NFL Primetime Schedule 2025 Revealed for Monday, Thursday and Sunday Night Games

The NFL schedule has been officially released, and this year's Monday Night, Sunday Night and Thursday Night Football slates offer exciting and compelling games on paper.

Here's a look at the primetime lineups alongside a trio of games that stand out for all three schedules.

Monday Night Football

Thursday Night Football

Sunday Night Football

Monday Night Football Games To Watch

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (Week 1, Sept. 8)

The Chicago Bears, led by new head coach (and ex-Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson) get a stiff opening test when they visit the Minnesota Vikings to start the season. Facing off against last year's No. 5 scoring defense won't be easy, but Johnson just oversaw the top-scoring offense himself. This game will also presumably mark the regular season debut of Vikings signal-caller J.J. McCarthy after the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft suffered a season-ending torn meniscus last August.

Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs (Week 8, Oct. 27)

This potential Super Bowl preview marks the first time Commanders rising star Jayden Daniels and three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes will face off. The Commanders are looking to make their first Super Bowl since 1991, while the Chiefs are hoping for their fourth Super Bowl win (and sixth Super Bowl appearance since 2019). This has the makings of a potential shootout and instant classic between two phenomenal talents.

Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Chargers (Week 14, Dec. 8)

The Los Angeles Chargers enjoyed a fantastic first year under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, winning 11 games and taking home their first playoff victory since 2018. They'll hope to improve upon that in 2025 but face some stiff tests, namely a huge Monday Night Football matchup against the Super Bowl champions. Harbaugh's Bolts could certainly be up to the task, though, especially under quarterback Justin Herbert, who is fulfilling his vast potential under his new coach.

Thursday Night Football Games To Watch

San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Week 5, Oct. 2)

These two teams have combined to win seven of the last eight NFC West titles and each of the last four. The Rams, last year's division champs, look like the early clubhouse favorites again, especially with the 49ers coming off a disappointing 6-11 season. However, San Francisco still has a strong talent base and coaching staff to engineer a turnaround, although L.A. still looks strong on both sides of the ball, especially on offense with wide receiver Davante Adams now in town.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (Week 7, Oct. 16)

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals had a phenomenal offensive season, but a porous defense and lackluster special teams unit led to the team missing the playoffs at 9-8. They'll look to use the momentum of a strong 5-0 finish to propel them to a great 2025 but need to traverse the tough AFC North. It'll only get harder if four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers accepts the Pittsburgh Steelers' offer to be their quarterback, making for a potential classic here against Burrow.

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (Week 12, Nov. 20)

These two teams (plus the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens) have composed the AFC's final four each of the past two seasons. It wouldn't be a shock if Buffalo and Houston are back there again. Last season, Buffalo and Houston played a classic in Texas, with the home team emerging with a 23-20 victory thanks to a Ka'imi Fairbairn 59-yard field goal as time expired. We'll soon find out what happens this year, but expect another great game.

Sunday Night Football Games To Watch

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills (Week 1, Sept. 7)

The SNF slate starts with a banger in Buffalo, where the Bills beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-25 in the AFC Divisional round last year. That game followed the Ravens' 35-10 regular-season beatdown of Buffalo last September. This matchup also obviously features the last two NFL MVP award winners in the Bills' Josh Allen and the Ravens' Lamar Jackson. Both teams are trying to break the Chiefs' hold on the AFC (three straight and five of six), and a win here would be a great start to the season.

Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs (Week 6, Oct. 12)

This could have very well been last year's Super Bowl matchup, but the Lions were upset by the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional round. This could be this year's Super Bowl matchup, especially with the Lions getting some key players back from injuries, notably superstar defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. The Chiefs, on paper, should remain strong as usual, especially with Patrick Mahomes under center, but facing Hutchinson and Co. will be a stiff task.

Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles (Week 11, Nov. 16)

Three years ago in the season opener, the eventual NFC champion Eagles held off a spirited effort from a gutsy Lions team that was fighting hard but still learning to win in the Dan Campbell era. Philadelphia won 38-35 and eventually won the NFC title, while Detroit overcame a 1-6 start to finish 9-8. Now both teams are NFC powerhouses, with this matchup potentially determining the conference's No. 1 seed. The potential Game of the Year will be a must-see matchup for sure.