NFL Schedule Rollout Ramps Up With Full Thanksgiving Slate, Leak Frenzy

Widespread Leaks

While those official game announcements have all been part of the NFL’s ongoing efforts to turn the schedule release into another tentpole event, leaks of other matchups across the 272-game slate were easily accessible Wednesday and early Thursday.

Topping the list of those leaks is the reveal of the league’s kickoff game on NBC featuring a Super Bowl LX rematch between the Patriots and Seahawks. While New England was one of the potential choices for the primetime showcase following the Seahawks’ dominant victory in February, that decision is still something of a surprise on multiple fronts. Among the factors surrounding that choice:

• The NFL has not staged an immediate Super Bowl rematch to start the next season since 2016 with the Broncos and Panthers.
• A Super Bowl rematch frequently generates strong ratings at any time of the season, and a Week 2 broadcast last year between the Chiefs and Eagles averaged 33.8 million viewers, representing the most-watched game of the 2025 regular season behind only two Thanksgiving games.
• The high-profile slot will almost certainly raise the scrutiny further around Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel following revelations of his personal relationship with reporter Dianna Russini.

That kickoff game shifted to Wed., Sept. 9 due to the international game in Australia the following day.

Separate reports, meanwhile, pointed to the Thanksgiving Day schedule finishing with a primetime clash between top AFC rivals Kansas City and Buffalo.

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