NFL schedule release: When does the season begin?
As announced on Monday, the first game of the season will feature the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Philadelphia Eagles in a game scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4 at 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
The Lions reportedly will play their opener at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 4:25 p.m.
Since the NFC North is matched up to play the NFC East in the 2025 regular season, the Lions will play both the Cowboys and the defending Super Bowl-champion Eagles. The Cowboys game is slated to be a home game, while the Eagles game is scheduled to be a road game.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) signals at the line during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
Here's what we know about the beginning of the NFL season:
When is the start of the NFL season?
Date: Thursday, Sept. 4
Matchup: Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Channel: NBC
Streaming: Peacock, Fubo
Who are the Detroit Lions playing?
While we don't know the order of opponents on the Lions' schedule, we do know who they will be playing.
How to watch NFL schedule release
Date: Wednesday, May 14
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: NFL Network
Streaming: NFL.com, NFL+, Fubo
Lions 2025 home games
*Signifies team made playoffs.
- Bears (5-12)
- *Packers (11-6)
- *Vikings (14-3)
- Cowboys (7-10)
- Giants (3-14)
- Browns (3-14)
- *Steelers (10-7)
- *Buccaneers (10-7)
Lions 2025 away games
**Won Super Bowl
- Bears (5-12)
- *Packers (11-6)
- *Vikings (14-3)
- *Commanders (12-5)
- **Eagles (14-3)
- Bengals (9-8)
- *Ravens (12-5)
- *Chiefs (15-2)
- *Rams (10-7)
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