3 NFL teams who deserve more primetime games on 2024 schedule, and 2 who don’t

The NFL is releasing the schedules of all 32 teams for the 2024 season this week, and we can assume the usual teams will have the large majority of primetime games. The Chiefs, 49ers, Eagles, Bills, Bengals, and Cowboys will probably be all over your primetime schedule most of this year.

However, there are more teams outside of that crew, some that haven’t been on multiple primetime games very much. As we turn a new leaf into the 2024 season, these are the teams we want to see more of on primetime television and some teams that might want to stay away from the limelight.

The Colts are on the verge of becoming one of the NFL’s best teams. With an exciting, young offensive core of players such as Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor, plus Shane Steichen calling plays, they should be exciting to watch on that side of the ball. Defensively, they have a really good defensive line led by DT Deforest Buckner, and LB Zaire Franklin is one of the most underrated defensive players in the game.

The big chip the Colts have for more primetime games is the young QB. Anthony Richardson missed most of the Colts season due to injury, but when he was 100% healthy, he was capable of making big time plays downfield. A fully healthy Richardson plus the skill position talent and playcalling they already have should put them on the docket for more primetime games this year.

QB Jordan Love is quickly becoming a must-see player for the Packers. Love made a jump into the top half of NFL quarterback play through the completion of high difficulty throws and aggression downfield. With another offseason as the unquestioned starter, Love’s play should skyrocket. In addition, the Packers have a young and exciting wide receiver group that grew along with the young QB as the season went on. Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur is one of the best playcallers in the game, another major selling point for more primetime games. Being one of the most historic teams in the NFL also is a feather in the cap.

Fighting for some shine in a loaded NFC West, the Cardinals spent the first quarter of 2023 looking like one of the worst teams of the NFL. However, after QB Kyler Murray returned, the Cardinals began to look like one of the more intriguing teams for the future. Again, it’s the offense that takes most of the shine here. Murray, TE Trey McBride, and rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. give fans something to look for when the Cardinals play. Murray plays really exciting football, and if Harrison Jr. can be the outside receiver we all think he can be, then the Cardinals should be extremely exciting.

Defensively, the team is still slowly coming along, but safety Budda Baker is still a very fun player to watch. With Murray running around throwing passes to Harrison Jr., this will be one of the most fun teams to watch this year.

Although the Steelers have retooled their offense, they’re still going to be starting Russell Wilson in 2024. This might be the last chance Wilson has to see some modicum of success, but if 2023 Wilson is the guy the Steelers get, then I’m not sure if I want to see the Steelers much on primetime tv. The defense might be good again, which is going to be a major selling point, but man I don’t know if I want to watch more Russell Wilson.

Look man, I’m good on seeing the New Orleans Saints on primetime tv. While the defense is going to hold them over for 2024, I can’t get behind Derek Carr for another year behind an offensive line that might have more questions than answers at this point. Chris Olave is awesome, though!