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NFL Liable for $4.7B in Ruling

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LOS ANGELES – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The NFL plans to appeal a ruling by a federal jury in Los Angeles on Thursday that found the league liable for more than $4.7 billion in damages over antitrust violations related to DirecTV’s “Sunday Ticket” packages.

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The jury, after about five hours of deliberations across two days, voted unanimously that the NFL, DirecTV, CBS and Fox colluded to increase the price of the game packages.

The class-action lawsuit began in 2015 with a complaint filed by a San Francisco sports bar named the Mucky Duck that was dismissed in 2017. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later reinstated the case, which last year became a class action and covered more than 2.4 million residential subscribers and more than 48,000 businesses that purchased DirectTV’s “Sunday Ticket” package of out-of-market games from the 2011 through 2022 seasons.

If the verdict stands, it would award $4.7 billion in damages to the residential class and $96 million to the commercial class.

The damages could increase to up to $12.3 billion due to federal laws that triple the amount in antitrust cases.

“It’s a great verdict for consumers around America that this jury, despite the star power of the defendants, upheld the antitrust laws which are geared to protect consumers from overcharges,” Bill Carmody, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, told the Los Angeles Times. “Justice was served.”

The plaintiffs argued that NFL teams pooling their broadcasts through “Sunday Ticket” on a satellite provider and selling the package at an inflated price violated antitrust laws in restricting competition.

The NFL argued it has an antitrust exemption for broadcasting that covers “Sunday Ticket,” but the plaintiffs contended that applies to over-the-air broadcasts and not pay TV.

“Sunday Ticket” was offered on DirecTV from 1994-2022 before the NFL reached a seven-year contract with Google’s YouTube TV that began in 2023.

The NFL’s attorneys noted that it’s the only major sports league to offer all local games on free, over-the-air TV. They also said that DirecTV controlled the “Sunday Ticket” package pricing, which was often made free to attract subscribers.

“We are disappointed with the jury’s verdict today in the NFL Sunday Ticket class action lawsuit,” the NFL said in a statement. “We continue to believe that our media distribution strategy, which features all NFL games broadcast on free over-the-air television in the markets of the participating teams and national distribution of our most popular games, supplemented by many additional choices including RedZone, Sunday Ticket and NFL+, is by far the most fan friendly distribution model in all of sports and entertainment.

“We will certainly contest this decision as we believe that the class action claims in this case are baseless and without merit. We thank the jury for their time and service and for the guidance and oversight from (U.S. District) Judge (Philip) Gutierrez throughout the trial.”

Gutierrez could ask the league to consider possible structural changes in the “Sunday Ticket” package. The judge will hear post-trial motions on July 31. The league can contend to Gutierrez that the damages are excessive and unreasonable, and it can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and later to the U.S. Supreme Court.

–Field Level Media

Stevenson to Extend Pact with Patriots

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FOXBOROUGH – New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson and the Patriots have agreed to extend his contract for four years and $36 million, including $17 million guaranteed, according to multiple media reports.

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Stevenson, 26, is slated to earn a base salary of $3.116 million in the final year on his rookie contract, which he signed after the Patriots selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. His extension takes him through the 2028 season.

He told reporters earlier this month that the sides were “pretty close” to getting a deal done.

“It’s not frustrating, but it’s just a long process,” he said on June 10. “This is my first time going through it, but just hearing from all the other guys, this is how it goes. It’s a negotiation process, and I’m respecting the process.”

Last season, Stevenson suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 13 and sat out the rest of a 4-13 campaign. In 12 games, he rushed for 619 yards and four touchdowns and caught 38 passes for 238 yards.

In 41 games (21 starts) over three seasons, the 6-foot, 227-pound Oklahoma product has 2,265 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns along with 121 catches for 782 yards and one receiving score.

Stevenson shared the backfield with veteran Ezekiel Elliott last season, but Elliott rejoined the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. This spring, former Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson is in the fold after signing a three-year, $11.25 million deal, but Stevenson remains the starter.

“I think he’s one of the better backs in the league, no doubt about it,” first-year Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said of Stevenson at the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp two weeks ago. “I’m excited to see what he does this season, and look, he’s earned everything that he gets. He is our starting running back and, hopefully, we do get something done.”

–Field Level Media

New England Patriots: Bronze Brady

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots, while inducting the legendary Tom Brady into their Hall of Fame on Wednesday, delivered a few surprises for the retired quarterback.

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Team owner Robert Kraft revealed that the Patriots are retiring Brady’s uniform No. 12 and are commissioning a 12-foot-tall bronze Brady statue that will be installed during the 2024 season.

“(The statue) will stand alone in the plaza outside of the Hall of Fame to symbolize his position, not as the greatest in franchise history, but as the greatest in all of NFL history,” Kraft said.

The ceremony drew a crowd of 60,000 to the Patriots’ home stadium in Foxborough, Mass. on the night of an NBA Finals game featuring the Boston Celtics. The three-hour festivities included appearances by scores of Brady’s former teammates and ex-Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. It was the first time Belichick returned to Foxborough since he resigned at the end of last season.

Brady gave thanks to all, saying, “I am eternally grateful. I am Tom Brady. And I am a Patriot.”

He added of Belichick, “It wasn’t me. It wasn’t you. It was us. … Let me make this crystal clear: There is no coach in the world I would rather play for than Bill Belichick.”

Brady, playing under Belichick, spent 20 years with the Patriots, leading the team to six Super Bowl championships. He later added another title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Belichick, greeted with huge cheers from Patriots fans, said to Brady, “Thank you for all that you’ve done for us. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. And thank you for the example and model you’ve been for all of us on a daily basis for 20 years. Congratulations.”

NFL Releases 2024 Schedule

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Kansas City Chiefs will open the season with a difficult one-two punch as they seek their third Super Bowl championship in a row.

The NFL released its full regular-season schedule on Wednesday night, when the Chiefs got a full look at the challenges in store for them in 2024. They will face Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL’s “Kickoff Game” on Sept. 5, and one week later they will play a Cincinnati Bengals team that has beaten them in six of the past eight regular-season meetings.

Plenty of other tests await the Chiefs, such as a road contest on Oct. 20 against the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl.

In other highlights from the schedule release, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets learned that they will be in prime time six times this season. The Jets’ national slate includes a Week 1 matchup against the 49ers on “Monday Night Football,” another Monday night matchup in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, and a Week 9 game against the Houston Texans on Amazon’s Thursday night schedule.

Rodgers and the Jets also will travel to London, where they will kick off against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The league’s international schedule includes four other matchups. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will face off on Sept. 6 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in what will be the NFL’s first regular-season game to be played in South America.

Two more London games feature the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Chicago Bears on Oct. 13 and the New England Patriots vs. the Jaguars on Oct. 20, and the final international game showcases the New York Giants vs. the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 10 in Munich, Germany.

The NFL again will play three games on Thanksgiving. The action starts with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Bears visiting the Detroit Lions, and it continues with a midafternoon matchup between the Giants and Dallas Cowboys. The nightcap features the Miami Dolphins at Green Bay.

One day later, on “Black Friday,” the Las Vegas Raiders will visit Kansas City. This marks the second year that the NFL has broadcast a game on the day after Thanksgiving.

On Dec. 8, Kirk Cousins will visit a familiar environment when his Atlanta Falcons travel to play the Vikings. Cousins left Minnesota during free agency in the offseason to sign with the Falcons, who guaranteed him $100 million and surprised him weeks later by selecting fellow quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with their first-round draft pick.

The schedule also includes a pair of games on Christmas Day, a Wednesday, that will air on Netflix — a first-time broadcast partnership for the NFL. The streaming service will feature the Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ravens vs. the Texans.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be the first professional sports league to partner with Netflix to bring live games to fans around the world,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL’s executive vice president of media distribution.

–Field Level Media

 

Filed Under: NFL

NFL Team-by-Team Schedules

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NFL team-by-team 2024 schedules. All times ET

Arizona Cardinals 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Washington Commanders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 6, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Mon), vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 9 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Chicago Bears, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. New York Jets, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Los Angeles Rams, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. San Francisco 49ers, time TBA

Atlanta Falcons 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 16 (Mon), at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Oct. 3 (Thu), vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Mon), at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Washington Commanders, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Carolina Panthers, time TBA

Baltimore Ravens 2024 Schedule
Sept. 5 (Thu), at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Mon), at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 (Thu), vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 25 (Mon), at Los Angeles Chargers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 15, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Sat), vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Wed), at Houston Texans, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Cleveland Browns, time TBA

Buffalo Bills 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Sept. 12 (Thu), at Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Mon), vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 14 (Mon), at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at New England Patriots, time TBA

Carolina Panthers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Washington Commanders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. New York Giants, 9:30 am
Nov. 24, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Atlanta Falcons, time TBA

Chicago Bears 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 am
Oct. 27, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), at Detroit Lions, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 8, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Mon), at Minnesota Vikings, 8 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Dec. 26 (Thu), vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Green Bay Packers, time TBA

Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Mon), vs. Wash Commanders, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at New York Giants, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 (Thu), at Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 9 (Mon), at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 19 (Thu), vs. Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Denver Broncos, time TBA
Jan. 5, at Pittsburgh Steelers, time TBA

Cleveland Browns 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Nov. 21 (Thu), vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 2 (Mon), at Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Dec. 19 (Thu), at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Baltimore Ravens, time TBA

Dallas Cowboys 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 26 (Thu), at New York Giants, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 27, at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 18 (Mon), vs. Houston Texans, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), vs. New York Giants, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 9 (Mon), vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Washington Commanders, time TBA

Denver Broncos 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 17 (Thu), at New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 2 (Mon), vs. Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Cincinnati Bengals, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, time TBA

Detroit Lions 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 30 (Mon), vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), vs. Chicago Bears, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 (Thu), vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Dec. 30 (Mon), at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Minnesota Vikings, time TBA

Green Bay Packers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 6 (Fri), at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 5 (Thu), at Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 23 (Mon), vs. New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Chicago Bears, time TBA

Houston Texans 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 (Thu), at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 18 (Mon), at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Sat), at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Wed), vs. Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Tennessee Titans, time TBA

Indianapolis Colts 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at New York Jets, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at New York Giants, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, time TBA

Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Mon), at Buffalo Bills, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Chicago Bears, 9:30 am
Oct. 20, vs. New England Patriots, 9:30 am
Oct. 27, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Indianapolis Colts, time TBA

Kansas City Chiefs 2024 Schedule
Sept. 5 (Thu), vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Atlanta Falcons, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 7 (Mon), vs. New Orleans Saints, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 4 (Mon), vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 29 (Fri), vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 3 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Sat), vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Wed), at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Denver Broncos, time TBA

Las Vegas Raiders 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Cleveland Browns, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 29 (Fri), at Kansas City Chiefs, 3 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Mon), vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 29, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, time TBA

Los Angeles Chargers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Mon), at Arizona Cardinals, 9 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 25 (Mon), vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 29, at New England Patriots, time TBA
Jan. 5, at Las Vegas Raiders, time TBA

Los Angeles Rams 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 24 (Thu), vs. Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 11 (Mon), vs. Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 17, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 1, at New Orleans Saints, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 12 (Thu), at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 22, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Arizona Cardinals, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Seattle Seahawks, time TBA

Miami Dolphins 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Sept. 12 (Thu), vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 30 (Mon), vs. Tennessee Titans, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Nov. 11 (Mon), at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), at Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Cleveland Browns, 8:20 p.m.
Jan. 5, at New York Jets, time TBA

Minnesota Vikings 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. New York Jets, 9:30 am
Oct. 20, vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Oct. 24 (Thu), at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Mon), vs. Chicago Bears, 8 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Detroit Lions, time TBA

New England Patriots 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m.
Sept. 19 (Thu), at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 9:30 am
Oct. 27, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, time TBA
Jan. 5, vs. Buffalo Bills, time TBA

New Orleans Saints 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Oct. 7 (Mon), at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 17 (Thu), vs. Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 23 (Mon), at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, time TBA

New York Giants 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 (Thu), vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Oct. 28 (Mon), at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Carolina Panthers, 9:30 am
Nov. 24, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 28 (Thu), at Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Indianapolis Colts, time TBA
Jan. 5, at Philadelphia Eagles, time TBA

New York Jets 2024 Schedule
Sept. 9 (Mon), at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Sept. 19 (Thu), vs. New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, at Minnesota Vikings, 9:30 am
Oct. 14 (Mon), vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 27, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 (Thu), vs. Houston Texans, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Miami Dolphins, time TBA

Philadelphia Eagles 2024 Schedule
Sept. 6 (Fri), vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 16 (Mon), vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 22, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Cincinnati Bengals, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 14 (Thu), vs. Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Los Angeles Rams, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Baltimore Ravens, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. New York Giants, time TBA

Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. New York Jets, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 28 (Mon), vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Nov. 21 (Thu), at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 21 (Sat), at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 25 (Wed), vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, time TBA

San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 9 (Mon), vs. New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. New England Patriots, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 10 (Thu), at Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 12 (Thu), vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Miami Dolphins, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 30 (Mon), vs. Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Arizona Cardinals, time TBA

Seattle Seahawks 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 15, at New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:05 p.m.
Sept. 30 (Mon), at Detroit Lions, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. New York Giants, 4:25 p.m.
Oct. 10 (Thu), vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Buffalo Bills, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
Nov. 17, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 26 (Thu), at Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m.
Jan. 5, at Los Angeles Rams, time TBA

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 15, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Oct. 3 (Thu), at Atlanta Falcons, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 13, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 (Mon), vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4 (Mon), at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. New Orleans Saints, time TBA

Tennessee Titans 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Sept. 22, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
Sept. 30 (Mon), at Miami Dolphins, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
Oct. 27, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 17, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
Jan. 5, vs. Houston Texans, time TBA

Washington Commanders 2024 Schedule
Sept. 8, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 15, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 (Mon), at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 29, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 6, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Oct. 20, vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 27, vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Nov. 10, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.
Nov. 14 (Thu), at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m.
Nov. 24, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Dec. 1, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 15, at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Dec. 22, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.
Dec. 29, vs. Atlanta Falcons, time TBA
Jan. 5, at Dallas Cowboys, time TBA

It’s an NFL Christmas

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Treading further into territory once reserved for NBA broadcasts, the NFL plans to continue airing games on Christmas Day beyond the 2024 doubleheader on Netflix announced.

NFL Vice President of Media Hans Schroeder said Thursday the league already has outlined plans for Christmas games in 2025 and 2026. Since Christmas is on a Saturday in 2027, it’s a near certainty regular-season games will be played that day, too.

“Amazon will have their traditional Thursday night game in primetime on Christmas on Thursday next year, and we’ll have another game on Netflix in the afternoon,” Schroeder said on a conference call discussing the league schedule for the 2024 season released Wednesday.

“Netflix will have a game on Friday the year after that (2026). We’ll use how we think about ’25 to form how we go into ’26.”

With Christmas falling on a Wednesday in 2024, the four teams involved were scheduled for Saturday games the week before to emulate the Saturday-to-Thursday game week schedule.

Traditionally, the NBA is the only game competing for airtime with a scarce sports broadcast schedule on Christmas Day. After ratings showed sincere interest from fans in Christmas games in 2023, the NFL claims it decided to commit to more in future seasons.

All three games had more than 27 million viewers according to Nielsen, ratings that piqued the interest of the NFL. The games were peeled out of the full network broadcast agreements and Netflix reportedly bid $75 million for each of its three holiday games.

VP of Broadcast Mike North said the NFL “wasn’t thinking about” scheduling on Christmas 2024 at this time last year.

“When you saw the viewership numbers for Christmas for the tripleheader last year, and the tripleheader the year before — I think it’s four of the last five years that we’ve played on Christmas — the fans have spoken,” North said. “They want the games there and our broadcast partners want the games there.”

–Field Level Media

Patriots Name Eliot Wolf as EVP Football

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots named Eliot Wolf their executive vice president of player personnel on Saturday. Wolf, 42, has 20 seasons of NFL experience, including the last four as director of scouting for the Patriots. His duties will include overseeing the personnel department, managing the salary cap and control of the 53-man roster.

The Patriots also have a first-year head coach in Jerod Mayo.

“As I have stated multiple times during the offseason, the plan was to observe the working relationship and involvement between Eliot and Jerod and see how they managed our offseason personnel decisions,” Patriots CEO Robert Kraft said in a prepared statement. “Then, following the draft we would formally undertake a process for setting up the permanent structure of our personnel department.

“I have been impressed with Eliot’s management style and experience and I’m excited that he has agreed to take on this new position.”

Wolf previously spent time with the Green Bay Packers (2004-17) and Cleveland Browns (2018-19). He was assistant general manager with the Browns.

“It is an honor to accept this position with the New England Patriots,” Wolf said. “I am grateful to the Kraft family for this opportunity and want to thank my family, especially my wife and children, for the support and strength they have given me as I move forward in my new role. I also want to thank all of the people I have worked with and learned from over the years.”

Wolf is the son of former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

–Field Level Media

Patriots: Maye Putting In the Work

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England Patriots rookies – head coach Jerod Mayo and quarterback Drake Maye – spent a good deal of time together the past two days at the team’s rookie camp, with Mayo taking a level approach in his initial reviews.

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“Early impressions of Drake?” Mayo said Saturday. “He has a lot to work on. But I have no doubt he’ll put the work in.”

Maye, the Patriots’ first-round pick (No. 3 overall) from North Carolina, has not yet been named the starter but that’s widely expected to come this summer.

Until then, Mayo will watch closely and continue to challenge the 21-year-old quarterback.

“He has a lot to work on. A lot to work on …,” Mayo continued. “He was here all night trying to get on the same page as everyone else.”

While “all night” might be a stretch, Mayo underscored the importance of spending quality time with his rookies.

“We’ll be here ‘til 7, 8, 9 o’clock,” he said. “Go in for a lift, then we have some meetings.

“The best thing about mini-camp is being around the guys for the first time. We’re at the hotel together. We’re right across the hallway from each other, so we’ll watch the film and look at the scripts for the next day together. We’ve got nothing else to do up here. Why not focus on football?”

Among Maye’s future targets, wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk spoke highly when asked for his evaluation of Maye.

“Guy can sling it,” said Polk, New England’s second-round selection. “Very confident and vocal. He’s a leader.

“He’s setting the tone in practice, trying to get guys moving around and operating at a high level. This is new to all of us. We’re still learning and trying to get to know each other so everybody can get on the same page.”

Much of Maye’s early work centered on fundamentals.

“I’m trying out two new stances that I’m getting used to,” he said. “Just getting more reps at it. Footwork is huge. It’s something that’s not easy.”

Along with Mayo, Maye will lean on Mayo as well as New England offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, offensive assistant coach Ben McAdoo and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney.

“T.C. is talking to us during the meetings,” Maye said, “Coach Van Pelt will chime in when he needs to. (McAdoo) is awesome. All three of them know a lot of football.”

-Field Level Media

Slye and the Patriots Family

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FOXBOROUGH – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Kicker Joey Slye agreed to terms on a contract with the New England Patriots, said multiple reports Thursday. Slye, who was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday, is expected to provide competition for Chad Ryland in New England.

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Ryland, 24, made just 64 percent of his field-goal attempts (16 of 25) during his rookie season for the Patriots. He was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Slye didn’t spend long in Jacksonville, as he signed with the club on March 18.

Slye, 28, converted 19 of 24 field goals and 32 of 35 extra points in 17 games for the Washington Commanders last season. He has made 82.3 percent of his field goals and just 88.5 percent of his PATs across five seasons with four teams.

–Field Level Media

WINNERS & LOSERS in the NFL DRAFT

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DETROIT – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Instant reaction to NFL draft selections is dangerous territory, but we’re running with the Bears while we have the chance.

Chicago comes out of Thursday with two of the top seven players in the Field Level Media Top 100 rankings. The Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams first overall and paired him with polished pass catcher Rome Odunze, the Washington wide receiver picked ninth overall.

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Not every team was blessed with the same great fortune on Thursday night but have a chance to shift the narrative around the following flash reactions Friday and Saturday.

WINNERS
Minnesota Vikings
–Drafted QB J.J. McCarthy 10th, DE Dallas Turner 17th
When the offseason began with Kirk Cousins waving goodbye, the Vikings were left reeling for only a moment. Minnesota struck early and often in free agency and acquired a second first-round pick from the Houston Texans to be in position to attempt a 1-2 punch in the first round capable of setting the foundation for the franchise for years to come.

“As excited as our fans are, they can know that J.J. McCarthy really wanted to be a Minnesota Viking and he can’t wait to get here and get to work,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said.

Seattle Seahawks
–Drafted DT Byron Murphy II 16th overall
As Aaron Donald is ushered out of the NFC West, the Seahawks sit tight and let one of the top players on their draft board fall into their laps. Murphy is a freakish athlete and fits at multiple positions in the varied fronts of new head coach Mike Macdonald.

“It’s a dream come true. I don’t know too much about Seattle, but I heard it rains a lot,” Murphy said Thursday night from his draft party in Dallas.

Arizona Cardinals
–Drafted Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. 4th, Missouri DE Darius Robinson 27th
Twenty years and a day since Arizona selected Larry Fitzgerald Jr. No. 3 overall, they hit it big again.

Harrison Jr. might be the best player in the draft — he was ranked No. 1 by multiple teams — but QB need was undeniable for the teams at the top in 2024. Harrison Jr. is bigger and faster than most expect, and Ohio State felt he was elite in other areas — work ethic and leadership.

Robinson was a defensive end but his skill set projects well to multiple positions on the defensive line, a major need for the Cardinals. He’ll help the overall defense and upgrade the pass rush.

Jacksonville Jaguars
–Drafted LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. 23rd
Thomas runs pristine routes and led the nation in touchdowns, representing a well-played mulligan for Jacksonville following the botched free agency negotiations with Calvin Ridley.

Detroit Lions
–Drafted CB Terrion Arnold 24th
One of the most maligned draft picks of the first round last year? Easily the Lions selecting Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who turned into an ideal playmaker after a slow start. And second-round safety Brian Branch was described as the “heartbeat of the defense” by Dan Campbell. So why not take a swing for a No. 1 corner from the Crimson Tide? It took a trade up in a swap with the Cowboys. But Arnold is legit, ranked as high as No. 10 and projected to be the first cornerback off the board far earlier than this point in the draft.

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LOSERS
Atlanta Falcons
–Drafted Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. 8th
Penix was a fringe first-round pick and the Falcons spent serious capital — $180 million over four years — to lure Kirk Cousins in free agency and fix their QB concerns. Now they’ve created friction without addressing major needs on the roster, including almost every defensive position.

“I feel like there’s definitely something special going on over there in Atlanta,” Penix said.

Cousins leaned on Aaron Rodgers for advice and benchmarks to check in his recovery from a torn Achilles this season. Now Cousins finds himself in a situation eerily similar to the position Rodgers was in when the Packers drafted Jordan Love 26th overall in 2020.

Denver Broncos
–Drafted Oregon QB Bo Nix 12th
The sixth of six first-round quarterbacks selected, Denver bought the end of the run rather than taking better value with their choice of the top edge, cornerback, safety, linebacker and one remaining blue-chip talent — Georgia tight end Brock Bowers — a boom-or-bust roll of the dice brings Nix to a QB room in Denver that includes Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.

–Field Level Media