Fans hoping for another round of "Thursday Night Football" during Week 18 of the NFL will be disappointed as there are no pro matchups scheduled for January 2, 2025. The NFL season wraps up on Saturday and Sunday with important playoff seeding scenarios, which is why the league avoids scheduling any Thursday games during the last week.
According to NBC Sports, "There is no 'Thursday Night Football' game this week because Thursday night games are only scheduled through Week 17." The last Thursday night contest occurred on December 26, 2024, when the Seattle Seahawks faced off against the Chicago Bears. This was the culmination of Amazon Prime's exclusive coverage of Thursday games for the third consecutive season.
The NFL aims to maintain fairness among teams amid the postseason atmosphere. "Playing a Thursday night game in Week 18 could give teams an unfair advantage or disadvantage heading to the postseason," USA Today noted. The league's decision ensures all teams are on level ground as they enter the playoff contention phase.
Even with no Thursday night action, there's plenty for fans to look forward to this weekend. Starting with two games on Saturday, January 4, the Baltimore Ravens will host the Cleveland Browns at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:00 p.m. ET. These games present playoff scenarios and hold significance for both teams, adding to the excitement of the NFL's final regular-season weekend. All games will be accessible on ESPN and ABC.
On Sunday, January 5, 2025, the rest of the league will take to the field with 14 contests, ensuring ample football for fans eagerly anticipating who will clinch their respective playoff spots. This extensive lineup also includes important division matchups and teams vying for wild card berths. Fan favorites, like the Carolina Panthers versus the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles, will keep the viewers on the edge of their seats.
Despite no Thursday night matchup, the NFL's scheduling leaves fans no shortage of action, paving the way for thrilling matchups and possible playoff scenarios leading to the postseason kick-off on January 11, 2025.
Although fans will miss the weekly rhythm of Thursday Night Football, they can look forward to the remaining Saturday and Sunday games, which will undoubtedly feature intense competition as teams fight for their playoff lives.
With only one week left, fans and players alike can feel the anticipation building as the regular season draws to a close. So gear up for what promises to be an electrifying finish to the NFL season!