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.
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: TE Strength of Schedule
- Broncos' coach Sean Payton in no hurry to name a starting QB
- QB Russell Wilson feeling 'revived' with Steelers
- Panthers WR Xavier Legette (hamstring) missing minicamp
- Packers QB Jordan Love at camp, expects contract resolution soon
- Browns WR Amari Cooper absent at minicamp
- Giants QB Daniel Jones not participating in team drills
- 49ers' Christian McCaffrey on cover of Madden NFL 25
- Jets' Aaron Rodgers, Haason Reddick not at mandatory minicamp
- Chiefs' BJ Thompson out of hospital after cardiac arrest
- Cowboys, Panthers eye UFL players
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots close to extension
- 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
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- Fantasy Six Pack: oe Burrow Be Crowned QB1? | 2024 Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Football Draft Guide
- Fantasy Six Pack: oth Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears Have Value? | 2024 Tennessee Titans Fantasy Football Draft Guide
The Paur Report
Updating a previous report, free-agent CB Parry Nickerson (Dolphins) signed a one-year contract worth $1.125 million with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, June 7.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent OG Pat Elflein (Cardinals), C Corey Luciano (49ers), OG Ilm Manning (Panthers) and DE Takkarist McKinley (Cowboys) are participating the in New York Jets minicamp this week on a tryout basis. Undrafted free-agent DE Jeremy Lewis (Eastern Carolina) is also trying out for the Jets.
From TheHuddle
Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton said he wants to stay with the Broncos for his entire career but is not ruling out the possibility of holding out of training camp depending on his contract situation.
Fantasy Spin: Sutton skipped the voluntary workouts because of his contract, so fantasy players will need to monitor the situation leading up to training camp. He will be a starter if he remains with the Broncos but may not be a strong fantasy option.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford is participating in the minicamp this week and is expected to report to training camp on time, according to head coach Sean McVay.
Fantasy Spin: Stafford is looking for a new contract but has decided not to skip any workouts and is on track to report for camp on time as well. He will have a terrific receiver duo to work with again this season but probably will be a No. 2 quarterback in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Buffalo Bills LB Matt Milano (leg) will participate in individual drills during the minicamp this week and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.
From TheHuddle
Free-agent WR Russell Gage Jr. (Buccaneers), DT Camron Peterson (Ravens), undrafted free-agent OT Cameron Wire (Tulane), LB Jordan Smith (Chiefs) and S Roderic Teamer (Raiders) tried out for the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, June 11.
From TheHuddle
Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce told reporters on Tuesday, June 11, that he 'really cannot put a timeframe on (retirement)' intends to 'keep going until the wheels fall off,' according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic.
Fantasy Spin: Kelce also noted that he loves coming to work every single day, so it is possible - albeit unlikely - that the soon-to-be 35-year-old could play past next season. At any rate, Kelce is still playing at a high level and probably locked into 70-plus catches every year as long as Patrick Mahomes stays healthy. Kelce may never repeat his 2022 season, but he is unquestionably an elite TE1 option again this season.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (personal) is not expected to participate in mandatory minicamp this week. While the absence is considered unexcused and Rodgers will be subject to fines due to not being present, the absence is one that Rodgers stated was 'important to him' and head coach Robert Saleh knew about 'a while ago'.
From TheHuddle
Veteran free-agent wide receiver Robbie Chosen is participating in the Seattle Seahawks minicamp this week on a tryout basis, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 31-year-old spent last season with the Miami Dolphins and caught four passes for 126 yards and one touchdown in nine games. Overall, Chosen has hauled in 379 receptions for 5,082 yards and 30 touchdowns in 120 games with the Dolphins, Cardinals, Panthers, and Jets. While Chosen still seems to have game-breaking speed, he hasn't been able to stick on a roster as a key contributor since his 53-catch season in 2021. With DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the Seattle wide receiver room, it would be a surprise if he entered the fantasy football radar, even if he does make the Week 1 active roster. For now, he can be safely ignored in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Two-time All-Pro return man and wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. will take part in the New York Jets' minicamp this week on a tryout basis, according to a source. Grant is attempting to make a comeback of sorts after missing each of the last two years due to injury. He suffered a torn Achilles in training camp in 2022 and a season-ending knee injury in the preseason last year while with the Cleveland Browns. Grant was an All-Pro return man in 2021, though, with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, and he could give the Jets some veteran experience on special teams in 2024 if they sign him. The former sixth-round pick of the Dolphins in 2016 out of Texas Tech has never made much of an impact on offense in his seven NFL campaigns, posting a career-high 36 receptions in 2020 for 373 yards and only one touchdown in 14 games (four starts).
From RotoBaller
Now that tight end Darren Waller officially announced his retirement over the weekend, New York Giants tight ends Daniel Bellinger and rookie Theo Johnson are set to compete for primary pass-catching duties at the position in 2024. Johnson was a fourth-rounder this year, while Bellinger was a fourth-round selection in 2022. But tight ends are physical, but Bellinger has the clear experience edge, having caught 55 of 63 targets for 523 yards and two touchdowns in 29 games in his first two NFL seasons. However, Bellinger's production has left a lot to be desired in fantasy in terms of upside, leaving the door open for Johnson to impress and earn more work as his rookie campaign rolls on this fall. In a suspect Giants offense with a quarterback coming off a torn ACL last year, neither Bellinger nor Johnson represent anything more than a low-end TE2 in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton has impressed head coach Matt LaFleur during offseason workouts, with LaFleur praising Melton's speed, run-blocking abilities, consistency and work ethic. Melton's speed was referred to as an "elite trait" that helped him go from the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad in 2023, to the Packers' practice squad, to going over 100 yards rushing in a Week 17 win. The 25-year-old also received 39 offensive snaps, including a 19-yard touchdown reception, in two postseason games. Melton had 16 catches on 24 targets for 218 yards and one touchdown in five regular-season games for Green Bay, but for now he's a bit buried on the receiver depth chart behind Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed. He'll be left to the waiver wire in most fantasy drafts, but he's a name to watch if the Packers suffer an injury or two at the position in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed head coach Mike Tomlin to an undisclosed three-year contract extension on Monday that takes him through the 2027 season, according to the team. The 52-year-old said in January that he expected to get an extension this offseason after some people were starting to question his future with the organization. Under Tomlin for the last 17 years, the Steelers have never had a losing season, which is already an NFL record. Tomlin has a 173-100-2 regular-season record and is 8-10 in the playoffs as the Steelers' head coach. This year, he'll have an interest situation to navigate at quarterback with veteran Russell Wilson and former first-rounder Justin Fields potentially creating some QB controversy.
From RotoBaller
Veteran cornerback Steven Nelson officially announced his retirement from professional football over the weekend after helping the Houston Texans made the playoffs last year, when he was second in interceptions (four) and pass deflections (12) on the team. Nelson had an interception returned for a touchdown in the wild-card win over the Cleveland Browns. The 31-year-old was originally a third-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 and he spent four seasons with the Chiefs before inking a three-year, $25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played two seasons in Pittsburgh and then signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022. The former Oregon State defensive back finishes his NFL career with 13 interceptions, 78 passes defended and 456 tackles.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson told reporters on Monday he thinks he's "pretty close" to signing a contract extension with the organization. This could be good news for dynasty fantasy managers with the 26-year-old on their rosters, especially after a down year in 2023. The former fourth-round pick entered last year's campaign as the clear starting running back for the first time in his career, but he was limited to just 12 games due to injury. Overall, he tallied 156 rushes for 619 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 38 receptions (51 targets) for 238 yards. If New England re-signs him before Week 1, it'll likely mean he's further ahead of Antonio Gibson on the depth chart than many realize. Gibson, who has shown promise in his career but has failed to produce over the last few seasons, could eat into his receiving workload, but Stevenson remains the RB1 as things stand. The New England offense will likely be one of the worst units in the NFL, so his upside is likely capped in 2024.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Javon Baker (undisclosed) was a limited participant in Monday's offseason practice, according to Patriots reporter Mike Kadlick. It's unclear why the rookie isn't practicing in full, but he is not wearing gloves or getting the ball thrown to him in drills. For now, this shouldn't be much of a concern, but it's a situation worth monitoring. The 2024 fourth-round pick enters his rookie season with a chance to compete for snaps and targets right away. The New England wideout room consisting of Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk, Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, K.J. Osborn, and Tyquan Thornton is one of the worst units in the NFL, so the 2023 First-Team All-Big-12 selection and 1,100-yard receiver could make a fantasy impact in 2024. That said, the ceiling of the entire offense will likely be limited under veteran Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson finished his rookie campaign with 38 receptions (58 targets) for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games last year. It wasn't a great showing, but the Stanford product posted three games of at least 75 receiving yards and netted a respectable 14.9 yards per reception. Franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is expected big things from Wilson in his sophomore season. "He's one of those guys -- if I call him at 3:00 a.m., he's there," Murray said. "I fully expect Mike to go off this year for sure." Head coach Jonathan Gannon echoed Murray's statements, saying Wilson is "fast and explosive." Although it's a great sign that his quarterback and head coach believe in him, expectations should be tempered. In all likelihood, he'll operate as the No. 3 option in the passing game behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride. Either way, he figures to be an intriguing late-round flier and best ball option.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract to join the organization this offseason, and Mark Kaboly of the Athletic said he looks like the team's No. 2 wide receiver after OTAs. After moving on from Diontae Johnson, third-year wideout George Pickens is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver, but the depth chart behind him is weak on paper. Rookie Roman Wilson and veterans Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller are also likely to compete for targets behind Pickens, but Jefferson could have more fantasy football value than expected. The former second-round pick out of Florida has tallied 113 receptions for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns in 61 games with the Rams and Atlanta Falcons. The Pittsburgh offense is tough to navigate for fantasy football in 2024, especially since many expect Russell Wilson to eventually be benched for Justin Fields. Ultimately, fantasy managers in shallow setups should likely opt to focus on acquiring Pickens or tight end Pat Freiermuth and the Steelers' running back tandem of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the offense will likely remain a run-heavy attack.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth enjoyed immediate success when he entered the NFL as a second-round pick out of Penn State in 2021. As a rookie, he caught 60 of his 79 targets for 467 yards and seven touchdowns. In Year 2, he hauled in 63 passes for 732 yards and two scores and looked the part of an emerging high-floor fantasy tight end. Unfortunately, he was limited to just 12 games in 2023 and tallied just 308 yards and two touchdowns. However, with Russell Wilson at quarterback and Arthur Smith running the Pittsburgh offense, he could be headed toward a bounce-back campaign in 2024. Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly said Freiermuth was not only targeted heavily in OTAs, but he has looked like a "legitimate playmaker," and the team might extend his contract before Week 1. The Atlanta Falcons ranked among the top five teams in total tight end targets in two of Smith's three seasons as head coach, and in his final season as the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator in 2020, they ranked seventh in total tight end targets. Given the weak group of wide receivers behind George Pickens, it would not be a surprise if Freiermuth is the No. 2 option in the revamped passing game. He could be a solid value pick at his mid-range TE2 cost in early fantasy drafts.
From RotoBaller
