2024 NFL season

2024 NFL season
Year	2024
Regular season	September 5, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Playoffs start	January 11, 2025
Super bowl	LIX
Super bowl date	February 9, 2025
Super bowl site	Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Probowl date	February 2, 2025
Probowl site	Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida

2024 NFL season The 2024 season is the 105th season of the National Football League (NFL) and the 58th of the Super Bowl era. The campaign commenced on September 5, 2024, and will culminate with Super Bowl LIX at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The league's 32 franchises will compete under a 17-game regular season format, with the postseason expanding to include an additional wild card team from each conference.

Schedule and format

The league's scheduling formula, ratified in the 2021 collective bargaining agreement, remains in effect, with each team playing 17 games over an 18-week period. The season opened with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of the previous season's AFC Championship Game. Key international games include contests in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium, as well as a match in Munich at the Allianz Arena. The regular season concludes on January 5, 2025, with all final-week matchups being intra-divisional contests as per the NFL scheduling formula. The Thanksgiving Day slate features traditional hosts the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, alongside a prime-time game.

Teams and standings

The league's structure comprises two conferences—the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC)—each containing 16 teams divided into four divisions. Notable offseason changes included Jim Harbaugh taking over as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and Kirk Cousins signing a major contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The AFC North, featuring the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Ravens, and Pittsburgh Steelers, is widely considered one of the most competitive divisions. In the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers aim to return to the Super Bowl, while the New York Jets anticipate the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers from an Achilles tendon injury.

Regular season highlights

The season's narrative was immediately shaped by the debut of several highly-touted rookie quarterbacks, including Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. The pursuit of the single-season passing touchdown record, held by Peyton Manning, became a focal point for stars like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Historic rivalry games, such as the Packers–Bears rivalry and the Cowboys–Eagles rivalry, delivered dramatic moments. The league also continued to emphasize player safety with the enforcement of stricter rules on roughing the passer and the use of the Guardian Cap during practice sessions.

Playoffs

The postseason field expanded to 14 teams, with each conference sending its four division winners and three wild-card teams. The playoff bracket is seeded one through seven in each conference, with only the top-seeded team from the AFC and NFC receiving a first-round bye. The wild-card round is scheduled for January 11-13, 2025, followed by the divisional round and the conference championship games on January 26, 2025. The playoffs will conclude at the Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025, with the victors of the AFC and NFC championship games competing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Statistical leaders

The race for the NFL Most Valuable Player Award is heavily influenced by statistical performance. Passing leaders typically include elite quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson of the Ravens and Joe Burrow of the Bengals. The rushing title often features standouts such as Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers and Derrick Henry, now with the Ravens. On defense, players like T.J. Watt of the Steelers and Micah Parsons of the Cowboys contend for the sack leadership. Special teams contributions are measured by the accuracy of kickers like Justin Tucker and the return prowess of players like KaVontae Turpin of the Cowboys.

Awards and honors

The season's top performers will be recognized at the annual NFL Honors ceremony held in Las Vegas prior to the Super Bowl. The most coveted individual award is the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award, with other major honors including the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, and the AP NFL Coach of the Year Award. The Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year Award will highlight first-year standouts, while the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes exceptional community service. All-Pro teams, selected by the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America, denote the best players at each position.

Category:National Football League seasons Category:2024 in American football