The Prime-Time Predicament: Which NFL Teams Deserve More Shine?
The NFL, a behemoth of broadcast dominance, routinely commands national attention. The numbers don’t lie. In 2024, the league accounted for a staggering two-thirds of the top 100 live event broadcasts. While slightly down from the previous year’s 93%, this still underscores the NFL’s unparalleled ability to draw eyeballs and dominate the airwaves. Yet, beneath the veneer of widespread appeal lies a less-than-equitable distribution of prime-time spotlight.
Despite the parity that reigns in the standings, the playing field is far from level when it comes to prime-time exposure. Familiar brands, teams with established fan bases and a proven track record of drawing viewers, are predictably showered with opportunities to perform under the bright lights. The Dallas Cowboys, the Kansas City Chiefs, and a select few others consistently dominate the standalone windows.
The NFL’s scheduling process, a complex algorithm balancing market size, recent performance, and potential storylines, often results in certain franchises being overlooked. Teams in smaller markets, or those emerging from lackluster seasons, can find themselves on the outside looking in, rarely afforded the chance to showcase their talent on a national stage.
As the NFL schedule is about to be released, here are five teams poised to break through the prime-time barrier, deserving of more featured games this season:
1. Washington Commanders:
The Commanders are entering a new era, one ripe with possibility and intrigue. The departure of Dan Snyder marked a watershed moment for the franchise, ushering in a sense of optimism among long-suffering fans. While initial expectations were tempered, the team’s performance in 2024 exceeded all predictions.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, exhibiting the poise and playmaking ability of a seasoned veteran, quickly ascended to stardom. Head coach Dan Quinn, masterfully orchestrating the team, extracted maximum potential from nearly every position group. The Commanders, against all odds, reached their first NFC title game since 1991, injecting a jolt of excitement into the league.
This offseason, the Commanders continued to bolster their roster, making bold trades to acquire Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil and dynamic wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. These acquisitions signal a clear intention to compete at the highest level. Washington has transformed from a scheduling afterthought to a must-see attraction.
The league should capitalize on the opportunity to showcase Daniels, one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the NFL. The Commanders’ schedule also features compelling matchups against other rising teams led by promising young passers, including the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Denver Broncos. In addition to two divisional battles against the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, the Commanders will face the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium and host the Detroit Lions, providing crucial tests to determine their readiness to compete for the conference crown. Expect the Commanders to become a regular fixture on the prime-time slate.
2. Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings, for the past decade, have been a team of cyclical fortunes, oscillating between contention and mediocrity. They haven’t experienced consecutive playoff appearances since 2008-09. Expecting them to replicate or surpass last season’s 14-win output might seem overly optimistic, especially considering the reins are being handed to a second-year quarterback who missed his entire rookie campaign due to injury. However, head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have embraced this direction, and the league’s schedule-makers should follow suit.
J.J. McCarthy, last year’s No. 10 overall pick, represents the ultimate quarterback wild card for 2025. Despite the uncertainty surrounding him, the Vikings reaffirmed their commitment by allowing Sam Darnold to leave after a career year. Although McCarthy wasn’t the primary offensive engine at Michigan, he led the Wolverines to a national championship and displayed glimpses of untapped potential.
McCarthy’s performance will significantly influence the Vikings’ season, but their fate isn’t solely dependent on an unproven quarterback. O’Connell’s play-calling elevates the team’s floor, and Justin Jefferson’s exceptional talent allows him to excel even in challenging circumstances. Brian Flores’ defense, known for its ability to create chaos, might be considered appointment television.
Last season, the league seemed hesitant to promote the Vikings, initially granting them only two prime-time slots. This time around, such hesitation is unwarranted. The Vikings have earned a wealth of exclusive windows as they navigate what could be the NFL’s most competitive division, the NFC North.
3. Chicago Bears:
The Bears have long been associated with a familiar narrative: good brand, bad football. Despite not having a winning season since 2018, they’ve typically received three or four prime-time games per year. The arrival of No. 1 pick Caleb Williams was supposed to usher in a new era in Chicago. However, a lackluster "Sunday Night Football" performance against the Houston Texans in Week 2 foreshadowed another disappointing campaign, marked by head coach Matt Eberflus’ mid-season firing and a 10-game losing streak.
The latest promise of a fresh start should be met with cautious optimism. However, the extent of the overhaul warrants national attention. Ben Johnson, the architect of the league’s highest-scoring offense, has taken over as head coach and play-caller. The interior offensive line has been completely revamped with veteran acquisitions, providing Williams with significantly improved protection compared to his debut season, where he endured 68 sacks, the third-most by any quarterback in a single season.
Williams will initially focus on mastering Johnson’s system, but the head coach intends to harness the creativity and playmaking ability that made Williams the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and a highly touted prospect.
This presents a tantalizing dilemma for the NFL’s schedule-makers. Scheduling the team in prime time too early might expose a work in progress. Scheduling them later carries the risk of the team being irrelevant in the playoff race. Nonetheless, the team’s intriguing collection of pieces justifies widespread attention. A bump from last year’s three prime-time games seems inevitable.
4. New England Patriots:
While Robert Kraft expressed confidence in moving on from Bill Belichick, the league’s schedule-makers seemed less convinced. Despite the intrigue surrounding the franchise’s new direction after parting ways with a legend, the Patriots’ only prime-time appearance in 2024 was a Week 3 "Thursday Night Football" game against the New York Jets.
Kraft replaced Jerod Mayo with Mike Vrabel in January, and the Patriots underwent a significant roster overhaul after a dismal 4-13 season. Perhaps the league will buy into the Patriots’ second attempt at a rebirth.
Understandably, there’s limited immediate appeal in showcasing an offense that finished in the bottom three for both yards and points in the last two seasons. However, with modest improvements in protection and skill-position support, Drake Maye should be better positioned to display the big-play potential he only occasionally flashed during his challenging rookie year. Josh McDaniels, returning for his third stint as offensive coordinator, albeit under a new staff, will tailor the scheme to Maye’s unique talents.
Kraft is eager for a return to playoff contention, a goal that might be unattainable in Year 1 of the latest reset. However, Vrabel and the new setup will provide a spark that has been absent since Tom Brady’s departure, potentially earning the team at least a second prime-time slot.
5. Carolina Panthers:
Yes, really. The Panthers were the only team excluded from prime time last year, with their Berlin matchup against the New York Giants serving as their sole standalone window. While the Panthers likely won’t generate spiking Nielsen ratings as they try to become competitive, they shouldn’t be completely shunned again.
After enduring a benching early last season, Bryce Young not only regained his starting position but also thrived. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft capitalized on improved protection to become a more assertive and efficient downfield passer. While the underdeveloped receiving corps limited his growth, first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan could help Young continue his ascent by providing him with the jump-ball threat he has lacked.
Limited improvements to a defense that ranked last in yards allowed per play (6.0) and scoring (31.4 points allowed per game) likely leave Carolina ill-equipped for shootouts. However, pitting Young against another promising young quarterback – perhaps the Atlanta Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. or Maye and the Patriots – seems like suitable "Thursday Night Football" fare.
