So, you’re looking at the NFL week 7 2025 schedule and realizing your fantasy roster looks like a ghost town. Honestly, it happens every year around mid-October, but 2025 feels a bit different. We've got massive divisional rivalries, a London game that actually matters for once, and a Monday night doubleheader that's going to keep you up way past your bedtime if you're on the East Coast.
If you’re the kind of person who plans their life around kickoff times, this is the week where the "good" teams start separating themselves from the "pretenders." It’s basically the halfway point of the grind.
The Prime Time Heavyweights
Thursday night kicks off with a massive AFC North showdown. The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Cincinnati to face the Bengals on October 16. It's on Prime Video, and if history tells us anything about these two, it’s going to be physical, probably a little ugly, and full of flags.
Then we get to Sunday Night Football. The Atlanta Falcons are traveling to Santa Clara to take on the 49ers. There’s a lot of chatter about Brock Purdy’s health heading into this one, especially with those lingering turf toe rumors. If he's not 100%, the Falcons—who have been surprisingly scrappy this season—might actually have a shot at an upset at Levi's Stadium.
Monday night is a straight-up marathon. You've got:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (7:00 PM ET)
- Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks (10:00 PM ET)
Two games. One night. The Lions at home are always a vibe, but don't sleep on that Houston-Seattle matchup. C.J. Stroud in a loud Lumen Field environment is the kind of stuff scouts live for.
Making Sense of the Sunday Morning Chaos
If you’re a degenerate like me, you’re waking up at 9:30 AM ET for the London game. This time it's the Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars basically live in London at this point, but the Rams are a tough out. It’s the final London game of the 2025 season, so the NFL is definitely trying to go out with a bang.
Once that finishes, the 1:00 PM window hits you like a truck.
There are some weirdly compelling games here. You’ve got the Philadelphia Eagles at the Minnesota Vikings, which is usually a high-scoring mess. Then there's the Las Vegas Raiders visiting the Kansas City Chiefs. Mahomes vs. the Raiders is always personal, and Arrowhead is going to be deafening.
I’m also keeping an eye on Miami at Cleveland. The Browns' defense is usually a nightmare at home in October when the wind starts picking up off the lake. If the Dolphins can't handle the cold, that could be a long afternoon for Tyreek Hill and company.
The Bye Week Problem
Here is the part that’s going to ruin your weekend: the byes.
In the NFL week 7 2025 schedule, the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are both off.
That means no Lamar Jackson. No Josh Allen. No Stefon Diggs. If you have any of these guys on your fantasy team, you’re basically scouring the waiver wire for a prayer. It’s only two teams, but they are two of the most high-powered offenses in the league. It creates a massive void in the Sunday afternoon scoring.
Afternoon Slate and Divisional Grudges
The 4:00 PM window is surprisingly top-heavy. The big one is obviously the Washington Commanders at the Dallas Cowboys. This rivalry never gets old. Whether Washington is good or bad, they always play Dallas tough. Plus, it's a FOX game, so you know the production value will be through the roof.
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Over in the desert, the Green Bay Packers are playing the Arizona Cardinals. This is one of those "sneaky good" games. Both teams have young, mobile quarterbacks who can extend plays, and the grass in Glendale is always fast.
NFL Week 7 2025 Schedule: The Full Breakdown
Thursday, October 16
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals | 8:15 PM ET | Prime Video
Sunday, October 19
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (London) | 9:30 AM ET | NFL Network
- New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears | 1:00 PM ET | FOX
- Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings | 1:00 PM ET | FOX
- Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs | 1:00 PM ET | CBS
- Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns | 1:00 PM ET | CBS
- Carolina Panthers at New York Jets | 1:00 PM ET | FOX
- New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans | 1:00 PM ET | CBS
- New York Giants at Denver Broncos | 4:05 PM ET | CBS
- Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers | 4:05 PM ET | CBS
- Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys | 4:25 PM ET | FOX
- Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals | 4:25 PM ET | FOX
- Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers | 8:20 PM ET | NBC
Monday, October 20
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions | 7:00 PM ET | ABC/ESPN
- Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks | 10:00 PM ET | ESPN
Why This Week Matters
Honestly, Week 7 is where the "fatigue" starts to set in for players. You’ve been hitting people for two months. Injuries are piling up. Look at the New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos game. People might write that off, but it's a battle of two teams desperate to stay relevant in the wildcard race.
Expert analysts like those over at Footballguys and RotoBaller often point to this week as the "pivot point." If you're 2-4 right now, you have to win this week or your season is toast.
One thing people get wrong is assuming the home team has a massive advantage in the London game. It's actually the opposite sometimes. The travel lag is real. The Rams flying from the West Coast to London is a brutal trip. I’d be very careful betting on LA in that early morning slot.
Actionable Strategy for Week 7
If you're looking to make the most of this schedule, here's how to handle it:
- Check the London Status: If the Rams arrive in London late in the week (Friday or Saturday), fade them. The jet lag usually hits on day three.
- Watch the Weather in Cleveland: If it’s raining or windy, the Dolphins' passing game takes a massive hit.
- Fantasy Backup Plan: Since the Bills and Ravens are out, pick up your replacement QB now. Don't wait until Sunday morning when everyone else is panic-buying.
- Monday Night Double Header: Use the early Lions game to see how the turf is playing; it's a fast track that favors speed receivers.
Get your snacks ready. It's going to be a long, glorious weekend of football.