NFL reveals handful of Week 1 and 2 games

Program nerds, rejoice! Your Christmas morning, OUR Christmas morning, is finally here. The NFL will release the full 2024 schedule tonight at 7 p.m. on the NFL Network. As I have hammered home several times since the Texans’ season ended with a cold defeat in Baltimore, the 2024 schedule will be the most anticipated in the team’s history.

Now, maybe some of you grew up in a family where they allowed you to open a present or two (or, in this case, six) on Christmas Eve. I’m not judging you for this type of profanity, just pointing out its existence, because the NFL does something similar, allowing its broadcast partners to strategically leak the date and participants of a marquee game on their respective media outlets .

So far, here are the matchups that have been announced, with a summary at the bottom of what it all means for the Texans’ early season schedule:

WEEK 1

Thursday, September 5 — RAVENS at CHIEFS (NBC)
Chiefs -2.5, Over/Under 46.5
In a rematch for the AFC title game, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will be forced to watch the Chiefs raise another Super Bowl banner and wonder what might have been if they could have avoided returned the ball last January.

Friday, September 6 — PACKERS vs EAGLES in Sao Paolo, Brazil (Peacock)
Eagles -1.5, Over/Under 48.5
In the first-ever NFL game in Brazil, we are treated to a matchup between two bright young quarterbacks, Jordan Love of the Packers taking on Jalen Hurts of the Eagles. The Packers finished the season strong in 2023 to sneak into the playoffs, while the Eagles lost five of six down the stretch and were eliminated by Tampa Bay in the playoffs.

Sunday, September 8 — COWBOYS at BROWNS (FOX)
Cowboys -1, Over/Under 44
This will be Tom Brady’s first game as a commentator for FOX, so I’m looking forward to hearing his critique of Deshaun Watson, who is returning from a shoulder injury, a $64 million cap hit and All !

Monday, September 9 — JETS at 49ers (ABC/ESPN)
49ers -6, Over/Under 45
Speaking of coming back from injury, Aaron Rodgers and his surgically repaired Achilles make their 2024 debut in about as unfavorable a situation as one could imagine – on the road, across the country, in prime time, against the Niners defense. Aaron Rodgers, this is Nick Bosa.

WEEK 2

Thursday September 12 — BILLS at DOLPHINS (Amazon)
The first Amazon TV show of the season will pit the two AFC East favorites against each other. This will be the country’s first look at an Aaron Rodgers without Stefon Diggs.

Sunday September 15 — BENGALS at CHIEFS (CBS)
Chefs -3, Over/Under 48
The Chiefs open with two home games, but they face the two best teams in the toughest division in the league. It’s a season of redemption for Joe Burrow, who just overcame the label that he’s injury-prone. Twice in four seasons now he’s been injured and lost the entire year.

As for the Texans, these planned “leaks” tell us they definitely won’t be playing in Kansas City for the league’s season opener. I am happy. We also know that the Ravens, Cowboys, Packers and Jets are out for Week 1. All of these teams are on the Texans’ 2024 schedule. Likewise, in Week 2, we now know that they won’t will not face the Bills. , the dolphins, nor the leaders.

By the time you read this, we may have found out whether the Texans travel overseas to face the Vikings or the Jaguars in London. The league reveals international games at 6 a.m. on “Good Morning Football” on the NFL Network.

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