Highlighting NFC West blockbuster games of 2025 season

The NFL released its complete schedule for the 2025 season on Wednesday. Here is the blockbuster game (and another intriguing matchup) for every team in the NFC West.

Arizona Cardinals | Complete schedule

BLOCKBUSTER | at Dallas Cowboys, Nov. 3 (Week 9): 

There are two things that make this a blockbuster game for the Cardinals.

For one, anytime they play against the Dallas Cowboys there is going to be a spotlight on them, just because of the attention Dallas brings to every game.

It is also one of the Cardinals' few chances to show themselves in primetime as they make a visit to Dallas on Monday night for their only Monday night game of the season. It will be a great opportunity for an improving Cardinals team to show the country that their rebuild is on the right track. 

ALSO INTRIGUING | at San Francisco 49ers, Sept. 21 (Week 3):  

This will be a great opportunity for the Cardinals to make an early statement in the NFC West with their first divisional game. The Cardinals swept the season series against San Francisco a year ago, including a lopsided 47-24 win in Week 18 to close out the regular season. 

Arizona took a big step forward in 2024 by doubling its win total, and there is going to be big pressure to compete this season for a playoff spot in what might end up being a pretty winnable division. 

Los Angeles Rams | Complete schedule

BLOCKBUSTER | at Philadelphia Eagles, Sept. 21, Date (Week 3): 

Anytime you play the defending Super Bowl champions it is a big deal. It is an especially big deal for the Rams because they are returning to the site of their divisional playoff loss from a year ago. Would winning a Week 3 regular season game make up for losing an elimination game in the playoffs? Of course it wouldn't. But it's still a huge matchup and should be a tremendous game. 

ALSO INTRIGUING | vs. Detroit Lions, Dec. 14 (Week 15): 

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is not going to get many more opportunities to play against his former team, so this might be one of the last times he gets a chance to face the Lions. At least in the regular season. It should also be a fun game between two offenses that should have the potential to put up big points in a hurry. 

San Francisco 49ers | Complete schedule

BLOCKBUSTER | vs. Seattle Seahawks, TBD (Week 18): 

The stakes could be incredibly high for this edition of the 49ers-Seahawks rivalry, because it is not a stretch to imagine some sort of a playoff spot or playoff positioning being on the line for the regular season finale. Both teams should have legitimate playoff aspirations, but neither is so good on paper that it should have everything wrapped up by the end of the regular season. 

ALSO INTRIGUING | vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 21 (Week 3): 

As mentioned in the Cardinals section, this series did not go particularly well for the 49ers a year ago, losing both games, including a humiliating game to end the season. If the 49ers are going to bounce back in 2025, they are going to have to do better in divisional games after going just 1-5 against the NFC West. 

Seattle Seahawks | Complete schedule

BLOCKBUSTER | vs. Minnesota Vikings, Nov. 30 (Week 13):

The Seahawks traded starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and replaced him by signing Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100 million contract after a career year with the Vikings in 2024. Was that performance a fluke? Was it a sign of things to come for a late bloomer? Darnold will have a chance to make a statement against his former team. 

ALSO INTRIGUING | at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 14 (Week 2): 

Outside of a Super Bowl matchup 20 years ago, the Steelers and Seahawks don't really have much of a rivalry. But the intrigue here is going to be the DK Metcalf revenge game as the Seahawks' long-time superstar wide receiver gets to play his first game against his former team. The Seahawks traded Metcalf to the Steelers this offseason for a 2025 second-round draft pick.