(Metro News Service) The National Football League is among the most popular professional sports leagues in the world. Football fans seemingly can't get enough of the NFL, and the excitement around the start of a new season returns every year in late summer, when teams start to ramp up their preseason preparation in anticipation of the season's opening week in early September. As the NFL season gets set to kick off, fans can circle these noteworthy early-season games on their calendars.

· Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets, September 7, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ: Though the Jets seem to be in rebuilding mode and the Steelers are not among the favorites to win a Super Bowl in the coming season, that does not mean this matchup lacks intrigue. Aaron Rodgers returns to MetLife Stadium with his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and will undoubtedly face a Jets fan base that grew frustrated by the future Hall of Famer's injury-plagued and pedestrian performance as Gang Green's signal caller over the previous two seasons.

· Washington Commanders at Green Bay Packers, September 11, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin: Reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels led an exciting and largely unexpected revival of the Commanders franchise a season ago, and fans are anxious to see if he can continue his success in year two. The Packers enter the 2025 season with high hopes as well, and this Thursday night matchup features Daniels locking horns with Jordan Love, another of the league's exciting young quarterbacks.

· Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs, September 14, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri: A rematch of Super Bowl LIX gives Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and crew another shot at Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, who largely dominated the two-time defending champions to secure Philadelphia's second Super Bowl championship in February. Football fans are eager to see if the Chiefs' run atop the league is over or if Super Bowl LIX was just a blip on the radar, while the Eagles have their eyes set on a repeat.

· Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions, September 14, Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan: Though the Lions faltered in the second round of the playoffs a year ago, excitement remains high around a franchise that has enjoyed considerable success in recent years. Much of that success was credited to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who left the Lions' sidelines this offseason to take the reins with the NFC North division rival Chicago Bears. Can Johnson replicate his Detroit success with promising second-year quarterback Caleb Williams? Time will tell, but this Week 2 matchup is one no NFL fan will want to miss.

· Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings, September 21, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota: The Vikings surprised many football fans a year ago when journeyman signal caller Sam Darnold led the team to a 14-3 mark after Minnesota lost first-round pick and projected starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy before the season even began. Darnold is now in Seattle, and McCarthy figures to make his long-awaited debut. This Week 3 matchup against Joe Burrow and the Bengals could offer insight into whether or not the Vikings can reach the same heights the franchise rose to a year ago.

The first month of the 2025 NFL season offers many intriguing matchups to satisfy diehard fans who can't get enough football.