This children’s article, It’s kick-off time: A kids’ guide to the new NFL season, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn how the NFL season works, and get excited about football. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
What happened last season?
The 2024 season ended with the Philadelphia Eagles winning the Super Bowl (Super Bowl LIX), beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in New Orleans. It was a big win that Chiefs fans will remember for years!
We also saw amazing players shine, especially Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills quarterback, who was awarded the title of MVP. The season was full of jaw-dropping touchdowns, heroic tackles, and incredible teamwork, and we expect more of the same this season.
The start of a new season
The 2025 NFL season officially kicks off on September 4th! And what a game it is to get thighs started. The Super Bowl champions, the Eagles, host the Dallas Cowboys.
Week One will burst into action with teams across the U.S. taking to the field, as fans put on their team jerseys, and get out loads of snacks, as they prepare to welcome back the gridiron excitement!
How the NFL season works
The NFL season begins with a short preseason in August, but the real fun starts in September. Each of the 32 NFL teams plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks, with one “bye” week off.
During these games, teams face off against rivals, accumulate points, and compete to be one of the best. After the regular season ends in early January 2026, the best teams enter the playoffs, and the top two teams battle it out until the final showdown: Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California.
What are the playoffs and the Super Bowl?
After the regular season, the playoffs begin in mid-January, starting with exciting Wild Card games, then moving on to the Divisional and Conference Championship rounds.
All this builds up to the Super Bowl, the football championship that almost everyone in the USA watches. It’s like a huge party full of touchdowns, dances, and celebrations to crown the best team in the country.
Predictions: Who to watch this season
Heading into 2025, the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are strong favourites. Both have great odds to win their divisions and make deep playoff runs, with the Ravens even among the top choices to lift the Super Bowl trophy.
That means star players like Josh Allen and top defenders like Pat Surtain will be the ones to keep an eye on. Will they bring their best, or will new players emerge from underdog teams? Who knows, but the fun part is that we get to watch it all and find out!
Article vocabulary list
- Regular season – The main series of games teams play every year.
- Bye week – A week when a team doesn’t play.
- Playoffs – A mini-tournament after the regular season to find the champion.
- Wild Card – The first round of playoff games for teams that just made it in.
- Championship – The game that decides who goes to the Super Bowl.
- Super Bowl – The final and biggest game of the NFL season.
- Favoured team – The team that experts think will win.
- Rivalry – A game between two teams that really, really don’t like losing to each other.
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Who won the Super Bowl at the end of last season?
A) Kansas City Chiefs
B) Philadelphia Eagles
C) Buffalo Bills
Answer: B) Philadelphia Eagles
2. When does the 2025 regular NFL season begin?
A) September 1st
B) September 4th
C) September 10th
Answer: B) September 4th
3. How many regular-season games does each team play?
A) 16
B) 17
C) 18
Answer: B) 17
4. When do the playoffs start?
A) Early January 2026
B) Late September 2025
C) February 2026
Answer: A) Early January 2026
5. Which teams are strong contenders this season?
A) Ravens and Bills
B) Jets and Giants
C) Saints and Panthers
Answer: A) Ravens and Bills
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
