As it does every year, the NFL turns its schedule release into a full-blown media spectacle. While matchups have been known for months, the spotlight always falls on two key elements of the announcement: the Week 1 schedule and the bye weeks, which can significantly impact a team’s performance over the course of the season.
Assigning bye weeks presents a complex challenge for NFL schedule makers. The league strives to avoid giving teams any major rest advantages or disadvantages. They also look at previous seasons to ensure teams don’t receive early or late byes in consecutive years. Teams playing international games often receive a bye to help adjust to the time zone difference.
When Do Bye Weeks Begin in 2025?
The 2025 NFL bye weeks begin in Week 5 and run through Week 14, with one notable exception: there will be no byes in Week 13, as every team will be in action over Thanksgiving weekend. The league aims to balance player rest throughout the year, though it’s not always perfect.
An early bye can force a team to grind through the rest of the season without another break, while a late bye can offer a much-needed rest – or kill momentum for a team that’s been on a roll.
Week 5
Chicago Bears
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 6
Minnesota Vikings
Houston Texans
Week 7
Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens
Week 8
Detroit Lions
Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Rams
Seattle Seahawks
Jacksonville Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders
Week 9
Philadelphia Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Jets
Cleveland Browns
Week 10
Dallas Cowboys
Cincinnati Bengals
Tennessee Titans
Kansas City Chiefs
Week 11
New Orleans Saints
Indianapolis Colts
Week 12
Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins
Denver Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers
Week 13
No byes (Thanksgiving weekend)
Week 14
New York Giants
Carolina Panthers
San Francisco 49ers
New England Patriots
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