Total Pro Sports
The NFL’s 2025 schedule is out, and as usual, fans are circling their calendars for the biggest matchups under the bright lights. But not everyone made the cut.
While 20 teams secured at least four primetime games, three AFC squads didn’t land a single one. The Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans are heading into the season without any scheduled Thursday, Sunday, or Monday night games.
That’s right- no primetime lights, no national stage. For these three, the NFL season will unfold entirely during daylight hours, barring future schedule changes. While it’s no surprise the league didn’t rush to feature a Titans team coming off a three-win campaign, the absence of the Colts and Browns from the evening slate raises some eyebrows.
The Titans are the only team in the league without a standalone game at all. Every other franchise, even those without primetime nods, has at least one unique time slot. Cleveland heads to London in Week 5 to face the Vikings in a Sunday morning kickoff. The Colts, meanwhile, take on the Falcons in Berlin during Week 10, also on a Sunday morning. Both games will air on NFL Network at 9:30 a.m. ET.
For Tennessee, the snub feels earned. The team finished at the bottom of the AFC South and hasn’t added a headline-grabbing name to change the narrative. But Indianapolis went 8-9 last year, finishing second in the division. Despite a competitive NFL season, uncertainty at quarterback may have cost them broader appeal. Without a clear face of the franchise, the Colts lack the storylines that networks love.
Here are the teams with the most primetime games for the 2025 season 🌙 pic.twitter.com/JJrQWcx8YJ
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) May 15, 2025
Cleveland’s omission stands out even more. The Browns face several tough opponents this season, including marquee matchups that usually attract national attention. Still, the NFL didn’t bite. Trading down from the No. 2 draft pick may have played a role, especially after Shedeur Sanders slid to the fifth round. Without a rookie quarterback expected to start, the team doesn’t offer the kind of flash that sells primetime slots.
Meanwhile, Caleb Williams and the Bears earned three primetime games off the buzz of his No. 1 overall selection. Kansas City, as expected, leads all teams with seven primetime appearances, followed by the Cowboys with six, including a Thanksgiving Day clash against the Chiefs.
There’s still hope. The NFL can flex up to two Sunday Night Football games between Weeks 5 and 10 and any in Week 17 or 18. For now, though, Cleveland, Indy, and Tennessee must earn their place the hard way.
Also Read: 10 Biggest NFL Names That Are Most Likely Still To Get Cut This 2025 Offseason
