When Does the NFL Season Start in 2024?

The 2024 NFL season is shaping up to be an unforgettable one for fans, especially in Canada.

With new storylines, evolving teams, new NFL betting sites and some iconic franchises on the rise, there’s no better time to dive into the action.

What Will You Find on This Page?

Welcome to your go-to hub for everything NFL this season! We’ve got all the info you need to stay in the loop.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s covered:

• NFL Season Start: Find the kickoff date and key matchups
• Season Format: Learn about the 17-game schedule and its impact
• Top NFL Matchups in 2024: Highlighting the must-watch games
• What’s New in 2024?: Discover the latest rule changes
• 2024 vs. 2022 Season: Key differences between 2022 and 2024
• Watching the NFL in Canada: Explore the best viewing options
• Ready for Kickoff: Get involved with fantasy football and more
• FAQs: Quick answers to common season questions

When Does the NFL Season Start in 2024?

Mark your calendars! The 2024 NFL season kicked off on Thursday, September 5, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of the 2023 AFC Championship game.

This prime-time clash between Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson got the season off to an electrifying start.

The preseason, which began in early August, gave teams a chance to fine-tune their strategies and evaluate rookies like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr.

How Many Games in the 2024 NFL Season?

Each team will play 17 regular-season games across 18 weeks, a format introduced in 2021.

This extra game can be a game-changer for teams, adding pressure to stay competitive until the very end.

The structure of the season is simple: each team gets one bye week, allowing for some much-needed rest and recovery during the gruelling schedule.

With 17 regular season games instead of 16, the stakes are raised higher, and teams need to be strategic not just about how they start the season but also how they maintain momentum through the middle and end of the schedule.

That 17th game can determine whether your team makes the playoffs or misses out, especially in tight divisions.

For example, in 2023, teams like the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills used that extra game to secure first place in their divisions.

For teams with depth or injury issues, such as the Colts and Jaguars, that extra game became a tough hurdle.

As a fan, this extra game means more storylines, more comeback victories, and more chances for underdog teams to shine.

Must-Watch NFL Matchups in 2024

The 2024 NFL season is packed with must-watch games, especially for Canadian fans, with a mix of rivalries, intense Sunday afternoon games, high-profile matchups and even an international game or two.

Here are some of the highlights:

📌 New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers (September 9)

To cap off week 1 of the 2024 NFL schedule, we have Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets’ highly anticipated return in prime-time against the NFC West’s San Francisco 49ers.

The team plays not only on Monday night, but Rodgers will have a chance to prove that he’s still got it against his childhood team.

📌 Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers (October 20)

A rematch of Super Bowl LVIII that went down to the last second, this is easily one of the best games on the NFL 2024 season schedule.

Will Mahomes and the Chiefs assert their dominance once again? Or can Brock Purdy take another step forward to dismantle the kings of football?

📌 Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs (November 17)

The Buffalo Bills are arguably the most popular NFL team in Canada, thanks to their proximity to the border.

The Kansas City Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl champs and the Bills’ biggest rival.

This AFC clash is always intense, and fans will be eager to see if quarterback Josh Allen can guide the Bills to what could be a crucial victory late in the season.

📌 Baltimore Ravens vs. Los Angeles Chargers (November 25)

Over a decade since the “Harbaugh Bowl,” we now have the return of Jim against John’s Super Bowl-caliber Ravens.

Can Jim’s Chargers pull off the upset against Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and company? Or will the Ravens prove to be the real deal?

This is easily one of the most exciting late-season games.

📌 Thanksgiving Games (November 28)

Canadian viewers love to tune into American Thanksgiving football, and this year’s slate includes three huge games:

• Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – A historic NFC North rivalry.
• New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – One of the NFL’s biggest divisional rivals.
• Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers – Another intriguing matchup, with both teams pushing for playoff spots.

What’s New in The 2024 NFL Regular Season?

The NFL regular season will run for 18 weeks, with each team playing 17 games.

This format, which was introduced in 2021, extends the season by an extra game compared to the previous 16-game NFL schedule.

This extended schedule brings more marquee matchups and more chances for teams to fight for playoff spots.

New rules for 2024 also promise to shake things up:

• Kickoff Rule Adjustments: Changes to the kickoff procedure are designed to increase safety while encouraging more returns, making the play more dynamic and unpredictable.
• Hip-Drop Tackle Ban: This dangerous tackle has been banned to protect players from severe leg injuries, leading to shifts in defensive strategies.
• Replay and Challenge Adjustments: Coaches can now get a third challenge if they win one of their first two, and certain plays, like game clock violations, are now reviewable.

How Does the 2024 Season Compare to 2022?

The 2024 NFL season has several differences compared to 2022, highlighting the league’s evolving landscape. Here’s how the two seasons stack up:

Teams Better Adjust to 17-Game Format

The noticeable difference is the continuation of the 17-game regular season over 18 weeks, which was introduced in 2021 and was present in both 2022 and 2024.

What makes 2024 unique is how teams are adjusting to this longer NFL schedule. Coaches now have more experience managing player workloads, ensuring their rosters stay competitive late into the season​.

Key Star Players Shift in 2024 as New Faces Emerge

In 2022, the league still felt the impact of players like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers leading their teams.

By 2024, many of these familiar names have either retired or moved into new roles, leaving space for younger stars like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson to further solidify themselves as the faces of the NFL.

What makes it even more exciting is the growing presence of Canadian talent in the NFL. Players like Chase Brown (London, ON), Chase Claypool (Abbotsford, BC), Jevon Holland (Coquitlam, BC), Chuba Hubbard (Edmonton, AB), and Josh Palmer (Ottawa, ON) are making waves in the league.

Canadian Players Make a Bigger Impact in 2024

While 2022 saw Canadians like Chase Claypool make headlines, the influence of Canadian players in the NFL has only grown by 2024.

With more Canadians making rosters and having an impact on their teams, this has drawn more attention from fans across Canada.

New 2024 Rules: Kickoff and Tackle Changes

The 2024 season also brings several new rule changes, like adjustments to the kickoff rule and the ban on hip-drop tackles, aimed at increasing player safety.

These changes weren’t in place in 2022, and they could reshape strategies for teams, especially on special teams and defence​.

Where Can You Watch the NFL in Canada in 2024?

In 2024, fans have several options to watch NFL in Canada, whether through traditional TV or streaming services.

DAZN remains a go-to option for Canadians, offering NFL Game Pass, which provides access to the NFL network and every game of the season, both live and on demand.

DAZN’s Game Pass covers:

• all regular season games,
• international games, playoffs,
• and even the Super Bowl.

This platform is a top choice for fans wanting comprehensive coverage without missing any action​.

TSN and CTV offer a more traditional route, with TSN broadcasting select games throughout the season, including: Monday Night Football, and CTV covering the popular Sunday afternoon matchups.

French-language broadcasts can be found on RDS (Réseau des sports), providing live coverage for Francophone viewers​.

For a more mobile-friendly option, the Yahoo Sports app and the NFL app both stream select prime-time games, including:

• international games,
• Thursday Night Football,
• the Monday Night Football game
• and the Sunday Night game

free of charge on mobile devices.

These apps are great when you want to catch any time your team plays while on the go.

With these options, Canadian fans can easily keep up with the 2024 NFL season, whether they prefer traditional TV broadcasts or modern streaming platforms.

How I Verified the NFL 2024 Season Details

To ensure that all the information in this article is accurate, I personally gathered and cross-checked data from reliable sources.

I made sure to validate facts like the start date of the 2024 NFL season, new rule changes, key matchups, and the influence of Canadian players.

By referencing official NFL reports and respected sports outlets, I ensured the content is current and trustworthy.

Here are the sources I used:

• • When Does the 2024 NFL Season Start? Dates, Times, How To Watch, Schedule, and More – Pro Football Network​
  • 2024 NFL Schedule Announce – NFL Football Operations​
  • Full NFL schedule 2024: Dates, times, TV channels for all 272 games, week by week – Sporting News