The NFL released its schedule in full on Wednesday night after strategically leaking key games throughout the week to steal headlines leading up to letting us all know how we’ll be entertained come the fall.
Let’s get into breaking down the 10 most attractive matchups, and yes we’re aware this is subjective and there are at least 50 compelling games that the league has pieced together, so many will be left out. Relax, it’s mid-May.
Odds for 10 best matchups revealed in 2024-25 NFL schedule release
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Week 1: Ravens vs. Chiefs odds
This AFC Championship rematch between the Chiefs and Ravens gets us started on Thursday night in Kansas City. The Chiefs lost last season’s NFL Kickoff Game 21-20 against the Lions despite being favored in a game that provided hints about how tough Detroit would prove to be and how badly Kansas City’s receiving corps would struggle.
This opener will feature the debut of RB Derrick Henry with Baltimore and give us our first taste of KC’s new-look secondary and rookie WR Xavier Worthy, who posted the fastest 40 time ever at the combine prior to becoming a late first-round pick.
Week 1: Packers vs. Eagles odds (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
This one will be played on a Friday night in a Brazilian soccer stadium, so it will certainly be unlike anything we’ve ever seen before in the NFL. The Eagles’ first regular-season game without Jason Kelce calling out the signals for the offensive line will come at Corinthians Arena against a defense that came together down the stretch despite multiple injuries.
Jordan Love will look to keep his positive momentum going against a suspect secondary Philly is hoping will be strengthened by first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell, the first defensive back drafted in 2024. The Eagles haven’t used a first-rounder to improve its secondary since selecting Lito Sheppard with pick No. 26 in 2002.
Read more: Early betting action moved Packers vs. Eagles line toward Green Bay
Week 1: Jets vs. 49ers odds
Aaron Rodgers vowed that he’d return from his Achilles tear last season, thought better of it since that was insanity, and will now presumably be 100 percent to take the field against his hometown team in the season’s first Monday night game. San Francisco is coming off squandering a double-digit lead in the Super Bowl but is again favored to win the NFC. The Jets just want to see Rodgers finish this first game healthy, since they can go on a run given that their Week 2-4 foes are the Titans, Patriots and Broncos.
Related: Full 2024 NFL Week 1 odds
Week 2: Bills vs. Dolphins odds
These bitter rivals have a long history of contentious battles and get together to open Week 2 on a Thursday night. Given that a home game against the Jags follows before road games against the Ravens, Texans and Jets, this could be the beginning of a huge slide if Josh Allen struggles in South Florida. The Bills have won 10 of 11 against Miami, but four of the last five matchups have been decided by 7 points or less.
Week 2: Bengals vs. Chiefs odds
Although he’s likely to start off with a win against New England in the opener, everyone wants to see Joe Burrow flourish here to declare that he’s back following complicated wrist surgeries. Cincinnati has been the most consistent thorn in Kansas City’s current run as the league’s newest dynasty, and Burrow loves leaving the paying customers at Arrowhead dejected.
Week 5: Ravens vs. Bengals odds
Both will have had their crack at the Chiefs, but now these AFC North juggernauts will see each other for the first time. Prior to last season, the Bengals had won seven of eight over the Ravens, including a Wild Card win in the first postseason meeting in this rivalry. Baltimore swept both matchups in 2023, which ultimately helped keep them out of the playoffs. The teams will meet again on a Thursday night (Nov. 7) to open Week 10.
More: Updated NFL 2024-25 season win totals following schedule release
Week 7: Chiefs vs. 49ers odds
These teams know a little something about one another. While it’s just one game, the fact this one comes in Week 7 with plenty of time to find a flow makes it an attractive barometer for how both look approaching the season’s halfway point. Kansas City has an edge coming into this showdown off a bye, but the 49ers won’t be at a huge rest disadvantage since they’ll open the previous week’s action on Thursday night in Seattle.
Week 17: Ravens at Texans odds
- Spread: Ravens -1.5 (-110); Texans +1.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Ravens -125; Texans +105
- Total: 46.5 OVER -108; UNDER -112
Yes, the Steelers playing the Chiefs on Christmas is also a big deal, but this matchup probably features two division leaders instead of one. Call that an inkling about how we expect the AFC North to shake out, but facts are facts, and Baltimore has been far more effective than Pittsburgh lately. This matchup features C.J. Stroud battling Lamar Jackson for the second time in his short career, having lost his NFL debut 25-9 in Baltimore. It will likely be frigid and snowing in Pittsburgh, but the atmosphere under Houston’s NRG Stadium’s covered roof should be cozy.
Odds via DraftKings.
Read more: Sportsbooks hang NFL odds on Christmas Day, international games
Week 17: Cowboys at Eagles odds
- Spread: Cowboys +2 (-110); Eagles -2 (-110)
- Moneyline: Cowboys +114; Eagles -135
- Total: 47 OVER/UNDER -110
This one may very well decide the NFC East. Ezekiel Elliott is back with the Cowboys. Dak Prescott’s run with America’s Team will either be coming to an end or in the midst of a run that will leave Jerry Jones no choice but to lock him up long-term. Jalen Hurts and the Birds will be looking to finish strong given how poorly last season ended. Philadelphia saves all of its venoms for when Dallas visits, so this one promises to be special.
Week 17: Lions at 49ers odds
- Spread: Lions +4.5 (-110); 49ers -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Lions +170; 49ers -205
- Total: 47.5 OVER -108; UNDER -112
Detroit led San Francisco 24-7 at halftime of January’s NFC Championship, so nearly 12 months later, it will be wild to see where Dan Campbell has this team in Week 17. You know this game will have been circled on both calendars and will likely carry seeding implications. The 49ers have experience as the hunted, while Detroit, now respected, gets to reprise its role as an underdog with a massive chip on its shoulder.
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