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Fox Sports is making a bold play in the 2025 NFL season, one that's bound to surprise longtime viewers. The network has decided to reduce the number of Dallas Cowboys games in its high-profile 4:25 p.m. ET window, a move that reflects changing viewer habits and the rise of other compelling NFL storylines.
Mike Mulvihill, President of insights and analytics at FOX Sports, confirmed the shift in an interview with The Athletic, saying that the goal was to create a more balanced showcase of teams. "Only three of our 4:25 p.m. games this year are Cowboys games," Mulvihill revealed. "In other years, we've looked for five or six." Instead, Fox is turning the spotlight toward teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and even the Washington Commanders, hoping to capitalize on narratives like rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels' debut season.
Detroit and Philly move to center stage
Last season, the Lions became a ratings sensation, overtaking Dallas as the most-watched team on nationally televised broadcasts, averaging 22.65 million viewers per game according to Sportico. This season, Fox will promote four Philadelphia Eagles matchups and three Lions games in the prized 4:25 window, signaling a clear intent to diversify its programming and lean into rising fan interest.
A Super Bowl rematch between the Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 is one of the headline games set to draw huge numbers.
The Cowboys still draw, but they're sharing the limelight
Despite a disappointing 7-10 finish last season and losing quarterback Dak Prescott to a hamstring injury in Week 9, the Cowboys remain a marquee franchise. They'll still appear in six primetime games, just one behind the Chiefs, including appearances on NBC, ESPN, CBS, Amazon Prime, and even Netflix for a special Christmas Day matchup.
Still, the message is clear: while the Cowboys remain "America's Team," Fox is no longer treating them as the automatic centerpiece of its Sunday programming.
A more varied NFL viewing experience
This change could be welcome news for fans outside of Dallas who've grown tired of the Cowboys' constant presence in Fox's marquee window. Mulvihill summed it up best: "It's still gonna be the Cowboys sometimes this year, but you'll see a little bit more variety."