Every NFL team gets one week off during the regular season. It’s called a bye week. This break gives players time to rest, recover, and reset for the rest of the season.
As someone who tracks this every year, I can tell you—bye weeks matter more than you think. They shape how teams play. They affect fantasy football. They even change how fans watch the games.
Let’s break it all down.
What Is a Bye Week?
A bye week is a built-in week off during the 18-week NFL season. Each of the 32 teams gets one. That means no game for them that week. The rest of the league keeps playing.
This week off helps players heal and get ready for their next game. Coaches use it to fix what’s not working. It also gives teams a mental break during a long season.
The NFL spreads bye weeks across the schedule so that no team gets too much or too little rest.
Your 2025 NFL Bye Week Calendar
Here is the Week-by-Week Breakdown:
| Bye Week | Teams on Bye |
|---|---|
| Week 5 | Falcons, Bears, Packers, Steelers |
| Week 6 | Texans, Vikings |
| Week 7 | Ravens, Bills |
| Week 8 | Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, Raiders, Rams, Seahawks |
| Week 9 | Browns, Jets, Eagles, Buccaneers |
| Week 10 | Bengals, Cowboys, Chiefs, Titans |
| Week 11 | Colts, Saints |
| Week 12 | Broncos, Chargers, Dolphins, Commanders |
| Week 13 | No teams on bye |
| Week 14 | Panthers, Patriots, Giants, 49ers |
2025-2026 NFL Bye Weeks Schedule by Team
| Team | Bye Week |
|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Week 8 |
| Atlanta Falcons | Week 5 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Week 7 |
| Buffalo Bills | Week 7 |
| Carolina Panthers | Week 14 |
| Chicago Bears | Week 5 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Week 10 |
| Cleveland Browns | Week 9 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Week 10 |
| Denver Broncos | Week 12 |
| Detroit Lions | Week 8 |
| Green Bay Packers | Week 5 |
| Houston Texans | Week 6 |
| Indianapolis Colts | Week 11 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Week 8 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Week 10 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Week 8 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Week 12 |
| Los Angeles Rams | Week 8 |
| Miami Dolphins | Week 12 |
| Minnesota Vikings | Week 6 |
| New England Patriots | Week 14 |
| New Orleans Saints | Week 11 |
| New York Giants | Week 14 |
| New York Jets | Week 9 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Week 9 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Week 5 |
| San Francisco 49ers | Week 14 |
| Seattle Seahawks | Week 8 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Week 8 |
| Tennessee Titans | Week 10 |
| Washington Commanders | Week 12 |
NFL Bye Week Schedule Printable PDF
Need a hard copy? You can download the full 2025 NFL Bye Week schedule as a PDF. It’s useful for fantasy players or fans who like to track games on paper.
Why It’s Important
Fans care about bye weeks for a few reasons.
- Fantasy Football – You don’t want your top players sitting out the same week. One bad week could cost you a win.
- Game Planning—Teams often emerge stronger after the break. They have time to fix mistakes or change their strategy.
- Game Attendance – You can’t watch your team if they’re not playing. Simple as that.
I follow the NFL schedule closely each year. Bye weeks aren’t just a break. They’re a turning point for many teams. They give struggling teams a chance to catch up and winning teams a chance to stay sharp.
If you’re a fan, these weeks tell you more than who’s not playing. They help you plan. Whether you’re setting your fantasy lineup, grabbing tickets, or following your team week by week, this schedule helps you stay in the know.
Keep this list handy. It’ll make your football season smoother.