We've known for a bit that seven teams will lose a home game this season, as these teams were designated to host international NFL games in 2025.
- Cleveland Browns
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Jets
- Pittsburgh Steelers
But we didn't know the matchups or dates until now. Here is the seven-game international slate.
But some of these matchups are not like the others. Some are appointment viewing. Some are...well...not.
We asked our staff to dig in.
We'll start at the bottom.
The Must-Miss Tier
Week 5 - Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns in London
The top must-miss game on the international schedule. Except that our DFS guru, Devin Knotts, will actually be in the stands. So there's that.
Harris: I hope the Browns exceed expectations. I suspect they won't.
Wright: Of all the games on the 2025 International Schedule, this one excites me the least. But hey—you never know!
Wood: The Vikings defense should be lights out, and the Browns will be rotating a bunch of uninspiring quarterback options all year.
Blaylock: The Vikings will be settled in their new English home, and the Browns will still be the Browns, except with jet lag.
Gutierrez: Teams usually have a bye after an international game, so will this be Flacco's last game?
Tootsiepop: The Browns and their quarterback carousel confuse me too much to rank this one higher, even though the Vikings are my team.
Tremblay: For the Vikings, a second straight international trip against the Browns, who currently have quarterback stability equivalent to a Jenga tower built by toddlers, might not exactly dazzle British fans.
Week 10 - Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts in Berlin
A pair of franchises that seem to be the definition of average and matched 8-9 records in 2024.
Wood: Two teams I expect will be toward the bottom of the league standings, with uncertain quarterback situations.
Zacharias: A later-season matchup of the teams with the 9th- and 10th-worst Super Bowl odds has all the makings of a snoozefest.
Tootsiepop: This one just doesn't scream excitement.
The Ho-Hum Tier
Week 6 - Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets in London
It makes sense for this game to finish just below the middle in the must-see rankings, as it was hard to find a staffer caring enough to even comment.
Wright: Two of last year's top-12 rushing defenses will be tested as Justin Fields, Breece Hall, Bo Nix, and rookie RJ Harvey face off in London.
Gutierrez: At least these teams will put on a better show in this stadium than Tottenham did this season.
The It Depends Who You Ask Tier
Week 4 - Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin
This could be a grimy, hard-fought, one-score game decided on the final drive. Some people love that. It's also not 1976 anymore, so for some, that's not exactly must-see entertainment.
Zacharias: It's hard to imagine Pittsburgh's retooled offense exhibiting any can't-miss cohesion early in the season.
Major: Vikings should be good, but right now, are we really trusting the quarterback room in Pittsburgh?
Tremblay: The NFL debuts on Irish soil with a gritty defensive standoff between two venerable, if slightly worn, franchises.
Week 11 - Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins in Madrid
There are two sides to the excitement coin here: the NFL in Spain is thrilling, but this game is setting up to be one of these words.
Zacharias: Jayden Daniels will be looking to boost his MVP odds.
Gutierrez: ¡First ever game in Spain! Get ready to shout "anotación" every time Jayden Daniels scores a touchdown. The atmosphere is going to be amazing.
Major: This is too one-sided in favor of the Commanders.
Tootsiepop: Location is everything with this one; I'm pumped to see a game in Madrid!
Tremblay: Though the NFL’s debut in Spain is historically notable, this late-season Commanders-Dolphins showdown offers minimal intrigue beyond the novelty.
The Yeah! We're All the Way In Here Tier
Week 7 - Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in London
Is an offensive explosion in the works here?
Harris: By this point, the Jaguars should have a handle on their new offense and Travis Hunter's role.
Wright: London's unofficial home team brings rookie Travis Hunter to The Big Smoke for the first time.
Wood: Liam Coen is the only Rams OC I can think of that McVay let go, but ultimately Coen ended up as an NFL head coach anyway. Can the pupil outduel the master?
Blaylock: This game features Puca Nacua, Brian Thomas Jr.., and Travis Hunter, three of our consensus Top 20 wide receivers.
Major: The narrative is on: Teacher (McVay) vs. Student (Coen) and possible fantasy point scorers galore.
Week 1 - Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo
With over 22 million people in the metro area, São Paulo gets a game that could be just as big. This matchup easily wins the must-see contest.
Harris: Will the Chiefs' offense make good on threats to lean more heavily on the pass this year?
Wright: How can I not rank this division rivalry as the number one matchup of the 2025 International Schedule?!
Wood: Two playoff contenders and division rivals facing off in Week 1 make this not only a top-tier international option but also one of the best games on the entire slate.
Blaylock: The Chiefs have won seven straight over the Chargers, including six by one score, since 2021.
Zacharias: Hard to top the excitement of the opening weekend of an Andy Reid revenge tour.
Gutierrez: Divisional game, Week 1, in Brazil, and could be the best game of the week.
Major: The last three games having a total point average under 30 gives me pause, but it’s still Mahomes vs. Herbert!
Tootsiepop: The Chiefs always bring a lot of attention to whatever game they play and this one will be no different, especially with kicking off the NFL season in Week 1!
Tremblay: Mahomes vs. Herbert in a high-stakes AFC West clash to kick off the international slate is must-see football.
