On Wednesday, the NFL finalized the home teams for its 2025 International Series.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared a rundown of the designated home teams for the league’s seven international games, including the first games played in Madrid (Dolphins) and Dublin (Steelers).
The 2025 schedule likely won’t be released until mid-May, but we already know each team’s opponents for the upcoming season.
With that in mind, here are the seven games we want to see featured this year.
Brazil
Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers: For the second consecutive year, the NFL will play in Brazil on the opening Friday of the season, with the Chargers announced as the home team on Wednesday.
How about a wild-card rematch to get things started? The Chargers would likely relish the opportunity to avenge their 32-12 drubbing at the Texans in January. Los Angeles was in control of that game before Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud’s absurd 3rd-and-16 completion from his end zone on a broken play in the second quarter kick-started Houston’s offense.
London
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley Stadium)
What did London do to deserve getting home games from the Jets, Browns and Jaguars? Those three teams went a combined 12-39 in 2024, making it hard to get excited about any potential matchup.
At least by sending the Broncos overseas, London fans will witness one 2024 playoff team. The 49ers were a disappointing 6-11 last season but should improve with better health.
A potential Panthers-Jaguars game might be the most intriguing of the three London games. Former Bucs offensive coordinators Dave Canales and Liam Coen would match wits with No. 1 picks Bryce Young and Trevor Lawrence squaring off for the first time. Both quarterbacks have had rocky starts to their pro careers, which could raise the stakes when the two teams meet.
Berlin
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts: Former Eagles coordinators Jonathan Gannon and Shane Steichen are entering pivotal third seasons with their respective franchises. Gannon is 12-22 in two seasons in Arizona, while Steichen is 17-17. Depending on how each team’s season goes, the loser might not make it on the flight back home.
Madrid
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins have several intriguing possible opponents for their Madrid game, including 2024 playoff teams in the Ravens, Buccaneers and Commanders. But we can’t resist a potentially high-scoring game between the Bengals and Dolphins, two teams coming off disappointing seasons.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43) in 2024, while Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the league in completion percentage (72.9 percent). Tagovailoa is also the only NFL quarterback to post a passer rating above 100 in each of the past three seasons. (h/t Stathead)
Dublin
Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Super Bowl XL rematch could be a juicy matchup if quarterback Russell Wilson re-signs in Pittsburgh. That would set up the former Seahawks Super Bowl winner’s second career game against Seattle and first since Week 1 of 2022.
