Every season, when the NFL schedule is released, avid football fans look to see if their favorite teams will be playing in primetime. While some matchups will undoubtedly be met with excitement, others leave us scratching our heads. But planning an entire football season cannot be an easy endeavor so a few missteps are to be expected. Looking at this year’s slate of primetime games there are several that jump out, for better and worse, and that require us to take a closer look. Let’s look at some of the best and worst primetime clashes in 2024.
Best
Ravens at Chiefs, Thursday Night Football, Week 1
Right out of the gate, the NFL is giving us one of the best matchups of the season, pitting last season’s league MVP against last season’s Super Bowl MVP. But while a Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes showdown would be enough to get any football fan excited, this meeting will also mark the Ravens debut of Derrick Henry and our introduction to Xavier Worthy’s role in the high-powered Chiefs aerial attack. Mahomes is 4-1 in matchups against Jackson but four of those have been decided by no more than a single touchdown. This should be another good one.
Jets at 49ers, Monday Night Football, Week 1
After QB Aaron Rodgers left the game early in Week 1 last year with a torn Achilles, people are eager to see the future Hall of Fame QB in action. The 49ers famously passed on Rodgers in the 2005 NFL Draft, and for a player who tends to play with a chip on his shoulder, this could add further fuel to the fire. Typically, the reigning NFC Champions would be the highlight, but with so much anticipation surrounding Rodgers, the 49ers may be an afterthought. This could end up being the most-watched Monday Night Football game of the year.
Packers at Lions, Thursday Night Football, Week 14
With both the Lions and Packers on the rise, we could see the beginning of a revived NFC North rivalry. Plus, by Week 14 this matchup could be filled with divisional and playoff implications making it one of the best games on the docket. Last season, the two teams split their matchups with both winning on the road. Detroit punished Green Bay 34-20 in Lambeau Field and the Packers got their revenge in a 29-22 victory in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. Both teams have improved rosters after this offseason and the NFL Draft, almost ensuring an exciting shootout at Ford Field.
Rams at Lions, Sunday Night Football, Week 1
Week 1 is shaping up to be an incredible football week. Last year’s playoff matchup against these two teams was close with Detroit barely edging out the Rams 24-23. With healthy rosters and some key upgrades for both teams, there could be a different outcome. Goff will be out to show he’s worth his newly signed $212 million contract extension, and the Lions as a team will be out to prove last year’s success wasn’t a fluke. With both teams being loaded with talent there should be plenty of dynamic playmaking to keep this game exciting from beginning to end.
Chicago Bears at Houston Texans, Sunday Night Football, Week 2
Sunday Night Football will keep things rolling in Week 2 by pitting last season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year (C.J. Stroud) against the 2024 favorite for OROY (Caleb Williams.) The Bears No. 1 overall pick will have all eyes on him in his regular-season prime-time debut, hoping to replicate Stroud’s success and lead his team to the postseason. But the QB matchup will not be the only draw. Both teams were busy this offseason and boast the talent that comes with high expectations. With both teams having dynamic playmakers, this could be an explosive matchup worth watching.
Worst
Browns at Broncos, Monday Night Football, Week 13
Revenge games are always fun, but when it’s WR Jerry Jeudy returning to Denver to take on his former team it’s hard to get too excited. In truth, it’s hard to get excited about much in this matchup. Neither team is exciting on offense with the Browns being led by the underwhelming Deshaun Watson and the Broncos relying on journeyman Jarrett Stidham, 2021 draft class bust Zach Wilson, or rookie Bo Nix. Add to that the fact that the Browns have a great defense and can run the ball effectively and the result could be a boring matchup with not much scoring. Skip it.
Broncos at Saints, Thursday Night Football, Week 7
You may be sensing a theme: the Broncos. There is one reason to watch this game and one reason only: Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans. Otherwise, there’s not much here to promote. To make matters worse the game is on Thursday night, where quality football goes to die. Neither the Broncos nor the Saints are expected to be very competitive in their divisions, let alone the league. The one saving grace is that it should be a close game but if that’s because it ends 10-7 then it’s hard to recommend.
Bengals at Giants, Sunday Night Football, Week 6
The Sunday night matchup is regarded by many as the cream of the crop of the primetime slots, making this choice a bit of a head-scratcher. The Giants will be at home which does give them a slim chance to pull off an improbable upset. But the Bengals are loaded with offensive firepower so don’t bet on it. If this was a well-known rivalry I could see the wisdom in putting them in a marquee matchup, but there is no such rivalry. Ratings should be helped by the New York market being massive, but if, as is expected, it turns into a blowout people will change the channel.
Ravens at Chargers, Monday Night Football, Week 12
When brothers Jim and John Harbaugh face off in primetime in Week 12, it will be their first NFL matchup as head coaches in over a decade, it will be a fun storyline. Still, it won’t be enough to keep people interested if the game turns into a blowout, which is a strong possibility. QB Justin Herbert vs. QB Lamar Jackson would be a matchup to mark on your calendar if the team surrounding the two signal callers was equal, but it’s not. The Ravens are by far the superior team in nearly every facet. This could get ugly quickly.
Patriots at Jets, Thursday Night Football, Week 3
I get it. Aaron Rodgers could very well be a draw. But the New York Jets have six primetime appearances this season and we still don’t know if they’re very good. Among those matchups though, this is easily the least interesting. Rodgers and the Jets will welcome a Patriots team that we know isn’t good with a roster lacking playmakers across the board. The game will also be played at MetLife Stadium creating a higher probability of a lopsided event. If you’re a huge Jets or Patriots fan I understand why you’d tune it, but for everyone else, I’d make other plans.
