The 2025 NFL season is formally into its stretch run, and a pair of matchups this week will definitely have a playoff really feel to them.
Within the AFC, the Denver Broncos will put their seven-game successful streak to the check towards a Kansas City Chiefs group desperately needing a victory to maintain its division hopes alive. Over within the NFC, the 7-2 Seattle Seahawks and 7-2 Los Angeles Rams will sq. off in Los Angeles in a matchup between arguably the 2 most full groups within the NFL. Add within the 6-3 Lions taking over the 7-2 Eagles on Sunday night time, and we’re a doubtlessly epic week of soccer.
Nearly as good as these video games look, they’re only a fraction of a loaded NFL slate within the second half. Listed below are the highest 5 matchups to stay up for over the season’s closing two months.
5. Week 16: Patriots vs Ravens
A number of weeks in the past, it seemed like this Week 16 recreation won’t imply a lot, however three straight wins by the Ravens, coupled with a couple of ugly Steelers losses, have put the AFC North firmly in play. A matchup towards Drake Maye would be the Ravens’ hardest remaining check, whereas the Patriots could have a lot to play for with the division and doubtlessly the AFC’s high seed up for grabs.
4. Week 15: Seahawks vs Colts
When it comes to simply the standard of soccer, this recreation could be on the high of the checklist. On one facet, you’ve gotten the Colts offense, which leads the NFL in each factors and yards and has operating again Jonathan Taylor barreling in the direction of a possible record-setting season. On the opposite facet, you’ve gotten the Seahawks protection, which ranks third in factors and second in DVOA. Throw in doubtlessly huge playoff implications for each groups, and you’ve got all of the makings of an instantaneous basic.
3. Week 17: Chiefs vs Broncos
Whereas a Broncos victory in Week 11 would successfully finish the Chiefs’ division hopes, a victory by the favored guests would set the stage for a dramatic three-team race over the season’s closing two months. In such a situation, the Week 17 rematch in Kansas Metropolis would instantly grow to be the primary occasion, and the truth that this recreation will happen on Christmas Evening will solely add to the drama.
2. Week 15: Payments vs Patriots
Whereas the Payments have been getting totally embarrassed by the 2-7 Dolphins final week, the Patriots have been within the means of securing a signature win towards the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. This mix moved the Patriots 1.5 video games up within the AFC East and put the Payments’ probabilities of a sixth straight division crown in peril. Pending what occurs over the subsequent month, this Week 15 matchup may doubtlessly be the nail and the coffin for the Payments, giving the Patriots the prospect to seal the division in entrance of their house followers.
1. Week 11: Seahawks vs Rams
These two groups will face off once more in Week 16, however there’s a robust argument that this is the extra essential matchup. Each the Seahawks and Rams are using four-game successful streaks and have a case as the very best group in soccer, establishing what ought to be an outstanding contest between a pair of juggernauts clicking on all cylinders. The winner of this recreation will stay in play for the NFC’s high seed and home-field benefit, whereas the loser might discover itself battling for a wild-card spot.
