NFL Games 2024: Streaming, Schedule & Teams
The National Football League (NFL) is a testament to America’s enduring love affair with football. Founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, the league adopted its current name in 1922.
Over the decades, the NFL has evolved from a humble Midwestern organization into a national phenomenon that captivates millions of fans across the United States and beyond.
The NFL’s popularity is unparalleled in American sports. It consistently dominates television ratings, with the Super Bowl annually ranking as one of the most-watched events in the country. The league’s cultural significance extends beyond the field, influencing fashion, music, and language.
Apart from live stadium games, the NFL can be watched on television or any other device to enjoy the live-action sitting at home.
As we approach the 2024-2025 season, the NFL continues to innovate and expand its reach, offering fans more ways than ever to engage with the sport they love.
What Is The NFL?
The NFL is the premier professional American football league, consisting of 32 teams divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC).
At its core, the sport combines strategy, athleticism, and raw power, as teams battle to move an oval-shaped ball down a 100-yard field to score points.
A typical NFL game lasts about 3 hours, though the actual playing time is 60 minutes, divided into four 15-minute quarters. The discrepancy is due to time-outs, commercial breaks, and stoppages between plays.
Each team is allowed three time-outs per half, which can be used strategically to stop the clock or regroup.
The league structure ensures that each team plays 17 regular-season games over 18 weeks, facing a mix of conference rivals and inter-conference opponents. This format creates a balanced schedule while maintaining traditional rivalries and fostering new ones.
How Does The NFL Work?
The NFL operates under a complex set of rules that govern gameplay, scoring, and player conduct. Teams field 11 players at a time, with specialized units for offense, defense, and special teams.
NFL Basic Rules And Objectives
The offensive team aims to advance the ball into the opponent’s end zone for a touchdown or kick it through the goalposts for a field goal. They have four attempts (downs) to move the ball 10 yards; failing to do so results in a turnover.
The defensive team tries to prevent this progress and regain possession of the ball.
NFL Field Dimensions And Markings
An NFL field is 100 yards long and 53.3 yards wide, with additional 10-yard end zones at each end. Yard lines mark the field every 5 yards, with hash marks indicating single-yard increments.
NFL Player Positions And Roles
NFL is a complex sport with specialized roles for each position. Understanding these roles is key to knowing how exactly the game works.
Here’s a basic breakdown of the main positions:
- Offense: Quarterback (QB), Running Backs (RB), Wide Receivers (WR), Tight Ends (TE), Offensive Linemen
- Defense: Defensive Linemen, Linebackers, Cornerbacks, Safeties
- Special Teams: Kicker, Punter, Long Snapper, Return Specialists
Learn more about how the play works for both offensive and defensive positions via this official NFL formation basics.
NFL Scoring System
The NFL’s scoring system rewards teams for various achievements during the game. Here’s a quick guide to how points are awarded:
- Touchdown: 6 points
- Extra Point: 1 point (kick) or 2 points (run/pass play)
- Field Goal: 3 points
- Safety: 2 points
NFL Quarters And Overtime Rules
Games are divided into four 15-minute quarters. If tied after regulation, teams play a 10-minute overtime period.
The first team to score wins, but if the first possession results in a field goal, the other team can match or exceed that score.
NFL Teams
Let us now learn about the NFL’s 32 teams from the NFC and AFC conferences. These teams are divided into eight divisions, four in each conference.
Here’s a brief overview of each team in the two conferences, the city they originate in, and their highest-ever finishes:
1. AFC East
| Team | City | Highest Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | Buffalo | 4 AFC Championships |
| Miami Dolphins | Miami | 2 Super Bowl wins (1972, 1973) |
| New England Patriots | Foxborough | 6 Super Bowl wins (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018) |
| New York Jets | New York | 1 Super Bowl win (1968) |
2. AFC North
| Team | City | Highest Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore | 2 Super Bowl wins (2000, 2012) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Cincinnati | 3 AFC Championships |
| Cleveland Browns | Cleveland | 4 AAFC Championships |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Pittsburgh | 6 Super Bowl wins (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 2005, 2008) |
3. AFC South
| Team | City | Highest Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | Houston | 4 Division titles |
| Indianapolis Colts | Indianapolis | 2 Super Bowl wins (1970, 2006) |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Jacksonville | 3 Division titles |
| Tennessee Titans | Nashville | 1 AFC Championship |
4. AFC West
| Team | City | Highest Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | Denver | 3 Super Bowl wins (1997, 1998, 2015) |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City | 3 Super Bowl wins (1969, 2019, 2023) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Las Vegas | 3 Super Bowl wins (1976, 1980, 1983) |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Los Angeles | 1 AFL Championship |
5. NFC East
| Team | City | Highest Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | Arlington | 5 Super Bowl wins (1971, 1977, 1992, 1993, 1995) |
| New York Giants | New York | 4 Super Bowl wins (1986, 1990, 2007, 2011) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Philadelphia | 1 Super Bowl win (2017) |
| Washington Commanders | Landover | 3 Super Bowl wins (1982, 1987, 1991) |
6. NFC North
| Team | City | Highest Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | Chicago | 1 Super Bowl win (1985) |
| Detroit Lions | Detroit | 4 NFL Championships |
| Green Bay Packers | Green Bay | 4 Super Bowl wins (1966, 1967, 1996, 2010) |
| Minnesota Vikings | Minneapolis | 4 NFC Championships |
7. NFC South
| Team | City | Highest Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta | 2 NFC Championships |
| Carolina Panthers | Charlotte | 2 NFC Championships |
| New Orleans Saints | New Orleans | 1 Super Bowl win (2009) |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa | 2 Super Bowl wins (2002, 2020) |
8. NFC West
| Team | City | Highest Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | Glendale | 1 NFL Championship |
| Los Angeles Rams | Los Angeles | 2 Super Bowl wins (1999, 2021) |
| San Francisco 49ers | Santa Clara | 5 Super Bowl wins (1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994) |
| Seattle Seahawks | Seattle | 1 Super Bowl win (2013) |
The NFL season is a carefully structured journey from preseason preparation to the Super Bowl spectacle.
NFL Season Structure
Moving forward, let’s learn about how the NFL structure works. NFL season is a carefully structured journey from preseason preparation to the Super Bowl spectacle. Let’s have a look at how the NFL season unfolds every year.
Preseason
Typically consisting of three games per team, the preseason allows coaches to evaluate players, particularly rookies and free agents, in-game situations. These games are crucial for team development and don’t count toward regular-season standings.
Regular Season
The 17-game regular season spans 18 weeks, with each team having one bye week. Games are primarily played on Sundays, with weekly Thursday night and Monday night games adding to the excitement.
Playoffs Structure
The playoffs involve 14 teams: the winners of each division (8 total) and three wild card teams from each conference. The top seed in each conference receives a first-round bye.
Wild Card System
The wild card system allows non-division winners with the best records to enter the playoffs, ensuring that solid teams in competitive divisions aren’t unfairly excluded from championship contention.
NFL 2024-2025 Schedule
The upcoming NFL season offers a thrilling lineup of domestically and internationally games. From traditional rivalries to global showcases, here’s what fans can expect in the 2024-2025 season
NFL 2024-2025 Game Timings
NFL games follow a consistent schedule throughout the season:
- Sunday afternoon games: 1:00 PM and 4:05/4:25 PM ET
- Sunday Night Football: 8:20 PM ET
- Monday Night Football: 8:15 PM ET
- Thursday Night Football: 8:20 PM ET
Prime-time games include Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Monday Night Football, featuring high-profile matchups.
Domestic Schedule
The bulk of the NFL’s 272 regular-season games will be played across the United States. Here are some key points about the domestic schedule:
- Regular Season: The 18-week season runs from early September to early January, with each team playing 17 games and having one bye week.
- Opening Weekend: The season typically kicks off with a Thursday night game featuring the previous year’s Super Bowl champion, followed by a full slate of Sunday games and a Monday night doubleheader.
- Thanksgiving Games: The traditional Thanksgiving Day games will feature the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys hosting, plus a prime-time evening game.
- Christmas Games: With Christmas falling on a Wednesday in 2024, the NFL is expected to schedule special games on the weekend before or after the holiday.
- Divisional Matchups: Each team plays its three divisional rivals twice (home and away), accounting for six games of their schedule.
- Conference and Inter-Conference Games: The remaining games are a mix of intra-conference and inter-conference matchups, determined by a rotating schedule and the previous year’s standings.
- Flex Scheduling: The NFL reserves the right to “flex” certain Sunday afternoon games into the prime-time slot to ensure the most compelling matchups are showcased in the evening.
The full schedule, including specific dates and times for all games, is typically released in May, several months before the season begins. This allows fans ample time to plan their viewing schedules and potentially arrange travel to attend games in person.
Check out the official NFL 2024-2025 schedule here.
International Schedule
The 2024-2025 NFL schedule features several international games, continuing the league’s global expansion efforts:
- Sau Paulo, Brazil: One game at The Corinthians Arena
- London, England: Two games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, one at Wembley Stadium
- Munich, Germany: One game at Allianz Arena
The exact dates and team matchups for these international games will be announced closer to the season’s start.
What Is The Super Bowl?
The Super Bowl is the NFL’s championship game, pitting the winners of the AFC and NFC against each other in a winner-take-all showdown. It’s not just a game but a cultural phenomenon that transcends sports.
Road To The Super Bowl
Teams battle through the regular season and playoffs for a chance to compete in the Super Bowl. The journey involves winning their division or securing a wild card spot, then progressing through up to three rounds of playoff games.
Super Bowl Mechanics
The game follows standard NFL rules but with extended halftime for the famous halftime show. The winner is crowned NFL champion and awarded the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Recent Super Bowl Winners
- Super Bowl LVIII (2024): Kansas City Chiefs
- Super Bowl LVII (2023): Kansas City Chiefs
- Super Bowl LVI (2022): Los Angeles Rams
- Super Bowl LV (2021): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Super Bowl LIV (2020): Kansas City Chiefs
Most Super Bowl Wins
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers share the record with six Super Bowl victories each.
Host City Selection And Halftime Show
The NFL selects Super Bowl host cities years in advance, considering factors like stadium quality, hotel capacity, and climate. The halftime show has become a spectacle in itself, featuring top musical acts and often generating as much buzz as the game.
How To Watch NFL 2024 – 2025 Season
Fans have more options than ever to watch NFL games, from traditional TV broadcasts to streaming services. Here’s an overview of the leading providers:
| Provider | Type | Free Trial | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBS | TV/Streaming | N/A | AFC games, some playoff games |
| FOX | TV/Streaming | N/A | NFC games, some playoff games |
| NBC | TV/Streaming | N/A | Sunday Night Football |
| ESPN | TV/Streaming | N/A | Monday Night Football |
| NFL Network | TV/Streaming | N/A | Thursday Night Football, exclusive games |
| NFL+ | Streaming | Not offered | Live local and primetime games on mobile |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | Varies | Includes NFL Network and option for NFL RedZone |
| Peacock | Streaming | Not offered | Sunday Night Football, some exclusive games |
| Paramount+ | Streaming | 7 days | AFC games, some playoff games |
| Prime Video | Streaming | 30 days | Thursday Night Football |
Here are more details about the ways you can watch the new NFL season from the comfort of your home:
Watching The NFL on TV/Cable
Traditional television networks remain a popular way to catch NFL action. Here’s a breakdown of the major broadcasters and what they offer:
- CBS: The primary broadcaster for AFC games, CBS offers comprehensive coverage, including regular season matchups, playoff games, and rotating Super Bowl broadcasts. Available through most cable and satellite providers, CBS also streams games through its Paramount+ service.
- FOX: Focusing on NFC games, FOX provides extensive NFL coverage throughout the season. Like CBS, FOX is widely available on cable and satellite and also offers streaming options through its FOX Sports app for authenticated subscribers.
- NBC: Home to Sunday Night Football, one of the most-watched programs on television. NBC’s coverage includes the season opener, the annual Thanksgiving night game, and select playoff matchups. Games can also be streamed through the Peacock service.
- ESPN: The exclusive broadcaster of Monday Night Football, ESPN offers in-depth analysis and commentary alongside its game coverage. Available on most cable and satellite packages, ESPN also streams through its ESPN+ service.
- NFL Network: Owned by the league itself, NFL Network provides around-the-clock NFL coverage, including exclusive Thursday Night Football games and special programming. It’s available on many cable and satellite packages, often as part of sports-centric tiers.
Watching The NFL With Streaming
Streaming services provide flexible options for cord-cutters and tech-savvy fans to watch NFL games. Here’s an overview of the main streaming platforms:
- NFL+: The league’s own streaming service offers live local and primetime games on mobile devices, as well as live out-of-market preseason games on any device. It’s an excellent option for fans who want to watch on the go or don’t need full TV coverage.
- YouTube TV: This comprehensive streaming service includes all the major networks that broadcast NFL games, plus NFL Network. With the NFL Sunday Ticket, subscribers get access to all out-of-market Sunday games, on the devices of your choice.
- Peacock: NBC’s streaming platform offers Sunday Night Football and select exclusive games. It’s a cost-effective option for fans primarily interested in NBC’s NFL coverage.
- Paramount+: CBS’s streaming service provides live streaming of local CBS stations in many markets, making it a good choice for fans of AFC teams.
- ESPN+: While it doesn’t offer live NFL games, ESPN+ provides extensive NFL analysis, highlights, and original programming. It’s a valuable supplement for die-hard fans seeking in-depth coverage.
- Prime Video: Amazon’s streaming service is now the exclusive home of Thursday Night Football, making it a must-have for fans who want to catch every game of the week.
- Sling TV: This flexible streaming service offers packages that include ESPN, NFL Network, and local FOX and NBC stations in some markets. It’s a good option for cord-cutters who want a more traditional TV-like experience.
- Netflix: As a part of a special deal, Netflix is also set to air 2 NFL games on Christmas, scheduled to happen at 1:00 pm between Chiefs vs Steelers and 4:30 PM ET between Ravens vs Texans.
How To Buy NFL Tickets
Securing tickets to an NFL game can be an exciting but sometimes challenging process. Here are some tips to help you get the seats you want:
- Official team websites: Start by checking the official website of the team you want to watch. They often have presale opportunities for season ticket holders and may release tickets to the general public.
- NFL Ticket Exchange: This is the league’s official resale marketplace, offering a secure platform to buy verified tickets.
- Third-party ticket sites: Platforms like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster often have a wide selection of tickets, including resale options.
- Box office: Some tickets may be available directly from the stadium box office, especially closer to game day.
- Season tickets: Die-hard fans should consider investing in season tickets. While expensive, they guarantee your seat for all home games.
- Wait for last-minute deals: If you’re flexible, prices sometimes drop closer to game day as sellers try to offload unsold tickets.
- Join fan clubs: Team fan clubs or mailing lists often get early access to ticket sales.
- Consider preseason games: These are usually cheaper and easier to get tickets for.
Remember to always buy from reputable sources to avoid scams, and be prepared to act quickly when tickets go on sale for popular games.
NFL Watching Guide
For new viewers, understanding the basics of the game is key. Focus on learning the main positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver) and basic strategies (passing vs. running plays).
Pay attention to down and distance, as these dictate much of the game’s flow.
Key stats to follow include:
- Quarterback rating
- Yards per carry (for running backs)
- Receptions and yards (for receivers)
- Sacks and interceptions (for defensive players)
Fantasy football has become an integral part of the NFL experience for many fans. In fantasy football, participants draft real NFL players to create virtual teams, earning points based on those players’ real-game performances.
It’s a great way to deepen your engagement with the sport and learn more about players across the league.
NFL Draft
The NFL Draft is an annual event where teams select new players, primarily from college football. The previous season’s standings determine the draft order, with the worst team picking first.
This system helps maintain competitive balance in the league.
The draft is crucial for team building, allowing franchises to acquire young talent at a relatively low price. Successful drafting can set a team up for years of success, while poor draft choices can hinder progress.
NFL Contracts And Salary Cap
The NFL operates under a salary cap system, which limits the total amount each team can spend on player salaries.
This promotes parity and prevents wealthier teams from simply outspending their competitors.
NFL player contracts are complex, often including signing bonuses, guaranteed money, and performance incentives. The structure of these contracts can significantly impact a team’s salary cap situation for years to come.
Notable NFL Records And Achievements
The NFL’s rich history is filled with remarkable records and achievements. Some notable examples include:
- Career passing yards: Tom Brady (89,214)
- Single-season touchdown passes: Peyton Manning (55)
- Career rushing yards: Emmitt Smith (18,355)
- Single-season receiving yards: Calvin Johnson (1,964)
- Career sacks: Bruce Smith (200)
NFL And Technology
Technology plays an increasingly important role in the NFL. Instant replay allows officials to review and potentially overturn on-field decisions, ensuring greater accuracy in crucial moments.
Advanced player tracking, using RFID chips in shoulder pads, provides teams and fans with detailed statistics on player speed, distance covered, and more. This data is used for strategic analysis and enhances the viewing experience for fans.
NFL Community Involvement
The NFL and its teams are heavily involved in community initiatives. The NFL Foundation supports youth football programs and promotes player health and safety at all levels of the sport.
Individual teams run charitable programs in their local communities, focusing on education, health and wellness, and youth development.
Players often establish their foundations or partner with existing charities to give back to their communities.
More Guides On NFL:
- 5 Best Cable TV Providers For NFL Fans
- How To Watch NFL RedZone In 2024
- 11 Best NFL Streaming Services For 2024
Conclusion: Watch NFL 2024-2025 Season On Your Favorite Streaming Platforms
As the 2024-2025 NFL season approaches, fans have an unprecedented array of options for following their favorite teams and players. Whether you prefer traditional TV broadcasts, streaming services, or a combination, there’s a viewing solution to fit your needs and budget.
From the drama of the regular season to the excitement of the playoffs and the spectacle of the Super Bowl, the NFL offers something for every sports fan. You can tailor your NFL experience to your lifestyle by leveraging the various viewing options available.
As you prepare for the upcoming season, consider exploring different platforms to find the perfect balance of coverage and cost. Remember to check for bundle deals, free trials, and special promotions that can enhance your viewing experience without breaking the bank.
So gear up, pick your preferred viewing method, and prepare for another thrilling year of NFL football. The kickoff is just around the corner!