The NFL has officially released its 2024 schedule, and five teams are notably absent from primetime games: the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Raiders.
This exclusion suggests the league does not expect these franchises to contend this season. The Dolphins finished 7-10 in 2023 but signaled a rebuild with significant offseason roster changes. Meanwhile, the Jets, Titans, Raiders, and Cardinals all posted identical 3-14 records last year.
The Raiders' omission from primetime is particularly surprising. Despite drafting Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, and adding several high-profile free agents, the team is expected to start Kirk Cousins in Week 1. This means Mendoza’s NFL debut may not occur until later in the season.