Who Might the Super Bowl Champion Eagles Face to Open the 2025 Season?

Published: February 10, 2025 | By Kevin Patra, Senior News Writer

Philadelphia’s Super Bowl Triumph

The Philadelphia Eagles have reclaimed the top spot in the football world, securing their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

In a dominant performance, the Eagles crushed Kansas City’s hopes for a historic three-peat with a commanding 40-22 victory. Their relentless defense overwhelmed Patrick Mahomes, while their offense soared past Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive unit. This dominant display evoked memories of the lopsided Super Bowl matchups of the 1990s.

After avenging their Super Bowl LVII loss to Kansas City in such emphatic fashion, Philadelphia will now host the opening game of the 2025 NFL season at Lincoln Financial Field. With that in mind, let’s explore potential opponents for the season opener.

Potential Opening Night Opponents

Philadelphia’s 2025 home schedule includes matchups against the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Rams.

Here are four standout possibilities:

Detroit Lions

The highly anticipated NFC showdown that never materialized in the 2024 playoffs—after Detroit’s shocking loss to Washington—could finally happen in the season opener. Even with the departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the Lions still possess a high-powered offense led by Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

This matchup would be a true test, pitting Detroit’s offense against Philadelphia’s top-ranked pass defense. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio shut down the Chiefs—could the Eagles do the same against a Lions squad with a superior offensive line?

On the other side, Detroit’s defense, which struggled last season, is expected to regain key players, including Aidan Hutchinson. His battle against Philly’s elite offensive line would be a must-watch.

However, since the Lions already played in the 2023 Kickoff Game, the NFL may prefer to save this potential conference showdown for later in the season.

Los Angeles Rams

This matchup largely depends on the Rams’ offseason moves—especially whether Matthew Stafford remains the starting quarterback under Sean McVay. If the Rams undergo a major quarterback change, they may not be an ideal opponent for the NFL’s marquee opener.

That said, Stafford and the Rams gave the Eagles a serious challenge in the Divisional Round, with the snowy battle coming down to the wire. A season opener would showcase L.A.’s rising young defense, including Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse.

Additionally, the NFL could highlight Saquon Barkley’s explosive plays against the Rams in promotional content leading up to the game.

Washington Commanders

While the NFL typically saves divisional matchups for later in the season, the Jayden Daniels-led Commanders could be an exception. Washington’s rapid rebuild—propelled by its young quarterback—has positioned them as a legitimate contender.

If the league schedules this game for the season opener, it would signal confidence in Daniels’ rise as the next big quarterback star. The rivalry with Philadelphia would gain even more momentum, and the ugly NFC Championship Game result could add extra intrigue.

If Washington makes key offseason additions—Myles Garrett, perhaps?—this game could be a high-intensity NFC East battle worthy of the NFL’s biggest stage.

Denver Broncos

Two years ago, the NFL bet on a young, up-and-coming Lions team to kick off the season against the reigning champion Chiefs—and it paid off. The league could take a similar approach with the Bo Nix-led Broncos.

Under Sean Payton, Denver returned to the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons, proving they are a rising force. The Broncos’ defense, featuring Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain, could challenge Philly’s high-powered offense.

If Nix and the offense continue to develop, this could be a thrilling opening-night clash. Plus, Sean Payton’s presence always adds an extra layer of intrigue to a prime-time showdown.

Final Thoughts

As the Eagles prepare to defend their title, their opening-night opponent remains uncertain. Whether it’s a conference heavyweight like Detroit, a divisional rival like Washington, or an emerging team like Denver, Philadelphia’s home opener promises to be a must-watch event to kick off the 2025 NFL season.