Road trips can be one of the best parts of the NFL season, and rivalries make the atmosphere even better. If you’re looking to check out a game in person during Thanksgiving weekend, make sure to target one of these three big events.
3 NFL Road Trips to Make For Rivalry Games (Week 12)
Falcons at Saints
The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints have one of the greatest rivalries in the game, and the Superdome is one of the best environments in sports. While the NFL rivalry may have died down a bit from the Drew Brees and Matt Ryan heyday, you’ll still have a tough time finding a more exciting environment for a road trip.
While the Saints season is effectively over, the 3-3 Atlanta Falcons could be fighting for their playoff lives in this contest. While they’re currently trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, they have a decent shot of earning a playoff spot if they keep winning and quarterback Michael Penix keeps improving. The Falcons will be fighting for their playoff lives, while the Saints would probably love to play spoiler, and second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler will still be fighting to prove himself as a legitimate franchise quarterback.
Eagles at Cowboys
If you can only make one NFL road trip in 2025, make it this one. The Philadelphia Eagles travel to JerryWorld to face off against the Dallas Cowboys in what should be one of the best games of the season. On paper, this matchup has everything you could possibly want: great quarterbacks, strong overall rosters, a likely high-scoring affair, and two teams that hate each other possibly battling for the division.
The Philadelphia Eagles currently control the NFC East with a 5-2 record, but the Cowboys are right on their tail. Currently owning a 3-3-1 record, Dallas has the potential to win any given game with the way Dak Prescott is playing. The quarterback is legitimately putting up MVP numbers, and if he keeps this up, the winner of this game could determine who wins the NFC East. Hosting a home game is much better than traveling in the playoffs, and you know the fans will understand the importance of this contest. The energy in the crowd will be second to none, and the game itself should be evenly matched.
Colts at Chiefs
This one isn’t technically a rivalry game, but it’s one of the best projected contests on the Week 12 slate. Everybody expected the Kansas City Chiefs to be good in 2025, but nobody thought the Colts would have a better record through seven weeks of action. Currently sitting at 6-1, Daniel Jones and the Colts have the best record in football and complete control of the first seed in the AFC. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are a solid 4-3 but are behind the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West. Both teams desperately need to win as many games as physically possible from now until the end of the regular season, and the crowd will know this.
Additionally, Arrowhead Stadium has one of the best atmospheres in football. It’s arguably the loudest stadium in the game, and who wouldn’t want to see Patrick Mahomes battling it out against elite competition?
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Planning To Attend
Tickets: Navigating the Sports Marketplace
Securing official tickets is the first and often most stressful part of any fan journey. Scalpers, fake websites, and sold-out events are common obstacles, so it’s important to use verified sources. Additionally, joining sports fan channels on messaging platforms lets you track real-time updates about ticket availability, group bookings, and transportation to the venue. And in most cases, you can find more forgiving ticket sellers who are willing to not gouge fellow fans.
The Power of eSIM Technology
One essential aspect of fan travel often overlooked until it’s too late, is data connectivity abroad for NFL fans looking to attend a game Stateside or for North American fans looking at the NFL International Series. This is where eSIM Plus and similar technologies step in, making it easier than ever to stay connected no matter where your team plays.
Once your tickets and accommodation are settled, the next major concern is mobile data. For any traveler – and especially for sports fans navigating new cities – connectivity is non-negotiable. You’ll need maps to reach the stadium, translation apps to communicate with locals, and social media to share your experiences with the global fan community.
This is where eSIM technology comes into play. Short for “embedded SIM,” eSIM eliminates the need to swap physical SIM cards when traveling abroad. Instead, it lets you download a digital data plan directly onto your phone, providing immediate access to local networks.
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Accommodation: Staying Close to the Action
After securing your tickets, the next priority is finding accommodation that balances proximity, comfort, and budget. For sports fans, location is everything – staying near the stadium or arena allows you to soak up the atmosphere, join fan parades, and avoid transportation chaos after the event.
Hotels near popular venues tend to fill up fast, often months before the event. Alternatives like Airbnb or local guesthouses can be more affordable and immersive, letting you experience the host city through the eyes of its residents.
For large events like the FIFA World Cup or the Olympics, fans often coordinate group bookings. Shared accommodations can help reduce costs, but they require communication tools that work across countries. This is another area where virtual numbers come in handy – many accommodation sites send booking confirmations or check-in details via SMS, which can be easily managed through a virtual number without revealing your personal data.
Security-wise, this approach also protects your identity. By using a separate number for verification, you can safely register on multiple booking platforms, event sites, or ride-sharing apps during your travels without risking your main phone number.
Main Photo: Tim Heitman – Imagn Images
