Jul 27, 2025
·Emily Kho
Prime-time NFL matchups might grab headlines, but they also come with higher ticket prices, tighter seating competition and late-night travel hassles.
If you're looking for better value, lower prices and a more laid-back game-day experience, afternoon and early-slot NFL games are your best bet. These under-the-radar matchups usually kick off Sundays at 1 PM or 4 PM local time. Best of all, these games still bring plenty of action without the primetime markup.
Whether you’re a die-hard traveler or just trying to score affordable seats close to home, here are the best-value NFL games to catch live in 2025 that aren’t under the lights.
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Sunday, September 7, 2025 @ 4:25 PM ET / 3:25 PM CT
The NFC North rivalry opens the 2025 season on the road for Detroit at historic Lambeau Field, and this one’s not on Sunday Night Football. Kicking off at 4:25 PM ET, it lands in the late-afternoon slot, offering all the intensity of a divisional showdown without the inflated prime-time pricing.
Early September temperatures at Lambeau are generally mild, so outdoor fans can expect a classic fall atmosphere. With the game not nationally televised, resale prices in the upper level and end zones tend to remain reasonable, especially as local fans sometimes adjust plans the night before.
SeatGeek users who leverage Deal Score and set alerts could land solid seats close to game day. Get tickets on SeatGeek.
Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
Sunday, September 7, 2025 @ 2:05 PM CT / 4:05 PM ET / 2:05 PM MT
The opening weekend matchup between the Broncos and Titans is one of the smartest early-season buys on the 2025 schedule. This game kicks off at 2:05 PM local time, which keeps it solidly out of the prime-time conversation.
The Titans are also one of several teams without a single national broadcast slot this season, meaning demand and ticket prices are likely to stay moderate.
As a Week 1 game, it carries that fresh-season energy without the inflated hype that often surrounds divisional rivals or night games. Expect lower upper-level pricing, decent availability in club sections, and a loud, enthusiastic Nashville crowd excited to start the year.
If you're road-tripping or booking a last-minute flight, this is a low-stress, high-fun option.
Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings – London
Sunday, October 5, 2025 @ 2:30 PM BST / 9:30 AM ET / 8:30 AM CT
This international game is a perfect mix of novelty and value. The Browns are the only NFL team with zero prime-time appearances in 2025, making this London showdown their most unique ticket of the season.
Scheduled for a daytime kickoff in the U.K., the game streams live in the U.S. during a friendly morning window, making it perfect for fans seeking a full day of football without sacrificing sleep.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium offers premium sightlines, clean amenities, and thousands of resale options as local ticket holders look to offload. For American fans thinking of a football-inspired Europe trip, this matchup offers strong value without the elevated prices typically associated with prime-time or playoff-caliber games.
Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons
Sunday, October 26, 2025 @ 1:00 PM ET
This scheduled early-window matchup between the Dolphins and Falcons begins at 1:00 PM ET, comfortably outside any late-night TV slots. It’s a straightforward Sunday afternoon game, with both teams outside of heavy prime-time rotations. It’s a smart pick for fans looking to enjoy NFL action in Atlanta’s dome without breaking the bank.
Mercedes‑Benz Stadium is known for its fan-friendly seating and excellent sightlines. In 2025, the Falcons’ home games don’t spike in demand unless the team is dominating early, so ticket prices here tend to stay reasonable.
It’s a great opportunity for Southeast travelers or local fans seeking a convenient, mid-day game-day experience, especially if you want to combine it with a weekend in the city.
Denver Broncos at Houston Texans
Sunday, November 2, 2025 @ 12:00 PM CT / 10:00 AM PT
This early-afternoon matchup at NRG Stadium pits the Texans against the Broncos. With a noon kickoff, it's comfortably outside the prime-time window and opens the door for strong value.
Indoor comfort meets competitive AFC action, making it an excellent option for local fans and travelers alike.
The Texans tend to maintain a steady but not overwhelming demand, and Broncos fans traveling to Houston add to the energy without driving prices up too sharply.
For seat-hunters, Deal Score often highlights lower-bowl and club-level availability at modest markups even as game day nears. Add to that the convenience of pre-game planning and stress-free exit logistics, and this game stands out as a top pick for early-window NFL action on SeatGeek.
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, December 14, 2025 @ 1:00 PM ET
This Sunday afternoon game pits the Jaguars against the Jets at EverBank Stadium and carries no primetime or flex slot designation.
Fans get a classic mid-December outing: mild weather, casual family atmosphere and an opportunity to see a major-market rival in a smaller-market setting. Jacksonville's relaxed resale environment means ticket prices tend to stay reasonable, even when the visiting fan bases from New York arrive.
This setup makes it ideal for families, casual fans or NYC escapees looking for a comfortable game-day experience without the chaos of primetime crowds. It's a smart pick for anyone seeking football in the Florida sunshine.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
Sunday, December 21, 2025 @ 5:05 PM ET / 3:05 PM MT
This Week 16 showdown sends the Jaguars to Denver for an afternoon clash at Empower Field at Mile High, comfortably outside the national primetime spotlight.
Both teams are competitive in 2025, but this game wasn’t selected for prime-time coverage, keeping ticket prices and pressure lower.
Denver’s vertical stadium layout and forest of resale inventory often translate to reasonably priced upper-deck and club-level tickets. Plus, the Peyton Manning era experience, crisp mountain air and the Rockies backdrop create a scenic, energetic setting.
For SeatGeek users, that means big-stage excitement without big-stage markups, especially when tracking Deal Scores in the days leading up to kickoff.
Don’t Pay Extra for the Spotlight
Prime-time games may get the cameras, but afternoon football is where real value lives. Whether it’s a crisp December matchup at Lambeau, a cozy dome game in Houston or an international event in London, non-primetime NFL games give you more for less.
Use SeatGeek’s tools to filter, track, and score great seats while everyone else is distracted by the bright lights.
Check the 2025 NFL schedule now and start tracking these matchups. The best seats won’t last, even when the lights are off.