NFL Week One Preview

The 2025 NFL season kicks off on Thursday with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles set to host the Dallas Cowboys in a battle of NFC East rivals. A stacked Week 1 slate features the first NFL International Series matchup of the year, 14 Sunday games and a pair of prime-time clashes to close out the weekend.

UK viewers can catch the action on Sky Sports NFL, with RedZone available via NFL Game Pass. The early window begins at 6pm BST on Sunday, followed by the late games at 9:25pm. Sunday Night Football sees the Eagles host the Cowboys at 1:20am, while Monday Night Football features Vikings vs Bears at 1:15am.

Game 1 – Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys (Sunday 1:20am BST)

One of the fiercest rivalries in football returns under the lights as the defending champions host the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. 

The Eagles players will not be on the sidelines for the traditional unfurling of the championship banner before the game, which suggests they intend to be fully focused on the business of beating Dallas — again.

The Cowboys are dealing with injuries on the offensive line and secondary, and have lost three of their last four trips to the Linc.

They were trounced 41-7 there last December with Saquon Barkley amassing 167 yards rushing and the Eagles receivers sharing three touchdowns.

That was a duel between backup quarterbacks but both Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott will be back under center for this one. 

The Eagles ranked top-five in both scoring and defensive efficiency last season and have covered in five of their last six divisional openers. 

With continuity on both sides of the ball and home-field advantage, they should start strong.

Tip: Eagles -10 (Alternative Point Spread) @ 21/20

Game 2 – Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Chargers (Friday 1am BST – São Paulo) 

The NFL’s first regular-season game in Brazil features two elite quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. 

Mahomes will be without two targets in suspended Rashee Rice and injured Jalen Royals but Travis Kelce is fit and rookie WR Keon Coleman can stretch the field.

Kansas City, who have won five straight openers and are 8-2 against the Chargers since 2019, should have the edge.

Both meetings last season went over 50 points, and with warm conditions expected in São Paulo, this could be another shootout. 

Mahomes thrives in Week 1 and should lead the Chiefs to a high-scoring win.

Tip: Chiefs to win & over 44.5 points @ 8/5

Game 3 – Chicago Bears vs Minnesota Vikings (Monday 1:15am BST)

Monday Night Football features a duel of young NFC North quarterbacks Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy.

Both came out of last year’s QB-rich draft with Williams becoming the Bears’ first overall selection and Minnesota taking McCarthy with the 10th pick on the first day.

Their pathways to stardom diverged last season with Williams thrust into the spotlight immediately in Chicago while the Vikings let McCarthy sit and study for the entire year.

The former Michigan Wolverines star is set to make his NFL debut for a team that won 14 games last year while Williams will look to improve his 5-12 record as a starter under new Bears head coach Ben Johnson. The Vikings swept Chicago last year and have won four of their last five at Soldier Field.

With Jordan Addison suspended and both teams likely to lean on the run early, this could be a low-scoring affair. 

Minnesota’s defensive edge and experience should see them through.

Tip: Vikings to win & under 44.5 points @ 23/10