Week 1 is basically a liar. We see teams look like world-beaters for sixty minutes only to fall off a cliff seven days later. That is why the nfl football schedule week 2 matters more than almost any other window in September. It is the "reality check" week. By the time Monday night wraps up, we usually know who is actually a contender and who just got lucky in their opener.
The 2025 schedule for Week 2, which took place from September 11 to September 15, was specifically designed to test the endurance of several early-season narratives. We had a Super Bowl LIX rematch, a legendary quarterback trying to prove he wasn't "washed" in a new uniform, and the first Monday night doubleheader of the year.
If you were looking for the exact dates and times to look back on or check for historical context, here is how that chaotic week actually shook out.
The Prime Time Anchors
The NFL knows how to build a schedule. They start with a solid Thursday night appetizer and end with a frantic Monday night sprint.
Thursday Night Football: September 11
The week kicked off in Green Bay. The Washington Commanders traveled to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. It was a massive test for a young Washington squad trying to find its identity under the lights. The Packers took this one 27-18, pushing themselves to a 2-0 start and leaving Washington at 1-1. Prime Video handled the broadcast, which has basically become the norm for these Thursday slots.
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Sunday Night Football: September 14
NBC’s marquee game featured the Atlanta Falcons at the Minnesota Vikings. This was a fascinating clash of styles. The Vikings defended their home turf with a 22-6 victory. It wasn't the offensive explosion people expected from Atlanta, but it proved that Minnesota’s defense was the real deal early in the 2025 season.
Monday Night Doubleheader: September 15
Monday night was a fever dream for fans. Two games. Overlapping windows.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans: The Bucs squeezed out a 20-19 win at NRG Stadium.
- Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Chargers: This was the late-night capper. The Chargers handled business with a 20-9 win in the desert.
The Sunday Afternoon Chaos
Most of the nfl football schedule week 2 happens in that 1:00 PM ET window where eight or nine games are going at once. It’s hard to keep track of, honestly.
The 1:00 PM ET Window (Sunday, Sept 14)
- New York Jets at Buffalo Bills: A classic AFC East grudge match. Buffalo won 30-10, making a loud statement that the division still runs through them.
- Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants: This one was surprisingly high-scoring. The Cowboys edged it out 40-37 in Arlington.
- Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions: A huge NFC North battle. The Lions absolutely mauled the Bears, 52-21. It was one of those games where nothing went right for Chicago.
- San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints: The Niners stayed steady with a 26-21 win in the Superdome.
- Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore's defense was suffocating here, winning 41-17.
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals: A close one at Paycor Stadium, with the Bengals winning 31-27.
- Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers, now in a Steelers jersey, led a 34-32 victory that had the city of Pittsburgh believing again.
- New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins: The Patriots pulled off a bit of an upset, winning 33-27.
- Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans: The Rams offense looked unstoppable in a 33-19 win.
The Late Afternoon Slate (Sunday, Sept 14)
The late window was smaller but had the biggest game of the week.
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- Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs: This was the Super Bowl LIX rematch. The Eagles went into Arrowhead and won 20-17. It sent the Chiefs to a shocking 0-2 start.
- Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts: A tight 29-28 win for the Colts.
- Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals won 27-22 in a battle of teams looking to escape the basement of their respective divisions.
Why the Week 2 Schedule is a Trap
Kinda crazy how much things change in just one week, right? Historically, teams that start 0-2 have about an 11% chance of making the playoffs. That is why the nfl football schedule week 2 feels so desperate. For a team like the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025, losing that Week 2 game to Philadelphia put them in a hole they haven't seen in years.
People always talk about "must-win" games in December. But honestly? A "must-win" in September is just as important because it prevents the locker room from spiraling. When you look at the Lions putting up 52 points on the Bears, that isn't just a win—it's a psychological blow to a division rival that resonates for the rest of the season.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Schedule
If you're tracking the NFL schedule, whether for betting, fantasy, or just being a die-hard fan, you've got to look past the surface level.
1. Watch the Travel: Notice how the Rams had to go to Tennessee while the Eagles had to fly to KC. Long-distance travel on a short week is a killer. Always check which teams are playing their second consecutive road game.
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2. The 0-1 Desperation Factor: In Week 2, teams that lost their opener usually play with a different level of intensity. They are "backs against the wall" before the season even really starts.
3. Divisional Weight: Games like Bears/Lions or Jets/Bills in Week 2 carry double the value. Winning a tiebreaker in September is just as good as winning one in January.
4. Prime Time Fatigue: Teams playing on Monday night (like the Texans or Chargers) have a significantly shorter turnaround for Week 3. If you see a team look sluggish in Week 3, look back at their Week 2 schedule. It usually explains a lot.
The nfl football schedule week 2 isn't just a list of games. It is a series of litmus tests. It’s where we find out if the Week 1 "superstars" were just a flash in the pan. By the time the Chargers and Raiders finished up late on that Monday night in September, the hierarchy of the league looked completely different than it did just five days prior.
Keep a close eye on the injury reports coming out of these specific Sunday windows. Week 2 is often where the "attrition" of the season begins to show, especially for teams with aging rosters or thin offensive lines. Understanding the flow of the schedule—who is home, who is traveling, and who is desperate—is the only way to actually predict what happens on the field.