The NFL schedule has formally been launched, and after a few days to digest the matchups, we will draw some early conclusions as to who’s been handed a golden alternative–and who’s staring down a tough journey. Listed here are the largest winners and losers from the 2025 NFL schedule launch.
Winners – Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals head into the season stuffed with optimism after a stable 8-9 marketing campaign, and there’s loads of cause to imagine they may make a step ahead.
Their offseason strikes have strengthened a beforehand inconsistent defence, bringing in confirmed pass-rusher Josh Sweat and defensive sort out Dalvin Tomlinson. On the similar time, the draft added thrilling younger expertise in Walter Nolen and Will Johnson. Mix that with a schedule that begins kindly; there’s each cause for hope within the desert.
Arizona will journey to New Orleans and host the Panthers, Titans, and Seahawks inside their first 5 video games. Additionally they compete in a division the place the winner boasted solely a 10-7 document final yr.
With early momentum and a few key additions, might we see Kyler Murray lead the Cardinals to the highest of the NFC West for the primary time since 2015?
Losers – Detroit Lions
The Lions loved an unbelievable common season final yr, tying for the perfect document within the league and establishing themselves as actual contenders. However success comes at a value, which is usually a more durable schedule.
Detroit faces one of many hardest slates within the league this yr. Sure, their defence will likely be again to full power with stars like Aidan Hutchinson and Carlton David returning, one of many massive causes they conceded 45 to the Washington Commanders within the playoff spherical.
Now, they’ll must navigate a brutal highway schedule that features journeys to Cincinnati, Kansas Metropolis, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, 4 sides with professional Tremendous Bowl aspirations. Even their very own division is hard, even if they swept it final season.
We all know the Lions are greater than able to beating these sides, however will we see the identical Lions staff we’ve had the previous two seasons after dropping Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn?
Winners – Buffalo Payments
Since drafting Josh Allen, the Payments have been one of many league’s most constant regular-season groups, however postseason success continues to elude them. Might 2025 lastly be the yr they take the following step?
The schedule may assist them. Buffalo has the second-fewest journey miles within the league this season, at simply 10,546, they usually’ll be at dwelling for 4 of their first 5 video games. That features matchups with the Jets, Dolphins, and Saints and three winnable fixtures.
The more durable video games are unfold out all through the season, plus their conferences with the Ravens (week 1), Chiefs (week 9) and Eagles (week 17) are all at dwelling.
They’ve a beneficial run in the direction of the tip of their marketing campaign, too, that includes the Patriots, Browns, and Jets in three of their final 4. This implies they’ve a superb likelihood to start out the season on a excessive and in addition finish it robust.
Losers – New York Giants
It might be an extended yr for Huge Blue, except Jaxson Dart seems to be the following Tom Brady, though it’s seemingly Russell Wilson will begin the season, which might be smart given the gauntlet they’ll face proper out of the gate.
They open the season in opposition to the Commanders, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Chargers, 4 sides that posted profitable data final yr when wholesome. A gradual begin feels nearly inevitable, and that might put head coach Brian Daboll’s job in peril in a short time. Might we probably see him as the primary coach to depart?
Not solely that, however additionally they have the duty of a double in opposition to the Eagles and a go to to the Lions. It seems to be a somewhat robust schedule for the Giants this yr.
