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The wait is almost over! The 2025 NFL season is set to ignite this Thursday, September 4th, with a blockbuster opening night. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will host their fierce rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, in what promises to be an electrifying start to another thrilling campaign. The Eagles, fresh off their championship victory, are aiming for a rare repeat – a feat only accomplished by eight other teams in NFL history (with the Pittsburgh Steelers achieving it twice).
While this season won’t see as many seismic shifts as some past years, it’s still packed with exciting developments. The controversial “Tush Push” remains a staple, the kickoff rule has been subtly tweaked to encourage more returns, and eight teams are debuting stylish “Rivalries” uniforms. Plus, fans can look forward to a tripleheader of games on Christmas Day, new television partners, and an expanded slate of international matchups. From rule changes to holiday showdowns and global expansion, here’s everything you need to know for the 2025 NFL season.
Key Rule Changes for the 2025 Season
The NFL Competition Committee has implemented several rule modifications this offseason, primarily focused on enhancing player safety and increasing game excitement. These adjustments aim to streamline gameplay and provide more opportunities for dynamic plays.
Kickoff Rule Modifications
After last season’s dynamic kickoff rule, the league is further refining it to promote more kickoff returns. The goal is to bring back one of the game’s most exhilarating plays. Here are the specific changes:
- Receiving Team Alignment: Receiving teams can now have a maximum of three players in the setup zone, not on the restraining line. However, they are limited to only one player in each of the three distinct areas within the setup zone, bordered by the sidelines and inbounds lines.
- Touchback Spot: If a kickoff lands in the end zone and is downed or goes out of bounds behind the goal line, the dead ball spot will now be the 35-yard line. This is a five-yard increase from the previous 30-yard line, incentivizing returns while still offering a safe option.
- Onside Kick Declaration: Teams can now declare an onside kick at any point in the game, provided they are trailing. This moves away from the previous restriction that only allowed onside kicks in the fourth quarter, opening up more strategic possibilities for comebacks.
Regular Season Overtime Alignment
In a move to create consistency across the league, the NFL has aligned its regular-season overtime rules with those of the postseason. Both teams will now have an opportunity to possess the ball, regardless of the outcome of the first possession. The regular-season overtime period will be 10 minutes, while the postseason remains at 15 minutes. This change aims to ensure fairness and prevent coin-toss decisions from solely determining game outcomes.
Expanded Instant Replay Assist
The instant replay system has been further refined to allow replay officials and designated members of the NFL officiating department to provide real-time, objective input to on-field crews. This expansion aims to reduce game stoppages, limit the need for challenges, and ensure correct rulings based on clear and obvious video evidence. For the 2025 season, replay assist will now include objective input for fouls such as:
- Roughing the passer (only based on a hit to the passer’s head or neck area)
- Intentional grounding (only if relative to the pocket or ball landing beyond the line of scrimmage)
- Unnecessary roughness (based on specific criteria like forcibly contacting a runner out of bounds, hitting a defenseless player’s head/neck, twisting a facemask, horse-collar tackles, tripping, or roughing/running into the kicker)
“Rivalries” Uniforms Debut
Get ready for a fresh look on the field! Following the success of “City Edition” and “City Connect” programs in other sports, Nike and the NFL are introducing “Rivalries” uniforms. These unique designs are specifically for home teams when they face a divisional opponent and will be worn once per season. The AFC West and NFC West divisions are the first to unveil these exciting new looks, which will remain part of their team’s uniform lineup for three years. Additional “Rivalries” uniforms will roll out in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Here’s when you can catch the inaugural “Rivalries” uniforms in action this season:
- Arizona Cardinals: Sept. 25 vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Miami Dolphins: Sept. 29 vs. New York Jets
- Buffalo Bills: Oct. 5 vs. New England Patriots
- New England Patriots: Nov. 13 vs. New York Jets
- Los Angeles Rams: Nov. 16 vs. Seattle Seahawks
- New York Jets: Dec. 7 vs. Miami Dolphins
- Seattle Seahawks: Dec. 18 vs. Los Angeles Rams
- San Francisco 49ers: Jan. 4 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Holiday Football Extravaganza
The NFL continues its tradition of delivering thrilling holiday matchups, with some exciting new additions for 2025.
Thanksgiving Day Games
Thanksgiving will feature its customary tripleheader, a tradition since 2006. Notably, the early Detroit game has been shifted to 1 p.m. ET, aligning holiday game times with the standard Sunday schedule for consistency.
- Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions: 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Stream: Fubo – try for free)
- Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys: 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS (Stream on Paramount+)
- Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC (Stream: Fubo – try for free)
Black Friday Game
For the third consecutive year, the NFL will host a Black Friday game, providing a unique primetime slot for post-Thanksgiving action.
- Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles: 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Christmas Day Tripleheader
For the first time ever, the NFL will host a Christmas Day tripleheader, as the holiday falls on a Thursday. This festive lineup will feature games across Netflix and Prime Video, expanding the league’s reach on a major holiday.
- Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders: 1 p.m. ET, Netflix
- Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: 4:30 p.m. ET, Netflix
- Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs: 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Global Gridiron: International Games Set New Records
The NFL’s global expansion continues at an unprecedented pace, with a record seven international games scheduled for the 2025 season. This includes the historic first regular-season games in Ireland and Spain, further cementing the league’s worldwide appeal. Brazil will also host a Week 1 game on a Friday, while London and Germany will each welcome NFL action.
- Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (Sao Paulo, Brazil) – Fri., Sept. 5, 8 p.m. ET (YouTube)
- Week 4: Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers (Dublin, Ireland) – Sun., Sept. 28, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 5: Minnesota Vikings at Cleveland Browns (London, England) – Sun., Oct. 5, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 6: Denver Broncos at New York Jets (London, England) – Sun., Oct. 12, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 7: Los Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars (London, England) – Sun., Oct. 19, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 10: Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts (Berlin, Germany) – Sun, Nov. 9, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 11: Washington Commanders at Miami Dolphins (Madrid, Spain) – Sun., Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m. ET (NFL Network)
Navigating the Airwaves: Your TV Guide for 2025
The NFL’s extensive media partnerships continue into their third year of an 11-year deal, ensuring fans have numerous ways to catch all the action. Here’s a breakdown of where to watch your favorite teams:
- CBS & Fox: These networks remain the home for Sunday afternoon games, with CBS primarily covering the AFC and Fox the NFC. Both will feature 10 Sunday doubleheaders, including Weeks 15 and 18. Fox also hosts the early Thanksgiving game and a Week 16 Saturday doubleheader, while CBS airs the late-afternoon Thanksgiving matchup.
- NBC: “Sunday Night Football” continues its reign as a primetime staple, alongside the Thanksgiving prime-time game. Peacock will also exclusively stream a Week 17 Saturday night game.
- ESPN/ABC: “Monday Night Football” remains on ESPN, with several games simulcast on ABC, including traditional doubleheaders in Week 2 (Sept. 15) and Week 7 (Oct. 20). Split doubleheaders will also occur in Week 4 (Sept. 29) and Week 6 (Oct. 13). ESPN will also air the Week 18 Saturday doubleheader.
- NFL Network: Your destination for international series games in Europe and Saturday afternoon games in Week 17.
- Amazon Prime Video: The exclusive home for “Thursday Night Football” and the annual Black Friday game.
The Road to Super Bowl LIX: Postseason Schedule
The journey to hoist the Lombardi Trophy culminates in New Orleans at Super Bowl LIX. Here’s how the postseason schedule unfolds:
- Wild Card Round: January 10-12. This expanded round features two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, and one on Monday. All four broadcast partners (CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN) will air at least one game, with Amazon Prime Video also hosting a wild card matchup.
- Divisional Round: January 17-18. Four intense games will be split between Saturday and Sunday, with CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox each airing one contest.
- Conference Championship Games: January 25. CBS will broadcast the AFC Championship, while Fox will carry the NFC Championship, determining who advances to the Super Bowl.
- Super Bowl LIX: February 8, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana, broadcast by NBC.
The 2025 NFL season promises to be a captivating journey filled with thrilling rivalries, strategic innovations, and unforgettable moments. From the opening kickoff in Philadelphia to the final whistle in New Orleans, fans worldwide are in for an incredible ride. For more detailed insights into the upcoming season, including key games, stories, odds, and predictions, stay tuned to CBS Sports.
