Ranking the seven 2025 NFL International Games
Photo Credit: NFL.com
Following Wednesday’s highly anticipated 2025 NFL schedule release, we now know which teams will play on the international stage. As part of the league’s long-term goal of global expansion, the number of NFL games overseas continues to grow yearly. Five international games were played last year, with seven on the schedule for this season. Two new locations were added to the docket in 2025, with Dublin, Ireland, and Madrid, Spain, hosting regular-season games for the first time.
As NFL fans patiently wait for the regular season to start in early September, let’s analyze each international game, ranking them from seven to one.
These rankings are based on location, atmosphere, excitement level, matchups, and team performances.
7. Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, U.K. (Week 5/Sunday, October 5)
This is the second time in the history of the NFL International games that the Vikings and Browns will play each other in London. The Vikings defeated the Browns, 33-16, in 2017. This will be the fifth London game for the Vikings and just the second for the Browns. With London having been the host city for many NFL games dating back to 2007, there is no real uniqueness to these games. The two teams are far apart talent-wise, with the Vikings finishing 14-3 last year and the Browns finishing 3-14, making this matchup a lopsided one. This will be the Vikings’ second consecutive international game, giving them the advantage over their opponents, who have to travel the week of and will be coming off a tough matchup against a very good Detroit Lions team the week before.
6. Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, U.K. (Week 6/Sunday, October 12)
I went back and forth with No. 6 and No. 5, but chose Broncos vs. Jets because it is another London game. This London game has a lot more flair than the one in Week 5. After leading the Broncos to a surprise playoff berth last season, second-year quarterback Bo Nix will get his first taste of international football. The Broncos bolstered an already strong defense with multiple key free-agent signings and added depth through the draft. With expectations high for the Broncos this year, all eyes will be on them in London. The Jets are turning over a new leaf. Bringing in Aaron Glenn as head coach and Darren Mougey as general manager, the Jets are building a foundation for their future. There is excitement around new starting quarterback Justin Fields, who turns heads with his speed and athleticism. The Jets have solid pieces on both sides of the ball and had a strong draft, but will they be able to compete with the Broncos six weeks into a new era?
5. Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany (Week 10/Sunday, November 9)
The Falcons and Colts will play the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Berlin, Germany. While four games have been played in Germany, none have been hosted at the historic 74,000-plus seat Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The Germans haven’t been treated to the best of games, with 21 being the highest score posted by any team. However, the atmosphere is always great for football in Germany. Both teams fell short of expectations last season, finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs. The Falcons and Colts were hampered by poor quarterback play, with the Falcons benching Kirk Cousins in the first year of his four-year, $180 million contract, while the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Anthony Richardson, struggled mightily, being benched by the Colts on multiple occasions. There is star power for each team at running back, with Bijan Robinson (Falcons) and Jonathan Taylor (Colts) rushing for over 1,400 yards and scoring double-digit touchdowns. The quarterback play will likely determine how good this game is.
4. Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, U.K. (Week 7/Sunday, October 19)
This is the most intriguing London game in 2025, given the star power that will be on the field. This is the first time since 2022 that the Jaguars will not be playing multiple games in London during a season. The Jaguars are viewed as London’s team, having played the most games (13) in the United Kingdom since international games began in 2007. The Rams, who will be hosting the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Australia in 2026, return to London for the first time since 2019. The Rams (10-7) had a much better season than the Jaguars (4-13) in 2024. Led by veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and young stars Puka Nacua and Jared Verse, the Rams were one play away from the NFC Championship game last year. The Rams also added three-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams in the offseason. The Jaguars are under new leadership, with offensive-minded head coach Liam Coen at the helm. The Jaguars hope Coen can help quarterback Trevor Lawrence reach the next level, just like he did with Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay. Pairing second-year Pro Bowl wideout Brian Thomas with the 2025 second-overall pick, two-way star Travis Hunter, will make the Jaguars a team to watch this year.
3. Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland (Week 4/Sunday, September 28)
The Vikings and Steelers will play the first NFL regular-season game in Ireland. Dublin has been the international home to college football in years past, with a fourth consecutive game set to be played this season. The sporting culture in Ireland is next level, so one can expect a crazy atmosphere at Croke Park. This will be the Vikings’ first of two back-to-back international games this season. The Vikings’ 4-0 record overseas could improve to 6-0 by the end of Week 5. The prospect of this game is intriguing, and it will be more exciting once the Steelers solve their starting quarterback issue. Fans anticipate veteran Aaron Rodgers to sign, but if he doesn’t, the Steelers don’t have a starting-caliber passer on their roster. The Vikings will be starting second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The 10th-overall pick in the 2024 draft didn’t play last year after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. Both teams are talented, boasting some of the league’s best players like wide receiver Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and outside linebacker T.J. Watt (Steelers). Despite questions around each team’s quarterback situation, the excitement for the first NFL game in Ireland and the expected atmosphere from the fans push this game up to No. 3.
2. Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain (Week 11/Sunday, November 16)
For the first time in league history, the NFL will play a regular-season game in Spain. The Commanders and Dolphins will square off in one of the most historic stadiums in European soccer, the 78,000-plus capacity Santiago Bernabeu. The stadium was recently renovated, modernizing the exterior and adding a retractable roof. There is no question how good the atmosphere will be for the first game in Spain. Atmosphere and excitement level aside, this is one of the better international matchups this season. The Commanders are led by 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels at quarterback. Daniels has quickly become one of the top talents in the NFL. They shocked the league last season by finishing one win away from a Super Bowl appearance in head coach Dan Quinn’s first year with the team. The Dolphins finished 8-9 last season, but were dealt major injury blows, especially with starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who only started nine games. The Dolphins have success when Tagovailoa is healthy (38-24), and boast talented offensive weapons in running back De’Von Achane and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The Dolphins have the coaches and players to bounce back this season. By the time the clock starts in Spain, we will know how competitive each team is.
1. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil (Week 1/Friday, September 5)
Two great coaches and quarterbacks face off to open the league’s slate of international games in Week 1. Last year was the first-ever NFL game held in Brazil, with the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the Green Bay Packers in a high-scoring thriller. Other than the condition of the field, the game lived up to the hype, and the local fans put on a show. NFL fans should expect the same this year, as two of the top teams in the AFC go head-to-head in Brazil. This is the second time these AFC West rivals will play each other overseas. The Chiefs beat the Chargers, 24-17, in Mexico City in 2019. The Chiefs are the only AFC team not to lose an international game (3-0). The Chiefs are coming off a blowout loss in the Super Bowl and will be looking to get back on track to start the new season. The Chargers enter the second year of the Jim Harbaugh era. In his first season as head coach, Harbaugh led the Chargers to an 11-6 record, but lost in the AFC Wild Card round. Both teams improved this offseason and will be competing toe-to-toe all season, along with the Broncos, to see who wins the AFC West division, and it all starts Week 1 in Brazil.
