NFL Week 1 Kickoff: Full Schedule, Must-Watch Matchups & Live Scores

Football’s long wait is over: NFL Week 1 of the 2025 regular season kicks off Thursday night in Philadelphia when the defending NFC-champion Eagles host their arch-rival Dallas Cowboys at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. It’s the first time since 2015 that the league has opened with a divisional grudge match, and early betting lines peg Jalen Hurts and the Eagles as 6-point favorites while Micah Parsons spearheads a Dallas defense determined to spoil the banner night. The league’s global push continues on Friday as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs face Justin Herbert’s Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil at 8 p.m. ET, streaming exclusively on YouTube. The neutral-site showcase is the first regular-season NFL game ever played in South America, and the league has hinted that future Week 1 Friday games could rotate through other international markets. Sunday delivers the traditional wall-to-wall slate of sixteen games, highlighted by: • Bills vs. Ravens in prime time (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) – Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson square off in a potential AFC Championship preview. • Bengals at Browns (1 p.m. ET, FOX) – Joe Burrow returns from last year’s wrist injury to renew the Battle of Ohio. • 49ers at Seahawks (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX) – Kyle Shanahan’s squad begins its title defense against a revamped Seattle roster led by rookie QB Tyrese Walker. • Lions at Packers (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS) – Detroit tries to prove 2024’s playoff run was no fluke while Jordan Love enters contract-year scrutiny. Fantasy managers will monitor Christian McCaffrey’s usage in Seattle, Bijan Robinson’s expanded role for Atlanta against Tampa Bay, and the Colts’ unveiling of first-round wideout Malik Gardner versus the Dolphins. Sports-books report early sharp money on the Raiders (+4) at New England after Vegas upgraded its pass rush in free agency. Monday Night Football closes the opening week with Kirk Cousins leading the Minnesota Vikings into Soldier Field to battle Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN). Chicago’s rebuilt offensive line faces an immediate test from Danielle Hunter and Minnesota’s blitz-heavy front, while Williams’ first NFL start in prime time is expected to draw massive ratings. Key Week 1 storylines to watch • New rules: The experimental “dynamic kickoff” format debuts, moving kick-coverage players five yards closer to the returner in an effort to boost runbacks. • Quarterback comebacks: Aaron Rodgers (Jets) and Anthony Richardson (Colts) see their first regular-season snaps since season-ending injuries. • Rookie head coaches: Houston’s Mike Kafka and Carolina’s Ben Johnson get early opportunities to set a tone against playoff hopefuls. • Weather watch: Early forecasts call for mid-70s temperatures and light winds across all outdoor venues, eliminating the common early-September heat concerns. How to watch every NFL Week 1 game Thursday: Cowboys at Eagles – NBC, Peacock Friday: Chiefs vs Chargers (São Paulo) – YouTube Sunday doubleheader windows – CBS & FOX; Sunday Night Football – NBC Monday: Vikings at Bears – ABC/ESPN Fans outside their local markets can stream the entire NFL Week 1 schedule on NFL +, YouTube Sunday Ticket, or fuboTV, while Prime Video returns in Week 2 for Commanders-Packers. Takeaway With playoff rematches, international intrigue, and a rookie quarterback debut in prime time, NFL Week 1 2025 is engineered for maximum drama and search-worthy moments. Lock in lineups, set DVRs, and prepare for the most anticipated opening weekend in years—because once the Eagles and Cowboys trade blows on Thursday night, the race to Super Bowl LX officially begins.