Locals In The NFL: Best Matchups To Watch In Week One

The 2025 NFL season officially kicked off today!

While Thursday’s opener between Philadelphia and Dallas features few ties to the state of Utah, there are plenty of intriguing matchups through Monday worth following.

Here’s a look at the top games — including the one we think stands out above the rest.

The wait is over… Week 1 is here 😎 pic.twitter.com/BkdX22DT8d

— NFL (@NFL) September 4, 2025

Noteworthy Locals In The NFL Week 1 Matchups

Chargers vs. Chiefs – Friday, September 5 at 6:00 p.m. (MT)

Kansas City head coach and former BYU Cougar Andy Reid takes his team into a week one matchup on the West Coast against Los Angeles.

Suiting up for the Chiefs is second-year BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia alongside two rookies, Utah State receiver Jalen Royals and Kearns High linebacker Jeffrey Bassa.

Two more High School standouts can be found on the other side in Herriman offensive lineman Andre James and Orem High safety Alohi Gilman.

Packers vs. Lions – Sunday, September 7 at 2:25 p.m. (MT)

For Detroit, former Desert Hills star Penei Sewell and former Utah two-way star Sione Vaki will suit up. Sewell was just voted as the 13th best player in the NFL by his peers on the annual top 100 list. Vaki will look to fill a bigger role with the Lions in his sophomore season.

For the Packers, former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love and two former BYU Cougars, running back Chris Brooks and safety Zayne Anderson, will take the field. Anderson is currently listed as questionable, but all signs point to him being available in week one.

Local angle aside, this should be a great matchup between two NFC North opponents who have sights set on the postseason.

It. All. Starts. Here. pic.twitter.com/VZ2YdA5Gtq

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 2, 2025

Rams vs. Texans – Sunday, September 7 at 2:25 p.m. (MT)

A battle between two local pass catchers will take place in SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

Each team features just one local, but each is a player who could make some big plays to open the season. Lineing up on the outside for Los Angeles is former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua. Heading into his eighth season with Houston is former Bigham High tight end Dalton Schultz.

Both Nacua and Schultz look to bounce back from down seasons a year ago. Nacua steps in as WR1 for the first time in his career and Schultz reman the number one TE option for the Texans.

Broncos vs. Titans – Sunday, September 7 at 2:05 p.m. (MT)

You will see Denver in these articles a lot this season as they are one of seven teams with three or more locals on the roster.

In week one, they will face former Broncos and Utes linebacker Cody Barton, who just signed a three-year deal with Tennessee this offseason. On the Broncos roster is three former Utes: linebacker Jonah Elliss, linebacker Karene Reid, and offensive lineman Garett Bolles.

Denver is looking to improve upon their record and results from last season with one of the best defenses in the NFL. Both Reid and Elliss could be big contributors starting in week one.

Honorable Mentions

• • Former BYU RB Tyler Allgier, former Utah CB Clark Phillips III, and Judge Memorial LB Kaden Elliss will look to lead the Falcons to a win over the Buccaneers at 11:00 a.m. (MT) on Sunday.
  • Former Utes, WR Tim Patrick and LB Devin Lloyd, and the Jacksonville Jaguars take on former BYU OT Brady Christensen and the Carolina Panthers at 11:00 a.m. (MT) on Sunday.
  • Three locals on the Saints, Utah WR Devaughn Vele, Weber State WR Rashid Shaheed, and Utah safety Julian Blackmon, look to lead the team to a win over the Arizona Cardinals at 11:00 a.m. (MT) on Sunday. Former BYU TE Taysom Hill is also with New Orleans, but he is starting the season on the injured reserve.
  • Finally, Orem High LB Noah Sewell, Southern Utah OL Braxton Jones, and Utah CB Jaylon Johnson will suit up as the Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings at 6:15 p.m. (MT) on Monday.

157 Days
3,768 Hours
225,080 Minutes
13,560,000 Seconds

Until #SBLX

And it all starts today…

— NFL (@NFL) September 4, 2025

Week One’s Top Game To Tune In To For Locals

Bills vs. Ravens – Sunday, September 7 at 6:20 p.m. (MT)

It just so happens that the best game for local ties is Sunday Night Football in week one. Three of the top ten locals from our preseason player power rankings will be in this matchup.

Buffalo has four locals tied for the most on any team in the NFL. Highland High tight end Jackson Hawes, Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid, Utah safety Cole Bishop, and Weber State cornerback Taron Johnson.

Baltimore has just one local, but it’s a heavy-hitter. Former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy.

On top of all of the locals, both Baltimore and Buffalo are teams that many see as Super Bowl contenders coming into this season. It should be a great game and a great week of NFL football.

About #LocalsInTheNFL

For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.

Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.

From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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