NFL's top 25 games of 2024
Wed May 15 2:01pm ET
Field Level Media
Christmas Day for NFL marketing and ticket sales departments finally arrived Wednesday with the release of the 2024 season schedule.
With subplots and peripheral angles multiplying before our eyes - hello, Netflix, welcome to NFL holiday football broadcasts - Field Level Media's football-minded contributors assembled the top 25 games of 2024.
24. Cardinals at Jets, TBD: We're grabbing our popcorn for one matchup, and one matchup alone: Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Top five draft picks likely to be near the top of the pecking order at their position for a decade.
23. Colts at Patriots, TBD: Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, meet Anthony Richardson, drafted fourth overall in 2023. Indianapolis appeared to have a hit on its hands before Richardson was shut down to undergo shoulder surgery. If he can stay healthy and Maye isn't relegated to clipboard duty behind former Colts starter Jacoby Brissett, we're eager to make early evaluations of purported franchise QBs.
22. Jaguars at Eagles, TBD: Young QBs and strong pass rush are common bonds, sure, but the plotline we're looking at is the reception for Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson. He played for the Eagles (1999) but was essentially a coach-in-training for Donovan McNabb, then served as an assistant for Andy Reid and came back from a stint in KC for a five-year run that included a Super Bowl.
21. Bears at Texans, TBD: The Bears also get a meeting with the Carolina Panthers for the second consecutive season. With all due respect to Panthers 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young, the top rookie quarterback last season was Houston's C.J. Stroud. His numbers would have been the best ever single-season passing total for a Bears QB (4,108 to Erik Kramer's team record of 3,803). Stroud had 26 TD passes including the playoffs despite missing time with a concussion). The Bears hitched their wagon to No. 1 pick Caleb Williams with the rookie carrying massive talent - and expectations - in Year 1.
20. Vikings at Giants, TBD: All of the QB uncertainty one can handle on the undercard, LSU products Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and Malik Nabers (Giants) in the main event.
19. 49ers at Seahawks, TBD: Maybe you overlooked it. There's not a chance Brock Purdy did. He knows new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald's defense - that of the Ravens - had him seeing ghosts in a five-interception laugher on Christmas Night last season. Macdonald's new club has a bunch of cross-training chess pieces determined to unseat the 49ers from the NFC West perch.
18. Jets at 49ers, Sept. 9: Week 1 on "Monday Night Football" is a familiar refrain for the Jets, who are hoping Aaron Rodgers has some magic left following a season-ending injury four snaps into his first start with the team in 2023. Rodgers is local - Chico, Calif., Butte JC and Cal - and went 6-3 against the 49ers with the Packers. Now 40 years old, he'll try to tip the scales toward the Jets, who are 3-11 all-time in the series with San Francisco. Jets head coach Robert Saleh has known 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan since breaking into the NFL as a low-level assistant with the Texans 15 years ago and was defensive coordinator on his staff before taking over with the Jets.
17. Cowboys at Commanders, TBD: Dan Quinn gets his second chance as a head coach in Washington and to be the champ in the NFC East, he'll have to take down his previous employer and boss, the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy. Given the amount of time Quinn spent with McCarthy and Dak Prescott, don't discount the level of concern the Cowboys have entering two games with Washington.
16. Eagles vs. Packers (Brazil), Sept. 6: The youngest roster in the NFL last season belonged to the Packers, and nobody can fault what Green Bay did in the offseason. Head coach Matt LaFleur debuts his offense with Josh Jacobs at running back and a new-look defense. It'll also be a big reveal game for the Eagles, unleashing their own big-ticket offseason item, Saquon Barkley, and a number of new faces on defense.
15. Falcons at Vikings, TBD: Welcome back, Kirk Cousins, congratulations on finding a team that didn't want to invest in a young quarterback to insure its $100M guarantee to a 35-year-old starter coming off an Achilles injury. Oops. Cousins could be hailed or hated for bailing on the Vikings in free agency following 50 regular-season wins in six seasons of Skol-ing.
14. Ravens at Chargers, TBD: Los Angeles and new hire Jim Harbaugh welcome John Harbaugh and the Ravens with entertainment expected to be rich before, during and after a matchup of AFC heavyweights. John Harbaugh won the last meeting and survived a brief power outage at the Super Bowl in New Orleans to take home the Lombardi and deal Jim's 49ers a painful defeat.
13. Steelers at Broncos, Week 2: Revenge games bring out the spirit and emotion you might not otherwise find in games that don't include Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh picked up Russell Wilson after he was scrapped at a cost north of $80 million to Denver by second-year head coach Sean Payton. Payton, of course, is still in town and brought in a rookie, Oregon's Bo Nix, to train in the system that helped make Drew Brees a legend. Don't look now, but Pittsburgh had a sneaky excellent offseason while the Broncos shed leaders and linchpins on both sides of the ball (Wilson, Justin Simmons, Jerry Jeudy). If reunions are your thing, Payton also heads back to New Orleans this season.
12. Jets at Bills, Week 17: We know they'll get an earlier go at each other on "Monday Night Football" In October, but let's give the season time to breath and Aaron Rodgers time to round back into form. He'll be recently removed from his 41st birthday but should know the names of all of his wide receivers, a task Josh Allen might need more time to complete.
11. Ravens at Cowboys, TBD: Dak Prescott was great at home last season and Dallas fortified the offensive line through the draft. Whether new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has an answer for mobile quarterbacks - namely Lamar Jackson - might be the hot-button issue for the Cowboys. Baltimore's No. 1-ranked defense in 2023 also traveled well last season, battering Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert and limiting those three teams to a combined 36 points in Ravens' road wins.
10. 49ers at Packers, Nov. 24: Week 12 and the start of a pivotal, NFC-dominated, primetime featured stretch for Green Bay with nighttime marquee matchups at Detroit (Week 14) and Seattle (Week 15) ahead. Jordan Love's two interceptions stopped the Packers short of an upset at San Francisco in the divisional playoffs in January.
9. Texans at Cowboys, TBD: C.J. Stroud appears to be special and the Texans made sure his supporting cast wouldn't be a reason for a sophomore slump. But one warning: only the Bills and Patriots have a more difficult schedule based on 2023 results and offseason moves. Among the appealing underlying matchups: Houston wide receiver Stefon Diggs vs. Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs.
8. Bears at Packers, Jan. 5: The Week 18 finale was meaningful for Green Bay last season, and Jordan Love guided the Packers into the postseason to sweep the Bears and continue the trend Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers started. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams makes his first foray into the likely frozen tundra. Will the Bears be playing for more than a spoiler token?
7. Dolphins at 49ers, TBD: It was Dec. 4, 2022, and far more meaningful than we knew at the time when a seventh-round rookie - 49ers QB Brock Purdy - made his first career start with two TD passes in a 33-17 home win over the Miami Dolphins. Back to the scene come the Dolphins with former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel a solid bet to share some unknown intel about old boss Kyle Shanahan in the game week buildup.
6. Ravens at Chiefs, Sept. 5: Had this one been bumped back a couple months to multiply the meaningfulness in the standings and AFC playoff picture, it had an angle on a top three game of the 2024 regular season. Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes remains must-see for all the right reasons.
5. 49ers at Bills, Dec. 4: The week-after-Thanksgiving primetime game on Sunday of Week 13 should be meaningful for teams with Super Bowl aspirations.
4. Rams at Lions, TBD: Two franchises on schedule to combine for more than $350 million in deposits into Jared Goff's bank account are back at it with Detroit out to duplicate their playoff win in January over one-time Lions QB Matthew Stafford.
3. Ravens at Eagles, TBD: Star power on display? Check-check. Potential Super Bowl preview? Sure thing. Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and Derrick Henry (Ravens) add firepower to a pair of offenses with explosive potential.
2. Lions at 49ers, TBD: Other than tackle eligible, think of another phrase that could spike Dan Campbell's temperature more than "at San Francisco." Didn't think so. The Lions were halfway to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl leading the 49ers handily in the NFC Championship but coughed up a 17-point lead and bowed out of the playoffs in a 34-31 defeat instead. If Campbell circled this game on the schedule in ink, we're guessing you can't read it.
1. (tie) Chiefs at 49ers, TBD: Familiar enough to be rivals, the Chiefs left with the jewels in recent games that really mattered between teams with a combined 50-18 record the past two regular seasons. San Francisco took a lashing from the Chiefs, 44-23, at home in Oct. 23 before the dawning of the Brock Purdy era.
1. (tie) Bengals at Chiefs, TBD: Don't forget Joe Burrow, he's more than the highest-paid player in 2024. The Bengals quarterback is 3-1 against the Chiefs but was sidelined with a broken wrist when the teams played in 2023. Don't look for a warm reception in Kansas City, where fans aren't soon to forget Burrow's boys calling the Chiefs' stadium "Burrow-head" based on his success at the home of Patrick Mahomes.
- Steelers sign coach Mike Tomlin to 3-year extension
- Bears bring back TE Marcedes Lewis, 40
- All-Pro returner Jakeem Grant trying out with Jets
- Commanders pay Brandon McManus rest of signing bonus
- Giants TE Darren Waller retires after 8 NFL seasons
- New Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb impressed by Geno Smith's skills
- Sterling Shepard: Baker Mayfield text led to signing with Bucs
- Lions violate offseason contact rule, forfeit one OTA practice
- Hall of Fame Game highlights nationally televised NFL preseason slate
- Agent for Chiefs' BJ Thompson says doctors optimistic
- Seahawks signing veteran QB P.J. Walker
- WR Sterling Shepard reaches deal with Bucs
- Chiefs cancel activities after medical scare
- WR Mecole Hardman rejoins Chiefs
- Corey Linsley released by Chargers, expected to retire
- Browns sign GM Andrew Berry, Kevin Stefanski to extensions
- Steelers to sign CB Cameron Sutton
- Cowboys' Zack Martin: Retirement possible after 2024 season
- Packers hope to extend QB Jordan Love's contract before camp
- Titans see WR Treylon Burks making impact on special teams
- Fantasy Six Pack: oth Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears Have Value? | 2024 Tennessee Titans Fantasy Football Draft Guide
- Fantasy Six Pack: 2025 NFL Draft Big Board
- Fantasy Six Pack: Derrick Henry Be The Rushing King Again? | 2024 Baltimore Ravens Fantasy Football Draft Guide
The Paur Report
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) was held out completely from Thursday's organized team activities due to what he described as "a little soreness" in his surgically repaired right shoulder. "It's nothing to worry about," Richardson said. "I've dealt with this before. Normally, I just ice up and just go back at it again." The Colts aren't going to push the second-year signal-caller after he had season-ending AC joint surgery back in October, and Richardson dismissed any notion that he suffered a setback in his rehab. He said the Colts were actually "surprised" that Thursday was the first day he sat out due to soreness because it's been "smooth sailing" otherwise. Despite having played in only four games in the NFL, Richardson has enticing high-end QB1 upside in fantasy. Richardson should be a full-go in training camp this summer.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts running back Evan Hull (knee) played in just one game and eight offensive snaps in his rookie season in 2023 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in which he tore his left MCL. "It was a root tear, so it was a little different than your typical tear in the body, which would be more of a six- to eight-week type of thing that we see typically," Hull said. The former third-rounder was cleared to resume all football activities a few weeks after offseason organized team activities begin, and he's been competing alongside Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson as the Colts evaluate who will serve as the primary back to Jonathan Taylor in 2024. Sermon is probably the favorite for the No. 2 backfield job, but Hull could see some third-down work in his second season in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Speaking to reporters on Saturday for the first time since his tumultuous offseason, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice said his focus is to "mature and continue to grow." The 24-year-old second-year wideout was arrested in April following a multiple-vehicle crash in Dallas, and he's also a suspect in a separate incident in an alleged assault at a Dallas nightclub in May. "I've learned so much from that," Rice said. "All I can do is mature and continue to grow from that. This is a step in a better direction for me." He has taken part in all offseason practices with the Chiefs but is likely to face a suspension from the league to begin the 2024 season, which is obviously a hit to his fantasy value. In his rookie campaign, Rice became one of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite targets, finishing with 79 receptions on 102 targets for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 regular-season games.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku said that he's looking to "just be better than last year" as an encore to his Pro Bowl season in 2023, and he's also excited about new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey's scheme. "It is juicy," Njoku said of Cleveland's offense. "I am not going to say anything else. Leave it at that. But I'm really excited for this year." The 27-year-old former 29th overall pick in 2017 out of Miami, Njoku set career-highs across the board last year and finished with a team-high 81 catches on 123 targets for 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 16 regular-season games, while playing with five different quarterbacks. Dorsey will be Njoku's fifth offensive coordinator in eight seasons in Cleveland. Most of Njoku's production last year came late with veteran Joe Flacco, but still, he's firmly on the TE1 map in 2024 and has been extremely durable in his career.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud gave wide receiver Nico Collins some high praise at this week's mandatory minicamp, comparing him to Hall of Famer and former Texan Andre Johnson. "[Collins is] a generational talent. He's like our age's Andre Johnson, in my opinion," Stroud said. "Just how fast he is, how he gets in and out of his braces, releases, how strong he is. I think last year was just a preview of what's to come for him." Collins had a career year in 2023, going for 1,297 receiving yards on 80 receptions (109 targets) and eight touchdowns in 15 regular season games (10 starts). The 1,297 yards rank eighth in the team's single-season record books, and his eight touchdowns are tied for fifth. The Texans rewarded Collins with a three-year, $72.5 million extension, but he could have a tough time replicating those numbers in 2024 with Stefon Diggs now in town in Houston.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller announced his retirement on Sunday. There was talk about this, so the news isn't surprising to many. The 2015 sixth-round pick spent his first two seasons in Baltimore before spending five seasons with Oakland/Las Vegas. It was with the Raiders where he made a name for himself, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns and becoming widely known as one of the NFL's top tight ends. Unfortunately, Waller battled injuries over the years, and he finished his final season in the league with the Giants by amassing only 552 yards and a touchdown off 52 catches. But with Waller now out of the equation, Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson are the favorites to fill the void at the position moving ahead, with both men likely battling throughout training camp for the right to sit atop the depth chart.
From RotoBaller
According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, free agent tight end Mercedes Lewis will visit with the Bears on Monday. If all goes according to plan, he will sign a new contract. The veteran has spent time with the Jaguars and Packers before spending 2023 with Chicago, where he amassed just four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. This will be season No. 19 for Lewis, assuming he signs. However, the Bears have Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett on the roster, so Lewis isn't expected to find a spot on many fantasy rosters during the 2024-25 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent CB Steven Nelson (Texans) has announced his retirement from professional football. He did receive interest from the Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders and Miami Dolphins this offseason but has decided to retire, according to sources.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | Early reports are indicating the Vikings are planning on using both Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler extensively this season. Dynasty Analysis: Well, this isn't fun. Off-season reports don't mean much but dynasty managers who are leaning on Jones to be a featured option for the Vikings next season may be disappointed. It shouldn't be a shock as Chandler has looked good in spurts. Jones is also on a short-term deal and largely disappointed last season despite a monster playoff game against Dallas. Chandler may end up being a bargain this off-season.
Dynasty | The Tampa Bay Bucs have signed wide receiver Sterling Shepard. Dynasty Analysis: It's a feel-good story for Shepard but hardly a needle mover in dynasty leagues. Shepard could prove serviceable down the line should he make the team but that's no guarantee. Injuries have really affected his play over the past few years and he's not nearly the player he once was. Dynasty managers should simply keep him on their watch lists at the moment as he isn't roster worthy, despite finding a new home.
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara is expected to participate in the mandatory minicamp this upcoming week, according to head coach Dennis Allen. Kamara did not report for the voluntary workouts this offseason.
Fantasy Spin: Kamara should be the main running back for the Saints again this season and should see plenty of touches each game. He should be a weekly starting option in all fantasy leagues this upcoming season.
From TheHuddle
New York Giants TE Darren Waller informed the team of his retirement from the NFL, according to sources Sunday, June 9.
Fantasy Spin: A move that was widely expected, the Giants will save $11.6 million against the salary cap. This opens up a chance for Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson to take the starting role in the offense. For now, they can be considered potential streaming options in the right matchup.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent TE Marcedes Lewis (Bears) intends to re-sign with the Chicago Bears following a meeting Monday, June 10, according to sources.
From TheHuddle
New England Patriots WRs Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, K.J. Osborn and Ja'Lynn Polk appear to be locks to make the team's 53-man roster at the beginning of the regular season, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. A handful of other receivers, such as Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton are battling for one or two roster spots.
Fantasy Spin: Another roster spot could open up for a wide receiver if Bourne, who is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, begins the 2024 season on the Physically Unable to Perform List. Douglas, Osborn and Baker are worthy of consideration as late-round fliers in fantasy drafts but none should be viewed as a weekly starting option.
From TheHuddle
Kansas City Chiefs safety Nazeeh Johnson (knee) is taking part in offseason organized team activities and recorded a red-zone pass breakup during 11-on-11 drills on Friday. In addition, cornerback Joshua Williams picked a pass off in the red zone. Johnson missed all of last year due to a torn ACL but appears to be on track to be ready for training camp, the preseason and the start of the 2024 regular season this fall. The 25-year-old defensive back was a seventh-round selection by the Chiefs in 2022 out of Marshall. In his rookie campaign, he played in 11 games (no starts) and recorded just eight tackles (five solo). As long as he doesn't suffer a setback with his surgically repaired knee, Johnson will be competing for a depth role in KC's secondary this summer.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans center Juice Scruggs "is looking great" at organized team activities this offseason, according to head coach DeMeco Ryans. Scruggs has worked diligently this offseason to prepare for the 2024 campaign and looks visibly bigger, stronger and more mobile. He's a natural center and is a projected starter for the defending AFC South champions. The 24-year-old former second-rounder last year out of Penn State overcame a slow-healing hamstring injury and started to establish his presence at the line of scrimmage in seven games (six starts). Since an injury to Tytus Howard last year, Scruggs became a starter, including playoff games against the Browns and Ravens, and was a reliable presence on the left side of the line.
From RotoBaller
Former Miami Dolphins star cornerback Xavien Howard sent a male teenager a sexually explicit photograph of the teen's mother because she refused to get an abortion, a new court filing alleges. The allegation was made on Thursday in a lawsuit filed last year by a woman who is not the teenager's mother. The woman is accusing Howard of secretly recording them having sex and sharing the recordings with others. She said Howard also shared, without her consent, sex tapes she had agreed to make. Howard, 30, was released by Miami this offseason in a money-saving move and he remains a free agent. He is denying the claims, according to his attorney, Ted Craig. It remains to be seen if Howard will face any kind of suspension from the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions QB Hendon Hooker needs to 'take a step up' to secure the backup quarterback job from QB Nate Sudfeld, according to head coach Dan Campbell. 'We need to feel like by the end of camp this guy can run this offense,' Campbell said.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills LB Von Miller (knee) has been practicing without a knee brace for the first time since suffering a right knee injury in 2022. 'I have continued to grind and continued to work on my knee,' Miller said. 'Everything revolves around my health and how my knee is feeling.'
From TheHuddle
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman BJ Thompson is in stable condition after suffering cardiac arrest during Thursday's practice. The 25-year-old was taken to the hospital by ambulance on Thursday morning. He was unconscious for an extended period, but Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder told reporters on Friday that he is now alert, awake, and recovering well. It's a scary development, but it sounds like his condition is improving and he will be okay. The 2023 fifth-round pick appeared in one game for Kansas City last season, racking up two tackles in the late-season win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
From RotoBaller
