We’re really residing in a golden period of NFL soccer.
A league with extra parity and extra star quarterbacks than ever earlier than is scheduling prefer it. The NFL has branched out into new time slots, new days of the week, new strategies for airing video games. There are extra good video games and extra methods to look at them than ever earlier than.
Nonetheless, there’s one thing so satisfying a few good Sunday slate. It’s enjoyable to look at soccer on Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays, but it surely’s robust to beat the OG.
In honor of that, listed below are a few of my favourite matchups we’ll see on Sundays — and an epic doubleheader on a December Saturday — this yr on FOX.
*AGOTW = America’s Recreation of the Week
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11. Vikings at Seahawks: Week 13, 4:05 p.m. ET
I want this sport was occurring a bit earlier within the season, earlier than we had a transparent concept of what these groups had been going to be. Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 file final season, and now the ensures on his Seahawks contract are greater than the remainder of his profession earnings mixed. How will he reside as much as that anticipation, and the way will his 2025 examine to J.J. McCarthy, who will (presumably) lead the Vikings into Seattle on the finish of November? This ought to be a very enjoyable have a look at who’s dealing with the breakup higher.
10. Eagles at Cowboys: Week 12, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
It’ll be laborious to high the anticipation sitting on their Week 1 kickoff sport in Philadelphia, however the return matchup on this rivalry continues to be juicy. Both the Cowboys or Eagles have gained the NFC East in eight of the previous 10 seasons. Even with Washington’s emergence, it’s an excellent guess that is going to be an important sport for playoff standing.
9. Lions at Bengals: Week 5, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
The one different time Joe Burrow has performed the Lions, they had been 0-6 throughout an abysmal 2021 season. This time, Detroit involves Cincinnati as one of the crucial full groups within the league and a Tremendous Bowl favourite. Feels like an ideal time for the Bengals to announce themselves as authentic in 2025. On the primary Sunday in October, this can be a huge probability for each groups to make an announcement about the place they stand.
T7. Eagles at Commanders: Week 16, TBD (Saturday)
We don’t know kickoff occasions but, however FOX’s Saturday doubleheader is the centerpiece of the Week 16 slate. Washington has numerous huge video games on the schedule but none greater than a rematch of the NFC Championship Recreation. The Commanders had been simply joyful to be taking part in on that stage in January, however a 55-23 beatdown couldn’t have left an excellent style of their mouths. It’d be foolish to say Washington can avenge that loss, on condition that the Eagles are hanging a brand new championship banner of their constructing this fall. However possibly the Commanders have closed the hole this yr — and possibly a giant win right here might push them to a division title. Securing the NFC East crown in Week 16 is perhaps crucial for Philadelphia, which travels to Buffalo the next week earlier than closing out the common season at house in opposition to Washington.
T7. Bears at Packers: Week 16, TBD (Saturday)
This sport doesn’t want storylines to be good. Oldest rivalry within the NFL, two younger groups with huge expectations for the season. Even when that’s true, it’s that rather more enjoyable when there may be some added intrigue. Ben Johnson made waves in January when he kicked off his introductory Bears press convention by saying how a lot he loved beating Matt LaFleur when he labored for Detroit. LaFleur has carried out his greatest to downplay the feedback, but it surely’s fairly straightforward to deduce that the Packers’ head coach may need some added motivation to place the Bears of their place.
6. Commanders at Cowboys: Week 7, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
We didn’t really see Jayden Daniels sq. off in opposition to Dak Prescott in 2024. The Cowboys’ starter had already been misplaced to harm when Dallas and Washington met for the primary time final yr, so this can (hopefully) be their first NFL faceoff. On high of that, this ought to be an early have a look at how the Commanders and Cowboys measure as much as the Eagles within the NFC East.
5. Eagles at Bills: Week 17, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
I’d have put this sport barely increased on the listing if it was occurring earlier within the season. Given the success we’ve seen from the Payments and Eagles, we are able to’t assure that they’ll be taking part in all their starters with simply two video games till the playoffs. Nonetheless, there’s quite a bit to love. Star quarterbacks, loaded rosters, and the potential for winter climate in Orchard Park. This could possibly be one other traditional, like their extra time sport in 2023.
4. Rams at Ravens: Week 6, 1 p.m. ET
There aren’t many offenses which might be extra enjoyable to look at when all the things’s clicking. In 2023, Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford delivered one of the crucial enjoyable afternoons of the season on a wet day in Baltimore. I’m optimistic they will do it once more on Oct. 12. Each of those groups will likely be gunning to win their divisions, and Davante Adams is now readily available with Stafford and Sean McVay. The potential for fireworks right here is sky excessive.
3. Bears at Lions: Week 2, 1 p.m. ET
What a time Week 2 goes to be. Hours earlier than the Tremendous Bowl rematch between Kansas Metropolis and Philadelphia, Ben Johnson will make his return to Detroit for the primary time since leaving for Chicago. The Bears’ new head coach oversaw top-of-the-line offenses in soccer when he labored for the Lions, and the hope will likely be that he can hit the bottom working with Caleb Williams & Co. There’s no higher probability to show he’s the person for the job than an early win on the highway in opposition to the reigning division champs.
2. Bengals at Bills: Week 14, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
In a season stuffed with big-time quarterback matchups, this is among the greatest. Not solely are Josh Allen and Joe Burrow two of the perfect within the sport, however additionally they haven’t performed fairly often. The Bengals and Payments have solely matched up twice since their star quarterbacks entered the league, with Cincinnati profitable each contests. The Payments have had the higher run of issues over the previous two years, however the Bengals completely have the expertise to re-claim their spot as an actual AFC contender.
1. Eagles at Chiefs: Week 2, 4:25 p.m. ET (AGOTW)
It’s a preferred reply for a purpose, as a result of who doesn’t need to see the 2 greatest groups within the league face off once more? The Eagles had been the higher group on Tremendous Bowl Sunday, however I’m constructive your entire Chiefs group is determined to show they weren’t as overmatched as they appeared that night. If this sport was later within the season, it wouldn’t intrigue me as a lot. There are too many variables, too many issues that may change because the season wears on. However in Week 2, when each groups are nonetheless prone to be pretty wholesome? Signal me up.
David Helman covers the NFL for FOX Sports activities and hosts the NFL on FOX podcast. He beforehand spent 9 seasons overlaying the Cowboys for the group’s official web site. In 2018, he gained a regional Emmy for his function in producing “Dak Prescott: A Household Reunion” in regards to the quarterback’s time at Mississippi State. Comply with him on Twitter at @davidhelman_.
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