As many NFL fans eagerly await the highly anticipated 2025 NFL schedule release on May 14, several matchups are sure to bring added excitement—not only for the fans watching, but also for certain players and franchises.

One game that already stands out to me is Browns vs. Steelers. It’s already an exciting rivalry game, but imagine the extra intrigue if Shedeur Sanders—often projected to go to Pittsburgh in Round 1 of mock drafts leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft—were Cleveland’s starter when these two teams meet this season. It would give the Browns a chance to show that they were the team who made the savvy move to stop his slide into Round 5, not their division rivals. This is a real possibility, as a wide-open quarterback competition is still ongoing in Cleveland.

Now, let’s dive into the best revenge games that could unfold during the 2025 NFL regular season.

Best Revenge Games That Could Occur During the 2025 NFL Regular Season:

Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
If the NFL decides to schedule this game on Thanksgiving again, it would be an intriguing matchup. For one, it would give the Bears a chance to make up for last year’s loss in Detroit. Additionally, with former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson now in Chicago, there’s some unresolved tension between the two teams, and this rivalry could become one to watch for years to come.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Eagles and Chiefs are likely to enter the 2025 season as the favorites in their respective conferences. While a Super Bowl rubber match—following Philly’s defeat of Kansas City in Super Bowl 59 and the Chiefs’ win over the Eagles in Super Bowl 57—could certainly happen in February, we know these two teams will also square off during the regular season. While it may not carry the same excitement as a Super Bowl showdown, it should still be a highly entertaining game. Plus, it gives the Chiefs a chance to redeem themselves for their first-half struggles in their previous matchup against the Eagles.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
The Commanders made a surprise run to the NFC title game behind Jaden Daniels, only to be demolished by the Eagles 55-23. But Washington has improved its offensive line this offseason and added Deebo Samuel, setting the stage for a more competitive series between the two teams. One of their matchups is scheduled for Week 16, with the Commanders hosting the Eagles on Saturday, December 20th, which was one of the few games announced before the official 2025 NFL schedule release.

Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders
Some might argue that the Commanders’ run to the NFC Championship Game was due to a butterfly effect stemming from their Week 8 victory, which included a last-second Hail Mary. That win sent the Commanders to the playoffs, while the Bears went on to lose nine more games and fire their coach. This game also marks the second career matchup between former number-one overall pick Caleb Williams and former number-two overall pick Jaden Daniels. The key difference is that Daniels, now the Offensive Rookie of the Year, will have a much stronger supporting cast, while Williams will be protected by a revamped offensive line. This could be a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills and Chiefs are widely considered to be the top rivalry in the AFC, even though Kansas City has eliminated Buffalo from the playoffs four times in the Patrick Mahomes-Josh Allen era. While those postseason games have been more dramatic, the Bills have often gotten the better of the Chiefs during the regular season, including their last four regular-season matchups. Though these regular-season games may lack the high stakes of playoff clashes, Bills vs. Chiefs is always must-see TV.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Let’s not forget the Baltimore Ravens, another team gunning for AFC supremacy. The Ravens have continued to bolster their roster, landing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in free agency. Last season, Hopkins played for both the Titans and Chiefs, who traded him after Rashee Rice’s season-ending injury. This matchup could have extra significance for Hopkins, as it would offer him a chance to put up big numbers against his former team.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
The Ravens had the number-one seed in the 2023 NFL playoffs but were knocked out by the Chiefs in the AFC title game, and then lost to the Bills in the AFC Divisional Round of the 2024 playoffs. Baltimore did win the regular-season matchup last year, but that doesn’t change the overall tone of this series, with the Ravens having dropped three of the past five games to Buffalo.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos
At first glance, it might seem odd to think the Bengals would seek revenge, especially since they’ve only played the Broncos twice since Joe Burrow was drafted in 2020, winning both matchups—including a crucial Week 17 game last season that helped keep their playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Broncos secured the seventh seed in the playoffs after beating a Chiefs team resting its starters, which ultimately led to the Bengals being eliminated from the postseason. While this isn’t really the Broncos’ fault—given their impressive rookie quarterback play—it’s easy to see why Bengals fans might feel aggrieved. Missing the playoffs during such a critical window with Burrow could make this an intense and highly charged matchup.

Overall, there are plenty of exciting matchups to look forward to this season—some rooted in divisional rivalries, others driven by personal vendettas, and everything in between. So, NFL fans, get ready for another thrilling year of football!