they have against 2024 playoff teams. San Francisco can use the league's weakest strength of schedule to pad its return to the playoffs, but it still needs to beat L.A. once or twice to take back the division.
Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay continue to make this the league's best offensive coaching rivalry. After this top TNF affair, the teams will play again in San Francisco in Week 10.
12. Packers at Bears Week 16 (Saturday Dec. 20, TBD, Fox)
The Bears' biggest highlight in Williams' rookie season was winning in Lambeau Field in Week 18. Green Bay has maintained the quarterback edge through Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Jordan Love, but Chicago has its first real chance to turn the tables with Williams in a much better offensive plan around him in Year 2.
Outdueling Love in Soldier Field rematch after playing only two weeks earlier in Green Bay can be huge toward the Bears displacing their long-time archrivals as an NFC playoff team
13. Chiefs at Chargers Week 1 (Friday Sept. 5, 8 p.m. ET, YouTube)
The Chiefs and Chargers are wasting no time starting their new heated battle for AFC West supremacy, as Jim Harbaugh has created a formidable new challenger for Andy Reid's squad. This is a big opportunity for Justin Herbert to turn the tide, as he's gone 1-7 in eight starts vs. Mahomes. Sao Paulo mixes up the setting from Los Angeles for their home-and-home series. A Chargers' initial upset can go a big way to changing the common course of AFC results.
14. Lions at Chiefs Week 6 (Sunday Oct. 12, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
When Jared Goff dueled Mahomes with the Rams seven years, ago, it led to an epic 54-51 shootout in prime time. Then Goff and the Lions upset Mahomes and the Chiefs in Kansas City in the 2023 opener, launching Detroit as a playoff power to a national audience. Here's a chance for Mahomes to exact revenge in frequent downfield passing fashion against a QB who's gone 2-0 against him.
15. Chiefs at Cowboys Week 13 (Thursday Nov. 27, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
Here's saving the latest Thanksgiving late-afternoon feast for dessert. Kansas City likes to play on holidays and prime spots after unwrapping a Christmas matchup last season. Now they get to face America's Team back in Mahomes' home state vs. Dak Prescott. Even though the Chiefs would have the clear edge, it's nice to give Dallas this level of opponent to digest.
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