Ranking The 10 Best Thursday Night Football Games From the NFL Schedule

The NFL season is just around the corner, and the excitement is building as we approach the start of the 2024 campaign. The NFL returns in just two days, kicking off with the traditional Thursday night opener.

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While Thursday games have been hit-or-miss in recent years, the NFL and Amazon Prime, which streams these games, are committed to delivering high-quality matchups this season. With 16 Thursday Night Football games set to air on Amazon Prime and one on NBC/Peacock, fans can expect a season full of intriguing showdowns.

To help you navigate the upcoming season, here’s a look at the top 10 Thursday Night Football games of 2024:

10. Week 7: Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints

Kicking off our list is the Week 7 matchup between the Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints. This game marks the highly anticipated return of Sean Payton to New Orleans, where he coached the Saints from 2006-11 and 2013-21. Payton is now in his second season as the head coach of the Broncos, leading a team that includes rookie quarterback Bo Nix. While the Saints aren’t expected to be a top team in the NFC this season, the storyline of Payton’s return to the Big Easy is compelling enough to land this game in the top 10.

9. Week 8: Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams

The Minnesota Vikings will travel to Los Angeles to face the Rams. The Rams surprised many with their performance last season, and they’ll be looking to take another step forward in 2024. On the other side, the Vikings will rely on the experience of veteran quarterback Sam Darnold, as rookie J.J. McCarthy recovers from knee surgery. This game will also give us a glimpse of how the Rams’ young defense is adapting without Aaron Donald, making it a must-watch.

8. Week 13: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Week 13 clash between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs promises to be a thrilling division showdown. While this game isn’t technically a Thursday night matchup — it’s on a Friday afternoon, the day after Thanksgiving — it will still air on Amazon Prime. The Chiefs, led by Patrick Mahomes, are aiming for their ninth consecutive division title and are favorites to win the Super Bowl once again. The Raiders, however, pulled off an upset against the Chiefs on the road last Christmas and will be looking to replicate that success.

7. Week 4: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

Week 4 brings us a classic NFC East rivalry as the Dallas Cowboys take on the New York Giants. These two teams are no strangers to primetime matchups against one another. Fans will get their first primetime look at Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, while the Cowboys aim to assert their dominance in the division once again.

6. Week 16: Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Week 16 matchup between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals could very well decide the AFC North title. The Browns are looking to capture their first division title since 1989, while the Bengals are seeking their first since 2022. With so much on the line, this “Battle of Ohio” will carry significant weight as both teams push for a playoff berth.

5. Week 14: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

In Week 14, the Green Bay Packers travel to Detroit to take on the Lions in a pivotal NFC North showdown. The Lions are favored to win the division, but the Packers are determined to maintain their long-standing dominance in the NFC North. Last season, the two teams split their matchups, and this game could determine the division title, making it one of the most important Thursday night games of the season.

4. Week 15: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Week 15 matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara is one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. The 49ers have had the Rams’ number in recent years, winning three of their last four matchups. However, the Rams finally won a regular season matchup against the 49ers in last season’s finale at Levi’s Stadium. This game could determine the NFC West title, as the 49ers are once again Super Bowl favorites, and the Rams are eager to establish themselves as contenders.

3. Week 10: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Coming in at No. 3 is the Week 10 showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens. These two teams have dominated the AFC North in recent years, and with both Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson healthy, this game should be a quarterback duel for the ages. Both Burrow and Jackson are perennial MVP candidates, and this game will have significant implications for the division race.

2. Week 9: Houston Texans vs. New York Jets

The Week 9 matchup between the Houston Texans and the New York Jets is a game to watch for several reasons. The Texans have revamped their offense and are looking to make a statement in the AFC, while the Jets, led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, aim to be contenders from the start. If both teams live up to expectations, this could be a potential playoff preview, making it one of the most exciting Thursday night games of the season.

1. Week 1: Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Topping our list is the game that will kick off the 2024 NFL season: the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. This is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game, in which the Chiefs emerged victorious with a 17-10 win. The Ravens will witness the Chiefs raise their championship banner and will be eager to exact revenge as they begin their own quest for a Super Bowl title. This game sets the tone for the entire season and is the perfect way to start what promises to be an unforgettable year of football.

As we count down the days until the 2024 NFL season begins, the anticipation is palpable. With these top Thursday Night Football matchups on the horizon, fans have plenty to look forward to. Get ready, folks — the NFL is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be a season for the ages.