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NFL Schedule This Week – Full Games Times TV Streaming 2024

Oliver Thomas Thompson Harrison • 2026-04-12 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

The 2024 NFL regular season delivered 272 games across 18 weeks, running from September 5, 2024, through early January 2025. The schedule featured a mix of Thursday, Sunday, and Monday primetime matchups, international games, and special holiday presentations. This comprehensive overview covers the complete structure of weekly NFL broadcasts, including game times, television channels, streaming options, and key contextual information for fans planning their viewing.

Understanding how the NFL schedules its games helps fans maximize their football viewing experience. From the season-opening Ravens-Chiefs clash to the Christmas Day Netflix doubleheader, each week brought distinct matchups across multiple networks and platforms.

What is the NFL Schedule for This Week?

The 2024 NFL season followed a consistent weekly pattern, with games distributed across four primary viewing windows. Understanding this structure helps fans identify when and where their favorite teams compete.

Thursday Night
Primetime slots at 8:15-8:20 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Sunday Early
1:00 p.m. ET games on CBS and Fox
Sunday Late
4:05-4:25 p.m. ET afternoon games
Monday Night
8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC with occasional doubleheaders
  • The 2024 season opened with Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, September 5, at 8:20 p.m. on NBC
  • International games appeared in Week 1 (Brazil), Week 6, and Week 7 (London)
  • The 49ers, Cowboys, and Jets each appeared in primetime six times during the season, tied for the most appearances
  • Christmas Day featured a historic Netflix doubleheader with Chiefs at Steelers and Ravens at Texans
  • Three Thanksgiving games highlighted Week 13, plus a Black Friday Raiders-at-Chiefs matchup
  • Saturday doubleheaders occurred in Week 17, with a tripleheader on December 28
  • Flex scheduling in Weeks 17-18 allowed the league to adjust primetime matchups based on playoff implications
Week Teams on Bye Total Games Primetime Slots
1 None 15 4 (TNF, 2 SNF, MNF)
5 Bengals, Broncos, Chiefs, Rams, Steelers 13 3
6 Bills, Cardinals, Falcons, Titans 13 4 (TNF, SNF, MNF)
11 Bears, Broncos, Dolphins, Texans 13 4
15-18 None 14-16 4-5

NFL Game Times and TV Channels This Week

Thursday Night Football Schedule

Prime Video carried Thursday Night Football starting in Week 2, following the league’s opening week kickoff game. The TNF schedule spanned from October through late December, featuring intra-divisional matchups and playoff implications. Week 2 opened with Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, setting the tone for competitive AFC battles throughout the season.

Subsequent weeks showcased matchups including 49ers at Seahawks (Week 6), Broncos at Saints (Week 7), Jaguars at Steelers (Week 8), Vikings at Rams (Week 9), Texans at Jets (Week 10), and Bengals at Ravens (Week 11). The schedule intensified through December with Packers at Lions (Week 14), Rams at 49ers (Week 15), and Seahawks at Bears (Week 17) rounding out the TNF broadcast slate.

Sunday Night Football Schedule

NBC’s Sunday Night Football anchored the week’s viewing with its 8:20 p.m. ET primetime slot. The season opened with Rams at Lions in Week 1, followed by marquee matchups including Bengals at Giants (Week 6), Cowboys at 49ers (Week 7), Chiefs at Bills (Week 8), and Packers vs. Dolphins (Week 12). The Thanksgiving nightcap featured 49ers at Bills in Week 13.

December brought Buccaneers at Cowboys (Week 16), Dolphins at Browns (Week 17), and a TBD Week 18 flex game that could feature any number of playoff-relevant matchups depending on standings entering the final week of the regular season.

Monday Night Football Schedule

ESPN and ABC shared Monday Night Football duties, with the 8:15 p.m. ET slot featuring doubleheader coverage in select weeks. Week 1 launched with Jets at 49ers, immediately showcasing a Super Bowl preview between two conference contenders. Weeks 3, 6, and 7 featured multiple games per night, expanding coverage options for viewers.

The mid-season schedule included Giants at Steelers (Week 8), Buccaneers at Chiefs (Week 9), Dolphins at Rams (Week 10), and Ravens at Buccaneers paired with Chargers at Cardinals (Week 7 doubleheader). The season concluded with a TBD Week 18 flex game that could shift based on playoff positioning needs.

Broadcasting Networks Overview

CBS and Fox handled the majority of Sunday early and late afternoon games, with regional coverage ensuring most markets saw their local team. NBC’s Sunday Night Football served as the flagship primetime broadcast, while ESPN/ABC managed Monday nights and Amazon Prime Video delivered Thursday games through its exclusive TNF package.

Where to Watch and Stream NFL Games This Week

Traditional Television Options

Viewers with traditional cable or satellite subscriptions accessed NFL games through major broadcast networks. CBS and Fox covered Sunday afternoon games, with CBS typically handling AFC matchups and Fox managing NFC contests. NBC broadcast Sunday Night Football and the season opener, while ESPN carried Monday Night Football with occasional ABC simulcasts.

Regional sports networks occasionally carried additional NFL coverage, particularly for teams in smaller markets or during preseason broadcasts. The league’s broadcast contracts ensured widespread availability across DirecTV, Dish Network, and major cable providers nationwide.

Streaming Platforms and Digital Access

Streaming became increasingly central to NFL viewing, with multiple platforms offering live and on-demand options. Amazon Prime Video delivered exclusive Thursday Night Football coverage beginning in Week 2, requiring only a Prime subscription for access. Peacock carried select games, including the Packers-Eagles season opener from Brazil on Friday, September 6.

Netflix entered NFL broadcasting with its Christmas Day doubleheader, marking the streaming giant’s first major sports venture. ESPN+ and Disney+ supplemented Monday Night Football coverage through the Disney bundle, providing additional viewing flexibility for subscribers.

The NFL+ mobile app offered in-market and out-of-market game streaming, though blackout restrictions applied to nationally broadcast matchups. This service proved particularly valuable for fans unable to access traditional television or seeking to watch games on mobile devices while traveling.

Streaming Availability

Each streaming platform maintains its own schedule exclusivity, meaning not all games appear on all services. Thursday Night Football remains exclusive to Prime Video, Sunday Night Football requires NBC broadcast or streaming access, and Monday Night Football appears on ESPN/ABC platforms. Christmas Day games aired exclusively on Netflix during the 2024 season.

NFL Bye Weeks and Key Context This Week

How Bye Weeks Work

The NFL distributed bye weeks between Weeks 5 and 14, ensuring no team rested during the opening month while maintaining competitive balance through the midseason. Each franchise received exactly one bye week, with the league scheduling these breaks to prevent full weeks without NFL action.

Week 5 featured the earliest bye week cluster, with Cincinnati, Denver, Kansas City, Los Angeles (Rams), and Pittsburgh all resting. Week 6 followed with Buffalo, Arizona, Atlanta, and Tennessee on bye. Additional clusters appeared through Week 14, with no byes scheduled during the final four weeks when playoff positioning became critical.

Impact on Fantasy Football and Betting

Bye weeks significantly influenced fantasy football lineups, particularly when star players from recently bye-weeked teams returned to action. Fantasy managers tracked which teams sat during specific weeks to anticipate player availability and adjust rosters accordingly. Similarly, sportsbooks adjusted betting lines based on bye week distributions, as teams playing without key starters often saw altered matchup dynamics.

The schedule strategically positioned divisional opponents to share bye weeks where possible, preventing situations where one team rested while a division rival played. This balance maintained competitive integrity across the league while accommodating roster management needs for 32 franchises.

Schedule Flexibility

The NFL reserves the right to flex games in Weeks 17-18, meaning primetime assignments may change based on playoff implications. Fans should verify matchups close to game day, as broadcast schedules occasionally adjusted to maximize meaningful matchups during the season’s final weeks.

Week-by-Week NFL Game Sequence

The typical NFL week followed a predictable pattern beginning with Thursday Night Football and concluding with Monday Night Football. This structure allowed the league to maintain consistent viewing habits while spacing games across multiple days to maximize audience reach.

  1. Thursday Night: Week officially opened with TNF at 8:15-8:20 p.m. ET on Prime Video (starting Week 2), following the NBC season kickoff in Week 1
  2. Friday (select weeks): Occasional Friday games appeared, including the Brazil opener in Week 1 and the Black Friday Chiefs-Raiders matchup in Week 13
  3. Sunday Early: First wave of games kicked off at 1:00 p.m. ET across CBS and Fox regional broadcasts
  4. Sunday Late: Second wave followed at 4:05-4:25 p.m. ET, typically featuring West Coast matchups or nationally prominent teams
  5. Sunday Night: NBC’s flagship broadcast occupied the 8:20 p.m. ET slot, showcasing the week’s most anticipated matchup
  6. Monday Night: The week concluded with ESPN/ABC coverage at 8:15 p.m. ET, occasionally featuring doubleheader coverage with early and late games

International games occasionally disrupted the standard schedule, with London matchups typically occurring at 9:30 a.m. ET to accommodate the time zone difference. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted home games in the UK during Weeks 6 and 7, while the São Paulo opener in Week 1 represented the league’s continued international expansion efforts.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear

The NFL released its complete regular-season schedule well before Week 1, providing certainty around matchups, broadcast networks, and general time slots. This advanced notice allowed fans, fantasy participants, and media outlets to plan accordingly throughout the season.

Confirmed Information Information Requiring Verification
Complete 272-game regular-season schedule Flex adjustments in Weeks 17-18
Broadcast network assignments per game Weather-related postponements
Primetime matchup selections (Weeks 2-16) Injury report impacts on viewing
Bye week assignments for all 32 teams International game confirmations
Streaming platform exclusivities Halftime show performers and special events
Holiday game scheduling (Thanksgiving, Christmas) Alternate broadcast feeds and international coverage

Flex scheduling created inherent uncertainty in Weeks 17-18, where the league could substitute originally scheduled primetime games with more relevant matchups based on playoff implications. This practice benefited viewers by showcasing meaningful games but required fans to verify their preferred matchup remained scheduled close to game day.

Background and Context for NFL Scheduling

The NFL’s scheduling formula balances competitive equity, broadcast obligations, and logistical considerations across 32 franchises. Each team played 17 regular-season games against a predetermined rotation of divisional opponents, conference rivals, and inter-conference matchups determined by the previous year’s standings.

Broadcast partners influenced primetime selections, with networks requesting certain matchups based on anticipated audience size and advertiser demand. The league accommodated these requests while maintaining competitive balance, ensuring strong teams appeared frequently in primetime while developing markets received appropriate exposure.

International games represented the NFL’s ongoing global expansion strategy, with the London Games and São Paulo opener providing regular-season content to international audiences. These games required significant logistical coordination, including team travel, stadium preparation, and broadcast infrastructure unique to each host location. You can find similar scheduling information for other major sporting events in our Oct 2025 BTO Launch – Dates Prices Projects Guide article.

Sources and Additional NFL Information

The NFL’s official website serves as the authoritative source for complete schedule listings, broadcast information, and real-time updates. The league’s operations division maintains detailed records of all 272 regular-season games, including historical matchups, television assignments, and streaming availability across multiple platforms.

Major sports networks including CBS Sports and Sporting News provide comprehensive coverage of NFL scheduling, with detailed breakdowns of primetime matchups, weekly previews, and analysis of broadcast assignments. These sources supplement official league data with expert commentary and contextual information.

The NFL’s broadcast partnerships generate billions in annual revenue, enabling the league to maintain competitive balance through revenue sharing among all 32 franchises. This economic model supports smaller-market teams’ ability to retain talent and compete for playoff positioning.

— NFL Communications, 2024 Schedule Announcement

Pro Football Reference maintains historical schedule data and statistical records enabling cross-season comparisons and trend analysis. ESPN provides searchable schedule databases and real-time score updates during game weeks. F.B.I Sports Stats offers analytical perspectives on scheduling efficiency and broadcast ratings trends throughout the season. For comprehensive vehicle registration processes in Singapore, see our LTA Car Plate Bidding – Full Guide and Latest Updates resource.

Summary

The 2024 NFL regular season delivered comprehensive weekly coverage across multiple television and streaming platforms. The 272-game schedule distributed matchups across Thursday, Sunday, and Monday viewing windows, with each primetime slot featuring specific broadcast partners and exclusive streaming availability. Understanding the structure of weekly NFL broadcasts helps fans optimize their viewing experience, whether accessing games through traditional cable, streaming services, or mobile applications. The league’s bye week distribution between Weeks 5-14 maintained competitive balance while ensuring consistent game availability throughout the season. Special event programming including Thanksgiving games, Christmas Day broadcasts, and international matchups added variety to the standard weekly format. Fans seeking the most current schedule information should consult official NFL sources or their preferred sports media outlet, particularly during Weeks 17-18 when flex scheduling may alter originally announced primetime assignments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What NFL games are on television this week?

The 2024 NFL regular season featured games across Thursday (Prime Video), Sunday (CBS/Fox/NBC), and Monday (ESPN/ABC) windows, with specific matchups varying week-by-week. Check official NFL schedule sources for current week listings.

What channel is Thursday Night Football on?

Thursday Night Football aired on Amazon Prime Video during the 2024 season, beginning in Week 2. Week 1 featured the season opener on NBC (Ravens at Chiefs) rather than the TNF broadcast package.

How can I stream NFL games online?

NFL games streamed through multiple platforms: Prime Video (TNF), Peacock (select games), ESPN+ (MNF supplemental coverage), Netflix (Christmas games), and NFL+ (mobile access with regional restrictions).

When do NFL bye weeks occur?

Bye weeks distributed between Weeks 5 and 14 during the 2024 season, with no teams resting during Weeks 1-4 or 15-18. Each franchise received exactly one bye week during this window.

What time do Sunday Night Football games start?

Sunday Night Football kicked off at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC during the 2024 season, serving as the week’s primetime showcase and typically featuring playoff-contending teams or notable rivalry matchups.

How many NFL games are played each week?

The NFL scheduled 14-16 games per week during the regular season, with 32 teams playing 17 games each across 18 weeks, resulting in one team idle each week (the team on bye) plus approximately 14-16 active matchups.

Are NFL schedule flex games possible in all weeks?

The NFL flexes games only in Weeks 17-18, allowing the league to substitute originally scheduled primetime matchups with more relevant games based on playoff implications. Earlier weeks maintain their announced schedule.

What is the NFL schedule format by time?

NFL games follow a weekly sequence: Thursday (8:15-8:20 p.m. ET), Sunday early (1:00 p.m. ET), Sunday late (4:05-4:25 p.m. ET), Sunday night (8:20 p.m. ET), and Monday night (8:15 p.m. ET).

Oliver Thomas Thompson Harrison

About the author

Oliver Thomas Thompson Harrison

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.