Black Friday isn’t just about sales and shopping craziness anymore; it has firmly established itself as one of the biggest days on the sports calendar, centered around thrilling football matchups. On this year's Black Friday, which falls on November 29, 2024, fans will be treated to not one but three major sporting events: the much-anticipated NFL game and several college football clashes, giving sports enthusiasts plenty to cheer about following their Thanksgiving feasts.
This year, the Kansas City Chiefs are set to host the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium, kicking off at 3 p.m. ET. This specific matchup of the AFC West rivals is particularly exciting, considering the history between the two teams—just three weeks prior, the Chiefs came away victorious with a 27-20 win over the Raiders. With the Chiefs’ record sitting favorably at 10-1 compared to the Raiders’ struggling performance at 2-9, expectations are high for Patrick Mahomes and company.
For those curious about how to catch the action, the game will be available to stream for free on Amazon Prime. Viewers who are not subscribers can access the game through its 30-day free trial offer. So, if you’ve been holding off on joining the streaming service, now might be the perfect time to tune in and catch the game live!
But what other sporting events are on the schedule for Black Friday? Well, the college football scene is buzzing with action as well, featuring several key games spread throughout the day. Here’s what to expect:
- Oklahoma State at Colorado, Noon ET on ABC
- Minnesota at Wisconsin, Noon ET on CBS
- Miami (Ohio) at Bowling Green, Noon ET on ESPNU
- Ball State at Ohio State, Noon ET on CBS Sports Network
- Navy at East Carolina, Noon ET on ESPN
- No. 11 Boise State vs. Oregon State, Noon ET on Fox
- Mississippi State at No. 16 Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- Liberty vs. Sam Houston, 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
- Utah State at Colorado State, 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1
- Georgia Tech at No. 6 Georgia, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- Nebraska at Iowa, 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
- Utah at UCF, 8 p.m. ET on Fox
This college slate is highlighted by the Egg Bowl between Ole Miss and Mississippi State, two long-standing rivals, which features some playoff-worthy drama. Not to mention, four ranked teams will be competing, making for some high-stakes football action.
Fans have options galore for tuning in—all the games can be streamed via Fubo TV, which offers free trials for new users. The channels include ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and more. Just one game will be exclusive to ESPN+: the Texas State vs. South Alabama game.
Turning back to the NFL, the Chiefs and Raiders highlight the significance of Black Friday as both teams vie for dominance and to stay afloat during this pivotal football season. The Chiefs, boasting one of the league’s most potent offenses led by Mahomes, also have standout talents like tight end Travis Kelce and the recently acquired DeAndre Hopkins doing their part to secure another win.
On the flip side, the Raiders have been scrambling. After struggling to find consistency, they’re expected to start Aidan O'Connell at QB, who has just returned from injury. The young quarterback will look to reverse their fortunes after the Raiders suffered yet another defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos last week.
Interestingly, this game will also have significant betting insights, with the Chiefs favored by 13 points, marking them clear favorites to continue their winning streak against their division rivals.
Meanwhile, the significance of injuries cannot be understated. The Chiefs could see the return of running back Isiah Pacheco, who has been sidelined since Week 2. The Raiders, on the other hand, are dealing with several key injuries as well, including running backs Alexander Mattison and Zamir White, both of whom have been instrumental players but are listed as doubtful.
Fans are advised to keep their TV remotes handy as the day promises to be packed not just with competitive football, but also moments filled with family, friends, and, undoubtedly, some friendly debates over who will take home bragging rights at dinner tables across the nation.
Will the Raiders rise to the occasion and turn their season around on this significant day? Or will Mahomes and the Chiefs continue their march toward playoffs with yet another decisive victory? One thing is certain: Black Friday 2024 will be momentous, not only for shoppers seeking deals but also for sports fans glued to their screens.
