We are less than a week away from the 2024 NFL schedule release, and the added week of anticipation—after many pegged tonight as the hopeful release night—has led to mock schedule exercises. There are endless combinations that the NFL could go with, but I thought it would be cool to give my ideal matchups for the holiday games on Halloween (a Thursday night), Black Friday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Halloween (October 31 – Week 9)
WAS @ BAL | 8:15 PM ET
I would be wary about giving Washington too many primetime matchups despite many having increased expectations under a new regime, but this feels like a great spot for them to be featured. A matchup versus the Ravens—who are an easy choice for Halloween—would have electrifying rookie Jayden Daniels taking on reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, and both can strike fear into opponents based on the plays they can make with their legs. Also, Halloween not at all being treated like Thanksgiving or Christmas in terms of ratings could make the league feel better about the possibility of the Ravens dominating as they did in their 2023 primetime matchups.
Thanksgiving (November 28 – Week 13)
CHI @ DET | 12:30 PM ET
Winning the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history is obviously the goal for the Lions, but getting a victory on Thanksgiving would exercise some demons with a seven-game losing streak dating back to 2017—and three of the losses came versus Chicago. While I’d expect the Bears to have at least one primetime appearance before this, Thanksgiving would be an introduction for No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams to the world with Thanksgiving typically being the biggest draw of the regular season for the NFL.
CIN @ DAL | 4:30 PM ET
The first ever matchup between Stefon Diggs and Trevon Diggs taking place on Thanksgiving is surely something the NFL might consider, but Bengals-Cowboys would be great as well. A couple of years ago, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense was contained as Dallas—led by Cooper Rush—won on a last-second field goal, and I would be surprised if the rematch isn’t another down-to-the-wire finish.
SF @ BUF | 8:20 PM ET
The primetime matchup last Thanksgiving was a bit disappointing as the 49ers handled the Seahawks, but the NFL could try again by giving them a trip to face the Bills—who have become a familiar team on Turkey Day with a 3-0 record over the past five seasons. Buffalo will have plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball, so hopefully everyone will have settled in to be playing at their best by Thanksgiving, and Josh Allen previously lit up the Niners with 375 yards and four scores in the lone career matchup.
Black Friday (November 29 – Week 13)
ATL @ PHI | 3:00 PM ET
Maybe the Giants could be an option if the NFL wants to feature another New York team on Black Friday, but I like the idea of at least keeping the action in the northeast. And because last season was a blowout with the Dolphins destroying an Aaron Rodgers-less Jets squad, Amazon might want a more stable matchup with Falcons-Eagles; Atlanta has premium quarterback insurance behind Kirk Cousins in No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr., and I don’t think anyone would predict Philadelphia not being a contender. Also, the Eagles could break out the black uniforms for the occasion.
Christmas Day (December 25 – Week 17)
HOU @ GB | 1:00 PM ET
C.J. Stroud versus Jordan Love feels like a battle the NFL might want on Christmas, and I am optimistic about having both matchups in outdoor, cold-weather locations after it’s what the league did last year with Denver (the primetime game on Christmas Eve), Kansas City, and Philadelphia hosting before San Francisco had the Christmas Night game. Houston and Green Bay are both coming off playoff berths and now expect to be mainstays in the postseason, so this matchup should be key for each side.
NYJ @ PIT | 4:30 PM ET
Both are now in the AFC, but Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson have had some memorable duals over the years, and Jets-Steelers could be another one as two tough, physical teams go head-to-head. I believe Pittsburgh is due to play on Christmas after they were featured in 2016 (the unforgettable victory over the Ravens in which Antonio Brown scored the game-winning touchdown in the final moments) and 2017 (a 34-6 win over the Texans), and New York will be a huge draw with Rodgers under center.