2024 NFL Season Prime-Time Game Schedule - NFL Season Outlook

Bruce Clark walks you through every scheduled prime time and specialty game for the 2024 NFL season. Which will take advantage of the national spotlight?

The anticipation for the 2024 NFL season was amplified on May 15 when the NFL released each team's 2024 schedule. Even though we all knew the opponents each team would play against, there is something special about seeing the final product -- the order of division and out-of-division games, seeing the marquee matchups throughout the year, and eyeballing all the prime-time games that will keep attention all season long is an exciting experience.

The NFL's prime-time slate this season is filled with division rivalries, potential conference championship matchups, and even Super Bowl previews. Additionally, among the prime time or specialty games scheduled this season, four games involve playoff rematches from this past season. Both conference championship games from 2023 bookend the scheduled prime-time slate this season.

Below is a preview of each notable prime-time or specialty slate game for the 2024 NFL season. Not all standalone games are included in this article. Notably, the NFL's broad international series in Europe is not listed below, namely because they happen so early on Sundays that it is difficult to consider them to be "prime time." Additionally, it is likely the list below is going to change as the NFL will be implementing the "flexing" of the schedules -- two games can be moved to "Sunday Night Football" in Weeks 5-10, and games can be moved at the NFL's discretion between Weeks 11-17 for "Sunday Night Football," Weeks 12-17 for "Monday Night Football," and even Weeks 13-17 for "Thursday Night Football" on a trial period in 2024.

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Week 1 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, September 5 -- Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs
• Friday, September 6 -- Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
• Sunday, September 8 -- Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
• Monday, September 9 -- New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers

The 2024 NFL season kicks off with a rematch of the 2023 AFC Championship Game as Kansas City is playing the first game of the season for the fourth time in eight seasons against Baltimore. The Eagles "host" the Packers in Brazil on Friday night. Matthew Stafford goes back to Detroit with the Rams to play against the Lions in a rematch from Wild Card Weekend last season. Week 1 ends with Aaron Rodgers playing his first game in a year as his Jets travel across the country to play against the reigning NFC champions, the San Francisco 49ers.

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens will kick off the NFL season in Kansas City against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs for an AFCCG rematch on Thursday night in primetime. pic.twitter.com/6qyqO4dAsU

— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) May 13, 2024

Week 2 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, September 12 -- Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
• Sunday, September 15 -- Chicago Bears at Houston Texans
• Monday, September 16 -- Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 2 begins with a matchup of AFC East rivals between two 11-win teams in Buffalo and Miami. Chicago gets a prime-time slot showcasing Caleb Williams, the current heavy favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, as they go on the road against the Texans and reigning OROY C.J. Stroud. Finally, two of the biggest offensive free-agency signings face off as Kirk Cousins' Falcons go on the road against Saquon Barkley's Eagles in Philadelphia's proper home opener.

Week 3 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, September 19 -- New England Patriots at New York Jets
• Sunday, September 22 -- Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons
• Monday, September 23 -- Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills AND Washington Commanders at Cincinnati Bengals

In the second consecutive Thursday pitting divisional opponents between the AFC East, rookie QB Drake Maye makes his prime-time debut on the road against a great Jets defense. The reigning two-time Super Bowl champions hit the road against a new-look Falcons offense on Sunday night. The week ends with the first of four "Monday Night Football" doubleheaders featuring four young and promising quarterbacks: Trevor Lawrence and his Jaguars go to Buffalo to play against Josh Allen's Bills as exciting rookie prospect Jayden Daniels travels to compete against Joe Burrow and the Bengals.

Jayden Daniels vs Joe burrow Monday Night Football Week 3 in Cincinnati 👀👀👀 LSU Heisman Battle #Raisehail #Rulethejungle pic.twitter.com/abODhW5xB0

— PAIN (@Xommanders) May 16, 2024

Week 4 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, September 26 -- Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
• Sunday, September 29 -- Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
• Monday, September 30 -- Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins AND Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions

2024's NFL schedule includes both Cowboys-Giants games being nationally televised (and both on a Thursday), with the first happening to begin Week 4. "Sunday Night Football" will feature two of the top five preseason betting favorites for league MVP with Josh Allen and Buffalo versus Lamar Jackson and Baltimore. We will have two Monday night games for the second consecutive week, pitting the AFC's Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins in one game and the NFC's Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions in the other.

Week 5 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, October 3 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
• Sunday, October 6 -- Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers
• Monday, October 7 -- New Orleans Saints at Kansas City Chiefs

The first game of Week 5 is a battle between reigning NFC South champion Tampa Bay on the road against the current betting favorites to win the division, the Atlanta Falcons. "Sunday Night Football" showcases the Cowboys and Steelers, two historically great franchises, in a rematch of Super Bowls X, XIII, and XXX. "Monday Night Football" ends the week with the Saints, led by Derek Carr, traveling to Arrowhead to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Fun Fact: With the Steelers and Cowboys Set to Play Each Other Week 5 on Sunday Night Football

This Will Be The First Pittsburgh-Dallas Primetime Game since 1982 (Week 1/MNF) and First Alone Game since (Thanksgiving/1991) pic.twitter.com/C55JrSDgTq

— john (@golden22gswu) May 16, 2024

Week 6 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, October 10 -- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
• Sunday, October 13 -- Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants
• Monday, October 14 -- Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

For the fourth straight week, "Thursday Night Football's" matchup is between divisional rivals -- this time, NFC West rivals San Francisco and Seattle -- in a critical division matchup. The Giants continue their 100th season as they host Burrow's Bengals. Week 6 closes out with an AFC East showdown between two possibly potent offenses, with Buffalo on the road against the Jets.

Week 7 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, October 17 -- Denver Broncos at New Orleans Saints
• Sunday, October 20 -- New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers
• Monday, October 21 -- Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers AND Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals

Week 7 gives us the first time Sean Payton coaches against his old team as his Broncos travel to New Orleans, the team with which he helped win a Super Bowl. Sunday brings fans Rodgers and the Jets for the second consecutive prime-time game as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Monday will involve a double-dipping of football as reigning division champions Baltimore and Tampa Bay face off while two exciting quarterbacks face off with Justin Herbert's Chargers playing against Kyler Murray's Cardinals.

Schedule Release Day: Looks like the #Broncos will play the #Saints on Thursday Night Football October 7. The return of Sean Payton to the Big Easy. @DenverChannel pic.twitter.com/4h5OufhUHh

— Lionel Bienvenu (@lionelbienvenu) May 15, 2024

Week 8 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, October 24 -- Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
• Sunday, October 27 -- Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers
• Monday, October 28 -- New York Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers

For the first time, Kevin O'Connell will coach against his mentor, Sean McVay, as the Vikings open up Week 8's slate of games on the road against the Rams. The two top NFC seeds from 2023 compete as Dak Prescott's Dallas Cowboys play Brock Purdy's San Francisco 49ers. Week 8 will conclude with the Steelers playing a prime-time game against a New York team at home for the second consecutive week as they host the Giants.

Week 9 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, October 31 -- Houston Texans at New York Jets
• Sunday, November 3 -- Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles
• Monday, November 4 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs

Thursday night this week places a 23-year-old Stroud and his Texans team against 40-year-old Rodgers and his Jets in prime time. Doug Pederson and his Jaguars go against the Eagles, his former team that he won a Super Bowl with, for his second time on "Sunday Night Football." We get a rematch of Super Bowl LV between Tampa Bay and Kansas City to round out the week on "Monday Night Football."

TEXANS SCHEDULE LEAK:

Texans @ Jets Week 9 TNF

The Texans will get their chance at revenge on Halloween Night 🍿 pic.twitter.com/zELU6gEFtM

— Jacob (@Stroud4AllPro) May 15, 2024

Week 10 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, November 7 -- Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
• Sunday, November 10 -- Detroit Lions at Houston Texans
• Monday, November 11 -- Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Rams

The last two AFC North champions clash on "Thursday Night Football" as the Ravens host the Bengals in the first Thursday night game of November. "Sunday Night Football" is a collision between two franchises that turned their histories around last season, as Detroit goes on the road against Houston. Week 10 concludes with a matchup between two offensive geniuses as Mike McDaniel's Dolphins team competes against McVay's Rams squad.

Week 11 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, November 14 -- Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles
• Sunday, November 17 -- Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets
• Monday, November 18 -- Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys

The NFC East is on display in prime time as three-quarters of the division is scheduled to play night games this week. Two dual-threat quarterbacks will be displayed as Daniels and the Commanders face off against Hurts and the Eagles. Anthony Richardson's sophomore season continues as he and his Colts travel to New York to compete against the Jets. Finally, in a Texas battle, the Cowboys will host the Texans.

Settle it 👇

🅰️ Cowboys
🅱️ Texans pic.twitter.com/bQfN2ErzfT

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) May 20, 2024

Week 12 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, November 21 -- Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
• Sunday, November 24 -- Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams
• Monday, November 25 -- Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers

Yet another divisional matchup begins Week 12 in what is sure to be a hard-hitting affair as the Steelers and the Browns play Thursday night. "Sunday Night Football" is a display of offensive weaponry, as Hurts, Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and the rest of the Eagles travel to Hollywood to clash with Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and the rest of the Rams. In the final game before Thanksgiving, the Harbaugh brothers coach against each other for the first time since Super Bowl XLVII as John's Ravens travel to Los Angeles to play against Jim's Chargers.

Week 13 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thanksgiving, November 28 -- Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions AND New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys AND Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers
• Black Friday Game, November 29 -- Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
• Sunday, December 1 -- San Francisco 49ers at Buffalo Bills
• Monday, December 2 -- Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos

Thanksgiving is a day of football feasting, as the NFL gave fans two divisional rounds and a possible Super Bowl preview: Williams and the Bears travel to Detroit to play the Lions, the Giants and Cowboys play their second nationally televised game of the year against each other, and the Dolphins take their show on the road in the cold to face the Packers.

There will be a Black Friday game for the second consecutive season as the Chiefs try to avenge their Christmas Day loss against the Raiders last season as they host Las Vegas. "Sunday Night Football" will unite two elite offenses as the 49ers play the Bills. The vaunted Browns defense will be a handful for Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix as Cleveland plays Denver to round out Week 13.

Cowboys 🤝 Thanksgiving Day

Traditions don’t get much better 🏈 pic.twitter.com/xDCaCdN2II

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) May 16, 2024

Week 14 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, December 5 -- Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
• Sunday, December 8 -- Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
• Monday, December 9 -- Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys

In a game that could decide the NFC North, Jordan Love and the Packers will travel to play Jared Goff and the Lions in Week 14. Three days later, the new-look Chargers will battle the Chiefs on a frigid December night in an AFC West showdown. "Monday Night Football" finishes Week 14, as the great Bengals offense must play against one of the most disruptive defenses in the Dallas Cowboys as new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer game plans against his old team.

Week 15 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, December 12 -- Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
• Sunday, December 15 -- Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks
• Monday, December 16 -- Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings AND Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders

Mid-December approaches and playoff seeding is solidifying when McVay's Rams hit the road to play Kyle Shanahan's 49ers in an NFC West clash on Thursday night. Two NFC teams with the same winning record last season will be jockeying for position in possible playoff contention as the Packers go to Seattle to play the Seahawks.

Week 15 will conclude with a double dip of "Monday Night Football," beginning with a potential matchup of rookie quarterbacks as Williams and the Bears face J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings and ending with two teams with solid playoff potential as Atlanta plays the Raiders.

The #Bears are reportedly playing at home, week 15 against the #Vikings on Monday Night Football 👀

(Per @OzzyNFL) pic.twitter.com/coCermmFd5

— ChBearsUpdates (@chbearsupdates) May 15, 2024

Week 16 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Thursday, December 19 -- Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
• Sunday, December 22 -- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys
• Monday, December 23 -- New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

Week 16 is introduced by the two Ohio rivals in Cincinnati as the Browns play the Bengals in what should be a critical late-season divisional game. Sunday night will showcase two reigning NFC division winners as the Buccaneers travel to Dallas to compete against the Cowboys. The week ends with a cold December Lambeau Field game as the Saints travel all the way from Louisiana to play the Packers.

Week 17 NFL Prime-Time Schedule

• Christmas Day Games, December 25 -- Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers AND Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans
• Thursday, December 26 -- Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears
• Sunday, December 29 -- Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns
• Monday, December 30 -- Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

Netflix gets its first NFL games as it will showcase four of the seven AFC playoff teams last season -- the Chiefs will travel to the elements of outdoor Pittsburgh weather to play the Steelers. Afterward, the reigning 1-seed Ravens will have better playing conditions in a dome against the Texans on Christmas Day.

"Thursday Night Football" has an NFC collision as the Seahawks travel to Soldier Field to play the Bears. Sunday sees a top-notch offense with Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins challenging a top-notch defense headlined by Myles Garrett with the Browns. The final scheduled prime-time game is an NFC Championship rematch, as Detroit tries to avenge its postseason defeat by traveling to play the 49ers.

Another year of Christmas cheer 🎄 pic.twitter.com/xwj9Zaev1j

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 15, 2024

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