Star quarterbacks headline Sunday Night Football’s 20th season kickoff
TOI World Desk | Sep 02, 2025, 22:15 IST
Sunday Night Football launches its 20th season this week with a star-studded lineup featuring Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Dak Prescott. The opening game sees the Philadelphia Eagles raise their Super Bowl banner against the Dallas Cowboys, followed by a primetime AFC showdown between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. With Patrick Mahomes, Jordan Love, and Jared Goff also featured in upcoming weeks, NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo are set to deliver a season filled with marquee matchups, playoff implications, and expanded streaming access. Celebrating two decades as America’s number one primetime TV program, SNF continues its reign as the centerpiece of the NFL season.
The NFL’s most-watched primetime show is about to celebrate a milestone as Sunday Night Football starts its 20th season this week. Fans can expect an exciting opening lineup with Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Dak Prescott leading their teams into some highly anticipated matchups. The program returns on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo, featuring new broadcast elements and a focus on delivering top games from beginning to end.
Eagles raise their banner against Cowboys
The season officially begins Thursday night in Philadelphia, where the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys in a rivalry game. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, coming off an MVP-level postseason, will lead the Eagles as they unveil their championship banner to their home crowd. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys aim to spoil the celebration and launch their own season with a big win.
This meeting marks the 17th time these NFC East rivals have faced each other on Sunday Night Football, the most frequent matchup in the show's history. With both teams expected to contend for the playoffs, the opener carries significant importance in the NFC standings.
Sunday spotlight features Allen vs. Jackson
The excitement continues on Sunday, when Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson go head-to-head in a prime-time showdown of MVP quarterbacks. The Bills and Ravens last met in the 2024 playoffs, where Allen’s team advanced after a nail-biting divisional-round game. This time, Jackson returns with a renewed focus and improved offensive tools.
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET, following the season debut of Football Night in America. This matchup not only highlights two of the league’s most exciting quarterbacks but also showcases the AFC’s shifting power dynamic.
More star matchups on deck
Looking beyond opening week, NBC’s schedule is full of high-profile games. Fans will see Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in several national broadcasts, Jordan Love’s Green Bay Packers testing their young roster against established contenders, and Jared Goff’s Detroit Lions aiming to build on last year’s playoff run. Rivalry games, playoff rematches, and divisional clashes are spread throughout the season, keeping the schedule filled with thrilling moments.
Expanding the reach of primetime football
This anniversary season also highlights the growing role of streaming in NFL viewership. Peacock will stream every Sunday Night Football game, including playoff matchups and Football Night in America. The platform will also feature an exclusive Week 17 prime-time game on December 27, increasing access for fans.
Telemundo Deportes will offer full Spanish-language coverage of the SNF schedule, including playoff games and Super Bowl LX. This expanded reach reflects the NFL’s efforts to serve diverse audiences and establish primetime football as a global event.
A tradition of television dominance
For 14 consecutive years, Sunday Night Football has been the number one primetime program on American television. This streak includes a strong appeal to younger viewers, with streaming numbers on Peacock driving new growth. As the NFL celebrates two decades of SNF, the combination of star quarterbacks, divisional rivalries, and multimedia distribution ensures that the brand remains a key player in sports entertainment.
This season’s kickoff promises both excitement and depth. With banner ceremonies, superstar matchups, and playoff-level stakes in Week 1, the NFL’s most celebrated primetime series is ready to impress once again.