Key Prime-Time Matchups Late In The Season

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 12: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ... More ball in the first quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) With the 2025-2026 NFL schedule officially revealed, so too were the dates and time slots of various marquee matchups throughout the upcoming season. Former champions such as the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will be gracing the primetime spotlight multiple times during the calendar year. However, they are just two of many NFL organizations that feature key late season matchups that potentially can feature playoff implication. Monday Night Football (Week 10): Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 12: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles stiff arms ... More Carrington Valentine #24 of the Green Bay Packers before scoring a third quarter touchdown during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) A rematch of last season’s NFC Wild Card Game pitts the reigning super bowl champion Eagles versus the young upstart Green Bay Packers during the second week of November. The game will be Philly’s first matchup following its Week 9 bye and a potential tone setter to begin the second half of its regular season. Sunday Night Football (Week 11): Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 31: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball and is ... More tackled by Tracy Walker III #21 of the Detroit Lions during the second half at Ford Field on October 31, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) The Eagles will draw a primetime game for a second consecutive week in a matchup between the NFC’s reigning top overall seed from a season ago. The projected heavyweight fight could feature major postseason positioning while also serving as a playoff preview. Sunday Night Football (Week 12): Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Baker Mayfield #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a ... More touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) In a matchup against two reigning division winners, Baker Mayfield gets to go against his former team in the Rams who arguably resuscitated his professional career. On the implications front, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles will likely be jockeying for important postseason positioning. Thursday Night Football (Week 13): Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals scrambles in ... More front of linebacker Odafe Oweh #99 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Cincinnati and Baltimore meet for the first time in 2025 as the nightcap to an intriguing day of Thanksgiving football. The two AFC North rivals are division favorites this upcoming season and will likely be fighting for first-place in a crucial primetime matchup. Sunday Night Football (Week 14) Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 21: Patrick Mahomes #15 and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City ... More Chiefs celebrate after Mahomes’ rushing touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images) A rematch of last season’s divisional playoff matchup features two potential conference playoff factors. For Kansas City, it’ll be the team’s last Sunday Night Football matchup of the year. Thursday Night Football (Week 15) Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 03: KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball to score ... More a game winning 45 yard touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) The Bucs and Falcons will hold its second divisional matchup between each other in Week 15 with potential division title stakes on the line. Last year, the two had an epic barnburner showdown that saw Atlanta pull away with a Week 5 36-30 victory in last year’s Thursday Night Football matchup. Thursday Night Football (Week 16): Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 03: Kamren Kinchens #26 of the Los Angeles Rams scores a fourth ... More quarter touchdown after an interception during a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 03, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Last season, the Seahawks and Rams were in a close-knit battle for the NFC West title, before the Rams ultimately came away victorious. This year, the two will meet for the second and final time in a matchup that may decide the division. Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kambuibomani/2025/05/15/2025-2026-nfl-schedule-key-primetime-matchups-late-in-the-season/