It’s the most optimistic time of the year.
The NFL is back and has that new season smell wafting through the air. Spirits are high across the league and everyone has high hopes entering a new campaign – regardless of how bleak the outlook may be.
All 32 teams enter on the ground floor, each of them with a list of things to accomplish if they want to be Super Bowl champions. Some teams have a longer list than others, but everyone is a contender before the games officially kick off.
That new smell will vanish eventually, however.
For now, all the players are in the best shape of their lives on their way to posting a career-year. Soon enough, the games will be taken from the paper to the field – where anything can happen.
Here’s what to know about when the NFL season starts in 2025, as well as the rest of the Week 1 schedule.
When does the NFL season start?
The 2025 NFL regular season begins on Thursday, Sept. 4.
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NFL opening game
The Philadelphia Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys to kick off the 2025 campaign.
Dak Prescott returns from injury, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will debut as a receiving duo and Brian Schottenheimer will make his first appearance on the sidelines as an NFL head coach.
On the Philadelphia sideline, it’s all about the high-flying Eagles, many of which have returned from last season.
The NFC East figures to be a competitive division, with the Cowboys serving as somewhat of a wild card. One of these teams will land the first punch in a season-long battle.
Can the Eagles soar to new heights on a night of celebration or will the Cowboys ground the birds? The 2025 NFL season will give us an answer to that question soon enough.
NFL Week 1 schedule 2025
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys | 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
Friday, Sept. 5, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Sao Paulo, Brazil – Corinthians Arena) | 8:15 p.m. ET on YouTube
Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots | 1 p.m. ET on CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets | 1 p.m. ET on CBS
Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts | 1 p.m. ET on CBS
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints | 1 p.m. ET on CBS
New York Giants at Washington Commanders | 1 p.m. ET on FOX
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars | 1 p.m. ET on FOX
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns | 1 p.m. ET on FOX
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons | 1 p.m. ET on FOX
Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos | 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers | 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams | 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills | 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
Monday, Sept. 8, 2025
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears | 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC