The NFL officially revealed the regular-season schedule for 2024 on Wednesday night, and the Thursday Night Football slate of games has plenty of intriguing matchups and noteworthy storylines.
While some of the most notable matchups include a showdown between two of the league’s top quarterbacks, Thursday night could also see a few disappointing contests. We dive into all of the notable storylines for this season’s TNF slate.
Most Intriguing Storylines and Matchups on Thursday Night Football
Joe Burrow vs. Lamar Jackson in Week 10
Week 10 should make for an epic quarterback battle between two AFC contenders and division rivals.
Joe Burrow is returning from an injury and will look to again prove himself as one of the top QBs in the league. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is coming off his second career MVP season.
This is the second meeting between the two teams during the regular season, and it could be a pivotal head-to-head in terms of tiebreakers.
Last season, the Cincinnati Bengals struggled against the Baltimore Ravens in November, falling 34-20. That game was also when Burrow suffered his injury.
Lamar and the Ravens are up 21-10 vs. Bengals 👀
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/0mZ9u0yJgi
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron)
NFC North Rivalry in Week 14
The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions will square off in Week 14 in what should be an intriguing matchup for several reasons.
Detroit had an impressive run last season and made its first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1992. Unexpectedly, Green Bay made a run in the playoffs as well in Jordan Love’s first year as the starting quarterback.
Both teams are expected to carry this momentum into the upcoming season, and it could also have high stakes in regards to playoff seeding. Landing late into the regular season, this game could help swing the division in favor of either team as they both look to make another deep playoff run.
AFC East Rivalry in Week 2
The TNF slate does get off to an exciting start with the Buffalo Bills taking on the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo has won the past four meetings between the two teams, which includes a Week 18 victory last year that prevented Miami from winning the division.
Tua Tagovailoa’s team started off hot with a 6-2 record to begin the 2023 campaign, so it’ll be interesting to see if they start out strong again in 2024.
As for the Bills, how the offense looks without two of its top pass-catchers from a season ago in Stefon Diggs (who was traded to the Houston Texans) and Gabe Davis (who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars) will be an intriguing storyline to follow as well.
MORE: 2024 NFL Season and Playoff Predictor
Potential Disappointing Matchups on Thursday Night Football
Sean Payton’s Return to New Orleans
Sean Payton will be returning to New Orleans for the first time since joining the Denver Broncos. While that provides some intrigue, neither the New Orleans Saints nor the Broncos are considered highly competitive teams for this upcoming season.
This matchup features a pair of teams experiencing multi-year playoff droughts, so there will be motivation to win beyond the relationship between Payton and the Saints.
Patriots vs. Jets in Post-Bill Belichick Era
This game does have some intriguing elements. We’ll get an early look at Aaron Rodgers with the New York Jets, could see No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye for New England if he wins the starting job to begin the year, and see how the Patriots look post-Belichick. However, the game itself is not likely to be very competitive.
Last season, the Jets ended a 15-game losing streak against the Patriots in what became Bill Belichick’s final game as head coach in New England. With Belichick gone and that streak snapped, there is even less intrigue in this divisional matchup than in years past.
Seahawks Visit Bears in Week 17
Because this game takes place so late in the season, it likely won’t carry too much weight. Caleb Williams will be finishing out his rookie season, which could be worth watching, and the Seattle Seahawks will be wrapping up Year 1 under Mike Macdonald.
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However, it’s hard to say where these teams will stand at this point in the season. Mike Macdonald could make the Seahawks’ defense more than the sum of its parts and push Seattle back to the playoffs. Chicago, meanwhile, could find success with Williams and be competitive.
Yet, it’s also very possible that this will be a matchup between two teams with losing records.