The countdown has commenced, and the pigskin frenzy is mere moments away. While the 2024 NFL season’s arrival was an inevitability, the league’s unveiling of the complete regular season schedule on Wednesday night has amplified the anticipation for the impending action. Nestled within this slate lies the much-awaited “Thursday Night Football” lineup.
Embarking on its third season as the NFL’s exclusive partner for the Thursday night window, Amazon Prime Video has curated a tantalizing collection of games, commencing on September 12 (Week 2) with an AFC East rivalry clash between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Prime Video will also be the epicenter for another Black Friday showdown, where the Las Vegas Raiders will venture into the hallowed grounds of Arrowhead Stadium to battle the Kansas City Chiefs.
Brace yourselves for a rundown of each “Thursday Night Football” matchup that awaits, meticulously ranked to whet your appetite for the gridiron spectacle that lies ahead.
| WEEK (DATE) | MATCHUP | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Week 2 (Sept. 12) | Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida) |
| Week 3 (Sept. 19) | New England Patriots vs. New York Jets | MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey) |
| Week 4 (Sept. 26) | Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Jets | MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey) |
| Week 5 (Oct. 3) | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| Week 6 (Oct. 10) | San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks | Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington) |
| Week 7 (Oct. 17) | Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints | Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana) |
| Week 8 (Oct. 24) | Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams | SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California) |
| Week 9 (Oct. 31) | Houston Texans vs. New York Jets | MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey) |
| Week 10 (Nov. 7) | Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens | M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Week 11 (Nov. 14) | Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles | Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Week 12 (Nov. 21) | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Browns Stadium (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| Week 13 (Nov. 29) | Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri) |
| Week 14 (Dec. 5) | Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions | Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan) |
| Week 15 (Dec. 12) | Los Angels Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers | Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California) |
| Week 16 (Dec. 19) | Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals | Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio) |
| Week 17 (Dec. 26) | Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears | Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois) |
- Patriots at Jets (Week 3) The curtain rises on Aaron Rodgers’ Jets debut in the Thursday night spotlight. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ future hangs in the balance, with No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye poised to seize the reins if he emerges victorious in the starting job battle. While the post-Bill Belichick era shrouds New England in intrigue, this matchup may lack the competitive edge to captivate the masses.
- Broncos at Saints (Week 7) Sean Payton’s homecoming to New Orleans promises to be a spectacle as the former Saints maestro returns to the Crescent City for the first time since his trade to the Broncos. A hero’s welcome awaits, but the on-field action may disappoint, as neither Denver nor New Orleans boasts a roster primed for contention in 2024, tempering expectations for a heavyweight clash.
- Seahawks at Bears (Week 17) With the season winding down, this matchup’s relevance hinges on the teams’ postseason aspirations. Nevertheless, witnessing Caleb Williams’ rookie swan song and the inaugural campaign of Mike Macdonald’s Seattle regime will pique curiosity.
- Cowboys at Giants (Week 4) An NFC East showdown ignites the powder keg of drama. Both teams will be rounding the first-month bend, and their trajectories could shape the narrative. If the Cowboys stumble early, Mike McCarthy’s tenure could teeter precariously. Conversely, Daniel Jones, fresh off an ACL tear, aims to forge a rhythm with first-round receiver Malik Nabers.
- Steelers at Browns (Week 12) Brace for an old-fashioned AFC North slugfest as these storied rivals collide. Stellar defenses headline the marquee, but the outcome could reverberate through the AFC playoff picture. While the defenses command attention, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields will vie for offensive supremacy.
- Commanders at Eagles (Week 11) This matchup harbors an intriguing undercurrent. By this juncture, Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick, should be entrenched as Washington’s starting quarterback, flaunting his electrifying potential. If Daniels delivers on his promise, Philadelphia’s defense could face a stern test. Conversely, the Eagles boast their own dual-threat dynamo in Jalen Hurts, setting the stage for a duel of dynamic signal-callers.
- Raiders at Chiefs (Week 13, Black Friday) The Black Friday clash pits AFC West rivals Las Vegas and Kansas City in a heated grudge match. While the Chiefs have amassed Lombardi Trophies, the Raiders have proven formidable foes, with the chess match between Patrick Mahomes and Maxx Crosby compelling enough to forsake Cyber Monday.
- Browns at Bengals (Week 16) The AFC North crown could hang in the balance as these divisional adversaries collide. Joe Burrow and the Bengals possess a Super Bowl-caliber ceiling, ensuring primetime appointment viewing. As for the Browns, their fate rests squarely on Deshaun Watson’s shoulders. If he can recapture his Texans magic, an epic showdown awaits. If not, Cleveland’s formidable defense must rise to the occasion, a task they are undoubtedly capable of.
- Vikings at Rams (Week 8) Kevin O’Connell’s pupil-turned-mentor clash with Sean McVay ignites intrigue. O’Connell, once McVay’s protégé, now leads the Vikings, setting the stage for a student-versus-master showdown. The game itself hinges on Minnesota’s quarterback play, with J.J. McCarthy potentially at the helm by Week 8, squaring off against Matthew Stafford, armed with a lethal receiving duo in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua.
- 49ers at Seahawks (Week 6) The Seahawks were swept by the 49ers last season, unable to eclipse 20 points in either defeat. While the lopsided results dampen excitement, Mike Macdonald’s arrival could shift the dynamic. As Baltimore’s defensive coordinator in 2023, Macdonald’s scheme stifled San Francisco, forcing Brock Purdy into four interceptions. With new personnel, can Macdonald’s strategy continue to vex the Niners?
- Buccaneers at Falcons (Week 3) An early-season NFC South showdown looms as a potential statement game. Atlanta’s offseason acquisitions, headlined by Kirk Cousins, have thrust them into the divisional spotlight as favorites. However, the defending champion Buccaneers, bolstered by the return of Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans, could remind them of the pecking order.
- Bills vs. Dolphins (Week 2) The “Thursday Night Football” curtain rises with an AFC East showdown. Buffalo has dominated the recent rivalry, winning the last four meetings, including a Week 18 victory that denied Miami the division crown last year. The Dolphins burst out of the gates with a 6-2 start in 2023, making their early-season form a tantalizing storyline. For the Bills, how the offense adapts without top pass-catchers Stefon Diggs (traded to Texans) and Gabe Davis (signed with Jaguars) will be a compelling narrative.
- Texans at Jets (Week 9) A rare non-divisional clash on the Thursday slate pits two of the league’s rising forces. The Texans, led by the dynamic C.J. Stroud, have emerged as a burgeoning powerhouse, while the Jets finally unveil Aaron Rodgers under center. The quarterback duel promises fireworks, and if both teams reach their ceiling, this game could factor into playoff seeding.
- Packers at Lions (Week 14) Last season, the Lions exceeded expectations by reaching the NFC Championship Game, while the Packers’ deep playoff run in Jordan Love’s debut campaign caught many off-guard. This year, neither team will sneak up on opponents, especially not each other. With divisional implications looming and historic franchises vying for playoff contention, this matchup could shape the NFC landscape.
- Rams at 49ers (Week 15) Whenever Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan lock horns, it’s a must-see spectacle. The talent on display is staggering, from the 49ers’ Super Bowl-caliber roster featuring George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk, to the Rams’ dynamic duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Matthew Stafford and Brock Purdy add an intriguing quarterback dynamic to this NFC West clash.
- Bengals at Ravens (Week 10) Joe Burrow versus Lamar Jackson: a quarterback duel of the highest order. Burrow’s status as an elite signal-caller is undeniable, while Jackson is fresh off his second MVP campaign. Elite talent abounds on both rosters, primed to contend at the highest level. With divisional ramifications and potential tiebreaker implications, this rematch could shape the playoff landscape in a seismic way.
