With the 2025 NFL Draft officially in the rearview, the league now turns its focus to the next big reveal: the full regular-season schedule, which drops May 14. And that means one thing is up for hot debate—who should kick off the season in the NFL’s annual Thursday night opener?
If tradition holds, the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles will host that game. Their list of home opponents includes plenty of juicy options—Cowboys, Rams, Raiders, Bears, and yes, the Detroit Lions. But if you ask most analysts, one matchup stands above the rest: Detroit vs. Philly.
NFL insiders like Jeffri Chadiha, Michael Baca, Kevin Patra, and others are all in on this potential Week 1 clash. Why? Because it’s the game we never got last year. The Lions were the NFC’s top seed and looked poised for a showdown with the Eagles in the conference championship—until injuries and a shocking upset by Washington ended that dream early. What better way to make it up to fans than by giving them the heavyweight fight right out of the gate?
There’s star power everywhere you look. Jalen Hurts. Jared Goff. Saquon Barkley. Amon-Ra St. Brown. Aidan Hutchinson returning to anchor Detroit’s defense. And the added drama of the Lions entering a new era without both coordinators. All the ingredients are there for a high-stakes, high-drama kickoff that sets the tone for the NFC.
Other picks included the Rams, Raiders, Bears, and even a rematch with the Commanders. But let’s be real—none of those bring the same level of intrigue or unfinished business as Lions-Eagles.
The 2025 season deserves a blockbuster opener. Detroit vs. Philadelphia might just be the main event we’ve all been waiting for.
NFL Pundits Push for Lions-Eagles Showdown to Open 2025 Season
