Caleb Harris
2024 NFL Schedule is here, with the league revealing all of the next regular season’s competitions on Wednesday. Of course, there is no shortage of dramatic stories spread from September to January. But which of the newly announced games stand out as must-see TV?
Here are 10 of our favorite matchups, each of which deserves ample anticipation:
Date: Sunday, December 8 | Time: 1pm ET | TELEVISION: Fox
Kirk Cousins left Minnesota for Atlanta, only to find himself in an unexpected, if slight, quarterback controversy, with the Falcons quickly spending a top-10 pick on Michael Penix Jr. returning to his old stomping ground, where the Vikings can or not having rookie JJ McCarthy guide his own playoff aspirations.
Date: Monday, November 25th | Time: 8:15 pm ET | TELEVISION: ESPN
More than a decade after the two teams met in Super BowlJim and John Harbaugh will clash in NFL stage once again, with Jim’s Chargers likely looking more like an old-school contender around Justin Herbert, and John’s Ravens looking to get over the hump after an AFC title bid.
Date: Sunday, December 22nd | Time: 4:25 pm ET | TELEVISION: CBS
San Francisco is well-positioned for another Super Bowl bid thanks to a deep roster and Kyle Shanahan’s steady strategy. Here, days before Christmas, Shanahan will meet his former student, Mike McDaniel, and what appears to be another high-octane Dolphins offense packed with elite speed.
Date: Sunday, October 27th | Time: 4:25 pm ET | TELEVISION: CBS
Hijinks tend to happen when these two teams meet; they have drawn twice (!) in their last four matches. Additionally, we have yet to see Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts face off since their arrival as part of the 2020 quarterback class. It’s very possible this ends up being a Super Bowl preview.
Date: Thursday, October 31 | Time: 8:15 pm ET | TELEVISION: Main video
Few teams are drawing more excitement for 2024 than the Texans and Jets. One club has perhaps the best up-and-coming gunslinger, CJ Stroud. The other has perhaps the most mysterious player of all time, Aaron Rodgers, who is trying to make up for lost time after an injury-plagued debut in New York. Bringing these two together on Halloween night seems like a recipe for a primetime drama.
5. Lions to 49ers
Date: Monday, December 30th | Time: 8:15 pm ET | TELEVISION: ESPN, ABC
The rematches may be boring to some, but nearly a year after facing each other in the NFC title game, both teams are expected to remain near the top of the conference. Detroit locked up many of its key playmakers this offseason, so the pressure is on ultra-aggressive prospect Dan Campbell to make the next big leap.
Date: Sunday, October 20th | Time: 4:25 pm ET | TELEVISION: Fox
Super Bowl LVIII had these two head to head matchups until the final buzzer, giving us just the second Super Bowl overtime in NFL history. We should all be anticipating the encore. Kansas City remains an unavoidable force in the AFC, and with more added speed, Patrick Mahomes’ offense could even take a step forward. Meanwhile, Brock Purdy may just be getting started as the figurehead of San Francisco’s offense.
Date: Monday, November 18 | Time: 8:15 pm ET | TELEVISION: ESPN
Dallas is always a huge draw due to the perennially high expectations set by owner Jerry Jones, and now the pressure could be even more intense with Dak Prescott’s future up in the air. It seems like a game of true claim: Can CJ Stroud and Co. claim Texas as theirs, right in Jerry’s territory?
2. Bosses in Accounts
Date: Sunday, November 17th | Time: 4:25 pm ET | TELEVISION: CBS
This clash gains prominence every year, and yet when has it failed? Whether in the regular season or the playoffs, the two bring out the best in each other. Patrick Mahomes. Josh Allen. It doesn’t get any better in terms of big plays. Everyone will be watching, as they should.
1. Jets at 49ers
Date: Monday, September 9th | Time: 8:20pm ET | TELEVISION: ESPN, ABC
What a perfect way to end the opening week of NFL action. There are other unmissable Week 1 clashes, for sure: the Green Bay Packers will take to the South American stage with all kinds of energy against the Eagles. The Lions will have a chance to beat old friend Matthew Stafford once again. But the Jets-49ers have Hollywood style, giving Aaron Rodgers a chance to make his long-awaited return under the lights on Monday night against his boyhood team, which may have the best roster in football.
