The NFL’s 2025 season brings big changes to how fans watch football, starting with the Eagles-Cowboys kickoff game and extending through an all-streaming Christmas Day.
The defending champion Eagles host Dallas on September 4, with 75-13 being the combined score of their two meetings last year. New Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer faces a tough start, but gets a boost from returning quarterback Dak Prescott, who teams up with new receiver George Pickens and star CeeDee Lamb.
Streaming takes center stage this Christmas, changing how millions watch football. Netflix attracted over 24 million viewers during their 2024 Christmas games. Now they’re broadcasting two Christmas Day games – Cowboys-Commanders and Lions-Vikings. Prime Video rounds out the day with Broncos-Chiefs.
The viewing changes affect family traditions. Instead of gathering around traditional TV broadcasts, fans need streaming subscriptions to catch all the action. The NFL’s move follows viewer habits – more people are choosing streaming over cable, especially younger fans.
Week 1 features compelling quarterback battles. Josh Allen, last year’s MVP, hosts two-time winner Lamar Jackson when Buffalo plays Baltimore on Sunday night. The Ravens added powerhouse runner Derrick Henry, while Buffalo brought in pass rusher Joey Bosa, setting up key matchups on both sides.
Monday night showcases the next generation, with Chicago’s Caleb Williams facing Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy returns from a knee injury that ended his first season early.
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Brazil hosts its second-ever NFL game when Kansas City plays the Chargers. A Chiefs win would make them the first team to win in five different countries. The international game shows how the NFL keeps expanding its reach.
Other opening weekend highlights include Cincinnati-Cleveland renewing their heated Ohio rivalry. Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, fresh off leading the league in receiving, faces a Browns defense anchored by Myles Garrett, who just signed a massive new contract.
The Buccaneers chase their fifth straight division title starting against Atlanta, where quarterback Michael Penix Jr. takes over after impressing in three starts last year. Tampa Bay won both matchups in 2024 despite Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins throwing nine touchdowns.
Christmas viewing numbers will be crucial for the NFL’s streaming future. The success with Netflix in 2024 showed significant viewer interest in streaming platforms. The triple-header features strong rivalries – the Cowboys make their record sixth Christmas appearance, the Lions and Vikings bring their tight division race, and the Broncos try to break their struggles against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
The NFL’s changes reflect bigger shifts in how people watch sports. Teams that win opening week have made the playoffs 70% of the time since 2020, posting a 49-21 overall record. But the bigger story is how streaming platforms are changing America’s biggest sport, one game at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Netflix will broadcast two Christmas Day games (Cowboys vs Commanders and Lions vs Vikings), while Prime Video will stream Broncos vs Chiefs. Traditional TV broadcasts won’t be available for these Christmas games – viewers need streaming subscriptions to watch.
The 2025 NFL season kicks off on September 4 with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. This marks the traditional Thursday night season opener featuring an NFC East rivalry matchup.
The Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. He’ll be working with returning quarterback Dak Prescott and newly acquired receiver George Pickens, alongside star wideout CeeDee Lamb.
Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams will face Minnesota Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy on Monday Night Football in Week 1. McCarthy is returning from a knee injury that ended his first season early.
Brazil will host the Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers game. This marks Brazil’s second-ever NFL game, and a Chiefs victory would make them the first team to win games in five different countries.
Since 2020, teams that win their opening week games have made the playoffs 70% of the time, compiling an impressive 49-21 overall record. This statistic makes early season games particularly crucial for playoff positioning.
