The National Football League is wildly popular. That popularity is evident not only during the season, but also throughout professional football’s offseason, when events like the start of free agency, the NFL Draft and even the annual release of team schedules garner significant interest. As the NFL season draws closer, here are five notable games on the 2024 schedule.
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, Sept. 5: All eyes will be on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium come the first Thursday in September, when the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs begin their quest to win a third straight championship. Reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, who fell to the Chiefs 17-10 in the AFC Championship Game a season ago, will be looking for revenge in this season-opening clash.
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Sept. 9: The season ended in euphoria for the Chiefs a year ago, and it began in agony for the Jets, who lost their newly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a ruptured Achilles tendon just four snaps into his first game for Gang Green. Week 1 comes to a close on Monday Night Football with this battle that Jets fans hope will mark the return of Rodgers and Niners fans see as an opportunity to put the memories of a Super Bowl defeat behind them.
Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders, Sunday, Oct. 27: The top two picks in this year’s NFL Draft, quarterback Caleb Williams of the Bears and his signal-calling counterpart Jayden Daniels of the Commanders, square off in this late-October matchup. Adding to the intrigue of this battle at Commanders Field in Landover, Maryland, is it marks a clash between the two most recent Heisman Trophy winners. Williams took home his statue as college football’s best player two seasons ago, while Daniels earned his during his final season at Louisiana State University in 2023.
Detroit Lions at Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 10: Perhaps no teams did more in 2023 to renew confidence among their fans than the Lions and the Texans. Led by their beloved head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions had their most successful campaign in decades, finishing 12-5 to win the NFC North before advancing all the way to the conference title game, where they lost a 34-31 heartbreaker to the Niners. The Texans also won their division a year ago, thanks in no small part to rookie sensation C.J. Stroud, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions before leading his team to a blowout win over the Cleveland Browns in the opening round of the playoffs.
Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Nov. 28: Once the turkey’s been devoured and the pumpkin pie has become a distant memory, fans can find the nearest couch and settle in for this Thanksgiving night thriller. The Dolphins feature a high-powered offense centered around speedster Tyreek Hill. Across the field is Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who established himself as a legitimate star during his first full season under center, throwing for 32 touchdowns in the regular season before playing a near perfect playoff game in his postseason debut, a 48-32 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
The NFL will return before fans know it, and these are just five of the many memorable matchups in the coming season.
