NFL Schedule Release: Prime Time Matchups

Credit: NFL

The NFL is set to release the schedule for the 2024-25 season for all 32 teams at 8pm on NFL Network and ESPN 2 Wednesday. However, the league has officially announced some of the prime time matchups to start the season in both Week 1 and Week 2. Here's a look at all of the matchups announced so far prior to the  full schedule being released.

Opening Night Matchup: Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs on NBC:

“Go big or go home” sets the stage for a matchup of two of the AFC’s heavyweights to kick off the season. This game is a rematch of the AFC Championship, in which the Chiefs secured their place in Super Bowl LVIII. Both teams have made significant improvements this offseason.

The Baltimore Ravens, in particular, have made notable additions, including Derrick Henry, who was signed in free agency. They have also managed to retain key pieces such as defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, who is coming off a career year with the Ravens.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, the journey towards a three-peat begins at home in the roaring Arrowhead Stadium. The reigning Super Bowl Champions have had a solid offseason, acquiring numerous free agents. Notably, they signed Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in free agency to bolster a wide receiver core that experienced ups and downs in the previous regular season.

When it comes to retaining key players, the Chiefs have done a spectacular job, extending contracts for both Chris Jones and L’Jarius Sneed, two of their key contributors on defense.

All in all, one could not ask for a better game to kick off the football season.

Sunday Late Slate Prime Matchup: Dallas Cowboys @ Cleveland Browns on Fox:

The Cowboys will commence the season on the road, facing the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are aiming to replicate their success from the previous season, which saw them reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Despite the absence of both Nick Chubb and Deshaun Watson, Cleveland had an exceptional season, particularly towards the end. Now, with both players back and preparing for another campaign, the Browns are hopeful that Watson will reach his full potential.

Cleveland had a satisfactory offseason, retaining many key pieces of their defense, which was ranked among the top 10 units by Pro Football Focus. They also acquired Jerry Jeudy from the Broncos via a trade, hoping that a change of scenery might unlock his untapped potential and form a dynamic duo with former Cowboy, Amari Cooper.

Turning to the Cowboys, Dallas has done what it could with extensions for CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Dak Prescott on the horizon. The Cowboys have prioritized becoming younger and more cost-effective. The most significant losses for the Cowboys were undoubtedly Tyron Smith at tackle and Tyler Biadasz at center, both of whom left in free agency. Tony Pollard also departed in free agency, signing with the Tennessee Titans.

Dallas prioritized the offensive and defensive lines during the draft to aid in protecting Dak Prescott and halting the opponent’s offensive run game. Despite these changes, it will be intriguing to see how both teams match up against each other. Another point of interest will be Tom Brady’s debut as a commentator for Fox, with this game marking the first for the seven-time Super Bowl Champion.

MNF New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers on ESPN and ABC:

Aaron Rodgers is set for a homecoming as he returns to Northern California to face the San Francisco 49ers in his second season debut with the Jets on Monday Night Football. This game represents a true test for the Jets on all fronts.

Pass protection for New York is particularly crucial, as Rodgers famously suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in his Jets debut last season against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. This injury sidelined Rodgers for the entire campaign.

In response, the Jets prioritized Rodgers’ protection this offseason, bringing in both Morgan Moses and the aforementioned Tyron Smith. They also added first-round pick Olu Fashanu to inject youth into the tackle group. This group will face off against one of the best defensive units in football, led by Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, and Fred Warner.

Offensively, the 49ers have only improved this offseason. They have managed to retain both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel so far, and have added to their pass-catching group with Florida’s Ricky Pearsall, who they drafted in the first round of this year’s draft.

Both teams match up well against each other, with Jets head coach Robert Saleh having spent three seasons in the Bay Area as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. He has built his Jets team to closely resemble the 49ers.

All in all, this promises to be an exciting matchup to round out the first week of football.

Week 2 TNF Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins on Prime:

The last time these two teams faced each other, the game was a nail-biter, and fans are hoping for a similar showdown this time. The Bills managed to turn their season around last year, winning the AFC East over Miami down the stretch. Now, they are set to kick off their second week of football in South Beach.

The Dolphins have brought in a significant number of veteran players to replace the substantial talent they lost in free agency. The departures of both Christian Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency have dealt a significant blow to their pass rush. Similarly, the loss of standout guard Robert Hunt has impacted their quarterback protection.

Mike McDaniel and his team often start the season on a high note, but a divisional heavyweight like the Bills could present a challenge. The Bills spent this offseason becoming younger and more cost-effective, parting ways with many veteran players in free agency and trading away their top weapon, Stefon Diggs, to the Houston Texans.

On paper, this team may appear unproven. However, Buffalo has made concerted efforts to add depth and playmakers to ensure success in the regular season and overcome their playoff obstacles.

Week 2 Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs on CBS:

The Chiefs are set to host back-to-back divisional opponents to kick off their first two games of the regular season, with their arch-nemesis, the Bengals, slated for Week 2. Encounters between Burrow and Mahomes invariably deliver thrilling spectacles, and this time should be no exception.

The Bengals enter the season with a chip on their shoulder following an injury-riddled campaign last year. Joe Burrow, in particular, is keen to prove his health and lethal prowess, especially after missing the rest of the season post-Week 11 due to a wrist injury.

The Bengals have managed to retain key contributors on both sides of the ball thus far. However, the futures of both Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson are worth monitoring as the season commences.

Kansas City currently enjoys a two-game winning streak against the Bengals. The Chiefs not only hope to extend this streak but also aim to demonstrate their readiness to take on any challenger in their quest for a three-peat.

With the start of the season still a fair distance away, identifying key matchups for each team provides fans with something to anticipate. Every season is invariably unique and full of surprises. The full schedule will be released at 8 P.M. Eastern Time on NFL Network and ESPN 2 on May 15th.