nfl officials assignments week 1

NCAA and NFL Referee news

Thursday, Sep. 9

• Cowboys at Buccaneers —  Shawn Hochuli

Sunday, Sep. 12

• Jaguars at Texans  —  Land Clark
• Chargers at Washington  —  Alex Kemp
• Seahawks at Colts  —  Tony Corrente
• Jets at Panthers  —  Clay Martin
• Vikings at Bengals  —  Adrian Hill
• Cardinals at Titans  —  Jerome Boger
• 49ers at Lions  —  Brad Rogers
• Steelers at Bills  —  John Hussey
• Eagles at Falcons  —  Scott Novak
• Browns at Chiefs  —  Bill Vinovich
• Packers at Saints  —  Carl Cheffers
• Broncos at Giants  —  Ron Torbert
• Dolphins at Patriots  —  Clete Blakeman
• Bears at Rams —  Brad Allen

Monday, Sep. 13

• Ravens at Raiders —  Shawn Smith

NFL Week 1 officiating trends: Finding edges in Buccaneers-Vikings, 49ers-Steelers, Raiders-Broncos

NFL bettors love to complain about officiating, even claiming some games are fixed. Truth is, refs are human and make mistakes. But they also have tendencies: Points of emphasis worth factoring into your handicapping. This season, Joe Gibbs (not the Hall of Fame coach, the NFL referee expert who tweets @NFLrefstats) is collaborating with SportsLine to provide weekly officiating angles. NFL referee assignments come out every Tuesday. That's when officiating gurus like Gibbs start analyzing who benefits.

Before you make any Week 1  NFL picks  or NFL parlays, you need to see what Gibbs and SportsLine senior analyst Larry Hartstein have to say about trends involved with this week's officiating crews.

A former lead writer for Covers and The Linemakers, Hartstein combines a vast network of Vegas sources with an analytical approach he honed working for Pro Football Focus. Larry tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS. Those selections formed the basis of his SportsLine NFL best bets, which finished 36-26-1 last season.

Now, Hartstein has enlisted the help of Gibbs to find three key games where the officiating is crucial to figuring out how to play each game.

We can tell you one edge Harstein and Gibbs have identified involves the Buccaneers-Vikings game, which will be officiated by Scott Novak. Home teams had an extreme trend against the spread last when Novak is officiating, that is indicative of his career as an NFL referee over a sample of 63 games.

Hartstein has also shared two other trends involving the 49ers-Steelers and Raiders-Broncos games. You need to see this key officiating data before locking in your picks!

So which side of Buccaneers-Vikings has the edge ? And what other officiating edges can be found on the Week 1 slate ? ... Join SportsLine right now to see Larry Hartstein's Week 1 NFL officiating trends, all from the expert who went 53-34-3 in the SuperContest last year !

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NFL Referee Assignment for Super Bowl 58 & Impact on NFL Betting

We tend to only focus on NFL referees after a controversial decision or bad no-call. Yet each head NFL referee and his respective crew interprets the game differently.

Gaining insight into the way a game will be officiated can have immense value in the betting market.

A referee who calls more penalties for defensive holding and roughing the passer has a far different impact on game flow than a ref who focuses more on offensive holding and false starts.

Referee style one week may hide a team’s weakness (defensive backs), but a different official who leans heavily on calling pass interference will compound that weakness the next week.

Same team. Different outcomes.

Throughout this 2023 NFL season, we’ll help to identify important trends and tendencies by different NFL referees to help you gain an edge when placing a bet .

Sharp Football Analysis has every angle of Chiefs vs. 49ers covered in our Super Bowl 58 Hub .

NFL Referee Assignment for Super Bowl 58

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Bill Vinovich’s Impact on Chiefs vs. 49ers in Super Bowl 58

The Chiefs and 49ers meet in Super Bowl 58. The game will officiated by Bill Vinovich, his third Super Bowl as a head referee.

Bill Vnovich was in charge of proceedings in the Chiefs’ 31-20 victory over the 49ers in Super Bowl 54 to conclude the 2019 NFL season. This game marks the first time the same referee has officiated a Super Bowl rematch.

Vinovich is the epitome of a “let ‘em play” referee, especially in postseason games.

We have detailed the decline in offensive holding penalties throughout these playoffs versus regular season averages. Expect that to continue in Super Bowl 58.

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa brought the issue to the media’s and hopefully the officiating crew’s attention in the lead-up to the big game.

The Chiefs have been the number one beneficiary of the reduction in offensive holding in the playoffs. It would be an ideal scenario for the 49ers to see more offensive holding calls in Super Bowl 58, but that is unlikely.

The all-star officiating crew is a topic of conversation when assessing the Super Bowl. How can we preview a game if the referee in charge doesn’t have the entirety of his regular season crew on the field?

It’s a valid point, and we did an in-depth look at this last week.

If there is one surefire playoff trend, regardless of the crew makeup and the head referee, it’s the emphasis on reducing overall penalties.

Look for the Vinovich-led crew in Super Bowl 58 to follow that script.

Now, let’s assess the strengths and weaknesses of the teams in the Super Bowl from a penalty perspective and how the officiating of the Bill Vinovich-led crew will potentially impact these games

Penalty Tendencies:

• Since Bill Vinovich’s first Super Bowl as a head referee between the Patriots and Seahawks in 2015, his games are averaging 9.5 penalties for 78.4 yards. Keep these numbers in mind for any penalty props that may be available for this Super Bowl
• The Chiefs overall offense and offensive line issues were well-documented throughout the 2023 season. The penalty issues for the Kansas City offense have seen a sharp decline in their playoff run
• The Chiefs averaged 5.3 penalties per game in the 2023 regular season, with 63% committed by their offense. That averages out to around 3.5 offensive penalties per game
• The Chiefs are averaging just 2.6 penalties per game on their current playoff run, with the offense responsible for 70% of penalties. That amounts to around 1.8 offensive penalties per game, a significant drop from the regular season average. Since the drop in offensive penalties is primarily via offensive holding, it’s a huge boon to a Kansas City offense that struggled at times in 2023
• The decline in offensive holding is standard operating procedure every season in the playoffs. The NFL wants an aesthetically pleasing product in highly viewed postseason games. It just so happens Kansas City is the biggest beneficiary of this in 2023
• The 49ers offense is responsible for just 46% of the team’s overall penalties in 2023, with their offensive line responsible for just 24% of the team’s overall penalties
• The 49ers were a below-average penalized team for offensive holding in 2023
• In their Super Bowl 54 matchup in 2020, there was one offensive holding penalty called by Vinovich’s crew. More notable in that game were the non-calls, particularly in situations involving the aforementioned Nick Bosa 
• The 49ers and Chiefs defensive units are the two least impactful at generating offensive holding penalties on the opposing offenses in 2023, ranking 31st and 32nd respectively. In their five combined playoff games in the 2023-24 playoffs, these defenses have generated one accepted offensive holding penalty and have had one additional call declined
• Vinovich ranks second for false start penalties per game
• The 49ers and Chiefs share a common trait in penalties surrendered via passing plays. Defensive pass interference makes up the bulk of penalties surrendered in this category, with 61% of the Chiefs’ infractions and 58% of the 49ers’
• The back judge in Super Bowl 58 is from the Land Clark crew. One of the more controversial no-calls in 2023 came in Chiefs at Vikings in Week 5. It was a late-game defensive pass interference by L’Jarius Sneed on Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison . The flag was thrown by the side judge but picked up after a discussion with the back judge and head referee Land Clark.
• The 49ers and Chiefs offenses are top five beneficiaries of defensive holding infractions
• The Vinovich-led crew has members from the Clark, Shawn Hochuli, and Tra Blake crews. All three were above average calling defensive holding.
• Vinovich is co-ranked number one for illegal use of hands penalties and second overall for illegal block in the back penalties in 2023. These are two categories the Chiefs are highly penalized in versus league average. These infractions are more likely to get called in Super Bowl 58 with the Vinovich and Hochuli crews heavily represented in this game
• No referee has called fewer roughing the passer penalties than Vinovich since the start of the 2018 NFL season, averaging one approximately every seventh game officiated. This is far fewer than other referees over that same stretch. Across the board, the average is one roughing the passer penalty approximately every 2.5 games officiated. Keep these roughing the passer numbers in mind for penalty-specific prop bets in Super Bowl 58
• In playoff games, Vinovich-led crews have called just one roughing the passer penalty in 14 contests officiated since the 2012 season. The inclusion of two Hochuli crew members is the only cause for concern about roughing the passer, as they led the NFL in this category. However, at the end of the day, Vinovich runs this outfit and his numbers override everything else.
• Conversely, Vinovich-led crews in those 14 playoff games have called 13 unnecessary roughness penalties
• Pre-snap penalties are to be avoided at all costs. The Chiefs were one of the best in the NFL this season, ranking 30th overall. It’s worth noting, four of the five teams with the fewest pre-snap penalties in 2023 made the playoffs

Bottom Line:

• Vinovich-led crews are 60-39-2 (60%) to the under since the start of the 2018 NFL season, including 10-7 (60%) to the under in 2023
• In playoff games dating back to 2012, Vinovich is 9-8 to the under. The Chiefs’ 31-20 victory in Super Bowl 54 stayed under the closing total of 52.5 points. We are dealing with a far lower number in this contest
• A little-mentioned factor in the lead-up to this game is the new grass field surface at Allegiant Stadium. Last year’s surface in Arizona was a debacle, and it favored the offenses. From an in-game wagering perspective, the focus on offensive holding, or the probable lack thereof, is issue No. 1. The second piece to the puzzle is field conditions. Those two factors alone will impact the total as much as anything else

If the 49ers bring their “A” game, they can win Super Bowl 58. At their best, San Francisco looked near unbeatable in the 2023 season.

However, it’s been a while since we’ve seen that form, and frankly, they were fortunate to win their first two playoff games.

We thought the Ravens would be a tough out in the AFC Championship, but the moment proved to be too big for them.

The positive for the 49ers is that they have a loaded roster with high-IQ players who shouldn’t make the same discipline-related errors that contributed to the Ravens’ downfall. The team needs to play its best game from the get-go in Super Bowl 58.

Conversely, the Chiefs’ fast starts have had them largely control games during their playoff run. Its coaching staff and its core group of players provide them with an edge in this matchup. This is especially true at the quarterback position.

The bottom line is they won’t beat themselves, making the Kansas City Chiefs the play in this game and the winner of Super Bowl 58.

Bet 49ers vs. Chiefs Now!

Super Bowl 58 Referee Crew & Penalty Trend

Heading into the 2023 NFL playoffs, the three referees most likely to officiate the Super Bowl were Bill Vinovich, John Hussey, and Shawn Hochuli. It’s no surprise five of the seven Super Bowl officials are members are from these crews.

Two members apiece are from the Bill Vinovich and Shawn Hochuli crews.

The remaining three officials are from the John Hussey, Tra Blake, and Land Clark officiating crews.

These five crews represent 30% of all officiating crews in the NFL, which is a key number when detailing the following penalty categories.

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New Sunday network assignments shift 49 games between CBS and Fox

• Mike Florio

Last year, the NFL tore down the traditional formula that sent daytime games to CBS or Fox. (In a nutshell, CBS had all games in which an AFC team was the visitor, and Fox had all games in which an NFC team was the visitor.)

As NFL V.P. of broadcast planning Mike North said in 2022, “I think all you guys know, when the new media deals kick in, the notion of an AFC team on the road, that game’s a CBS game, or an NFC team on the road, that game belongs to Fox, that’s gone next year. That no longer exists. All games are jump balls, all games are free agents.”

In the second year of this new approach, plenty of games won’t be televised by the network they previously would have televised them. Through the first 17 weeks of the season, 49 games are on CBS instead of Fox, or Fox instead of CBS. That’s nearly three games per week on average, assigned to the network other than the one that traditionally would have televised it.

As North pointed out during a Thursday media call, the dynamic has resulted in CBS getting its first Eagles-Cowboys game since 1993.

The NFL didn’t have a list of all games that ended up on the Fox instead of CBS, or CBS instead of Fox. So we went through the schedule, week by week, to come up with one.

Here are the games that flip the prior formula:

Week 1: Steelers at Falcons on Fox, Cardinals at Bills on CBS, Titans at Bears on Fox.

Week 2: Colts at Packers on Fox, 49ers at Vikings on CBS.

Week 3: Bears at Colts on CBS, Broncos at Buccaneers on Fox, Ravens at Cowboys on Fox.

Week 4: Bengals at Panthers on Fox, Vikings at Packers on CBS, Patriots at 49ers on Fox.

Week 5: Dolphins at Patriots on Fox, Browns at Commanders on Fox, Raiders at Broncos on Fox, Packers at Rams on CBS, Giants at Seahawks on CBS.

Week 6: Commanders at Ravens on CBS, Browns at Eagles on Fox.

Week 7: Dolphins at Colts on Fox, Panthers at Commanders on CBS, Chiefs at 49ers on Fox.

Week 8: Titans at Lions on Fox, Bears at Commanders on CBS, Bills at Seahawks on Fox, Eagles at Bengals on CBS, Panthers at Broncos on CBS.

Week 9: Saints at Panthers on CBS, Raiders at Bengals on Fox, Patriots at Titans on Fox, Bears at Cardinals on CBS.

Week 10: Patriots at Bears on Fox, Titans at Chargers on Fox, Eagles at Cowboys on CBS.

Week 11: Browns at Saints on Fox, Vikings at Titans on CBS.

Week 12: Buccaneers at Giants on CBS.

Week 13: Bears at Lions on CBS, Texans at Jaguars on Fox, Eagles at Ravens on CBS.

Week 14: Seahawks at Cardinals on CBS, Bills at Rams on Fox.

Week 15: Jets at Jaguars on Fox, Bengals at Titans on Fox, Steelers at Eagles on Fox.

Week 16: Steelers at Ravens on Fox, Rams at Jets on CBS, Broncos at Chargers on Fox, 49ers at Dolphins on CBS.

Week 17: Raiders at Saints on Fox.

Sources: Reworked NFL officiating department adds 2 to staff

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell joins Pat McAfee to discuss new tackle rules for the coming season. (1:57)

The NFL's overhaul of its officiating department has continued with the promotions of two members of its 2024 crews.

Umpire Ramon George and replay official Mark Butterworth are both joining the league office, sources told ESPN on Thursday, confirming multiple reports, although it is unclear who will have final authority in the department during the 2024 season.

George, an NFL umpire since 2016, will be in a vice president-level role that focuses on officiating evaluation and assignments, sources said. Butterworth will serve as vice president of replay, sources said, becoming the third person to hold that title in three years following Jon Berger and Russell Yurk.

NFL senior vice president of officiating communications and administration Perry Fewell is expected to remain with the department, although his title could change.

The additions come after officiating chief Walt Anderson stepped down from his role last month -- and on the same day that his son, Derek, was hired as an on-field official. Anderson's new title, the league said at the time, would be NFL rules analyst and club communications liaison.

Sources have said over the past year that the NFL favors having former coaches in its officiating leadership group. That includes Fewell and longtime assistant coach George Stewart, whom the NFL quietly hired in 2023 to serve as vice president of training and development.

49ers to host Jets in 2024 Monday Night Football opener

Aaron rodgers will return to the monday night football stage to open 2024, by matt maiocco • published may 14, 2024 • updated on may 14, 2024 at 8:00 am.

The San Francisco 49ers do not have to wait long for one of their marquee games of the 2024 NFL season, as they will kick off the campaign with a contest against quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sept. 9 on ESPN’s "Monday Night Football" at Levi’s Stadium, the NFL announced Tuesday morning.

Primetime at our place 🤩 We'll kick off the 2024 season vs the Jets on Monday Night Football. @ESPNNFL x @NFL — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 14, 2024

Streaming 24/7: Watch NBC 5 local news and weather for free wherever you are

The NFL is announcing several of the best matchups ahead of the complete unveiling of the regular season schedule on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.

Rodgers, who grew up in Chico and played at Cal, will make his Northern California return in Week 1 to face his old nemesis. His 20th NFL season will begin against the organization that ended his season four times in the postseason while he played for the Packers.

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In nine regular-season games, Green Bay went 6-3 against the 49ers with Rodgers at quarterback. But Rodgers is 0-4 against the 49ers in the postseason .

Most recently, the 49ers beat Rodgers 37-20 in the NFC Championship Game in January 2020 . Two years later, the 49ers upset the top-seeded Packers 13-10 on a frigid night at Lambeau Field in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Rodgers, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time NFL MVP , will get another crack at the 49ers with his new team.

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Rodgers was traded to the Jets last offseason, but he took just four snaps before sustaining a torn left Achilles in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills — also on Monday Night Football.

Tight end George Kittle hinted at a 49ers-Jets matchup on Instagram on Monday.

Does George know something we don’t know? 🤔 [via @gkittle46 / IG] pic.twitter.com/8cSx1N1pyr — 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) May 13, 2024

The 49ers have opened the season only once before against the Jets, and it was a memorable game. On Sept. 6, 1998, the teams went to overtime before Garrison Hearst ended it with a 96-yard touchdown run for a 36-30 victory at Candlestick Park.

There is a large 49ers flavor on the Jets.

Head coach Robert Saleh served four seasons on Kyle Shanahan’s staff as defensive coordinator. In three seasons with New York, his teams are 18-33, including back-to-back years of 7-10.

Former 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich is the Jets’ defensive coordinator. And among the former San Francisco players on New York's roster are defensive linemen and past first-round draft draft picks Solomon Thomas and Javon Kinlaw.

The defending NFC champions ended the 2023 season under the prime time lights, and that's exactly where they will begin the 2024 season.

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Officiating crews for the 2023 season

The list of the 17 crews and swing officials for the 2023 NFL season.

Football Zebras exclusive

Football Zebras has obtained the officiating crew rosters for the 2023 NFL season. This season, there are 12 new officials to replace 12 that retired or quit or were otherwise not retained . There are also 2 veterans designated as swing officials, both at the umpire position, who will move between crews through the season.

There is also a new referee this season, Alan Eck , who becomes the 9th new referee in the past 6 years. He is replacing 19-year veteran referee Jerome Boger, who retired during the offseason . Boger’s crew was disbanded, and Eck does not have any of those officials on his crew this season.

Crew members are listed with their years of NFL experience, including the upcoming season, the crew they were on last season, the college attended, and occupation. A replay official and replay assistant are assigned to each crew.

* indicates an official who is on the same crew as last season. Veteran officials who have changed positions from last season are noted on each crew. Information for first-year officials will be updated when available.

• Position change: Shay (replay assistant→replay official).

• Position change: Monroe (SJ→BJ).

• Position changes: Eck (U→R), Bryan (U→DJ), DeLorenzo (DJ→LJ).
• Substitution: Bowers injured in Week 1 and replaced by Bryan, who was originally a swing official.

Substitution: Following Week 1, Bergman is out for the season and a line judge from a crew that is off substitutes for him each week.

• Position change: Coleman (FJ→SJ).

• Number change: Boger (2→23).

• Position change: Manley (replay assistant→replay official).

• Number change: Causey (84→21).

• Swing officials can be assigned to any crew during the season.
• Substitution: ‡Bryan switched to down judge and moved permanently to Alan Eck’s crew.

Senior staff

• Walt Anderson, senior vice president of officiating training and development —  centralized replay representative
• Perry Fewell, senior vice president of officiating administration —  centralized replay representative
• Bret Ayers, director of video technology

Regional officiating coordinators

• Garth DeFelice
• Doug Rosenbaum
• Gary Slaughter
• Rob Vernatchi

Larry Smith is the referee for the 2023 USFL Championship Game

Bryan Banks and Derek Anderson are the USFL playoff referees

Ben Austro is the editor and founder of Football Zebras and the author of So You Think You Know Football?: The Armchair Ref's Guide to the Official Rules ( on sale now )

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Rules review video: Touching the pylon, ball carrier down, and targeting with the lights out

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Rules review video: Kick catch interference, invalid fair catch signal, and penalty enforcements

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Rules review video: Targeting, replay tools, and an experiment with the kickoff line

Rules review video: Illegal forward pass, illegal touching, and simulated kneeldowns

Rules review video: Defensive pass interference, coaches on the field, and defense re-establishing in bounds

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Tom Brady's NFL broadcast debut as Fox analyst will be Cowboys vs. Browns in Week 1

Tom Brady's first NFL regular-season game as an analyst will feature one of the sport's most popular teams.

Brady and the Fox No. 1 announcing team will be on the call for a Dallas Cowboys contest against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8, it was announced at an event for Fox advertisers Monday as part of the NFL schedule rollout that continues through Wednesday.

The matchup is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. The game is part of an exclusive doubleheader window for FOX; there will be no CBS game in the late-afternoon window.

From NFL plays to college sports scores, all the top sports news you need to know every day.

"I know how important they are to this network," Brady said of the Cowboys.

He also playfully ribbed Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott .

"Let’s see if he can finally come through," Brady said. "Did that just slip out?"

Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback with the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , initially retired following the 2021 season but returned for another season in Tampa. Before Brady's comeback, however, FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch said the star signal-caller would join the network as the No. 1 game analyst once his playing days ended. Brady then took off the 2023 season with plans to join Kevin Burkhardt in the booth in 2024 .

Brady reiterated that his motivations for becoming a broadcaster hinged on his desire to remain close to the NFL.

"(Joining) the greatest telecast in football was ultimately what made my decision … just the tremendous team we have here made it a no-brainer for me," Brady said.

Brady’s contract with the network was reported to be $375 million over 10 years.

Brady brought out his new FOX teammates – Burkhardt and sideline reporters Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi – who showered him with praise.

"How could you not be excited?" Burkhardt said. "You’re talking about the most clutch player in the history of the NFL I get to stand next to every single week, that’s pretty good."

Rinaldi noted the excitement players and coaches will have during production meetings with Brady present.

"We know they’re going to bring their absolute best that Sunday because TB’s in that booth," Rinaldi said.

Brady was the target of a "roast" event that aired on Netflix that aired earlier this month. The three-hour comedy event was something Brady said he regretted participating in because of the effect it had on his children. On Monday, his presentation had a much different tone as he helped FOX sell advertisements.

As a player, Brady was 7-0 against the Cowboys until they defeated him in the final game of his career, a wild-card contest in January 2023.

FOX has the broadcast for Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans – Brady's final assignment of his first season as an announcer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tom Brady's NFL broadcast debut as Fox analyst will be Cowboys vs. Browns in Week 1

Green Bay Packers schedule 2024: Everything to know after NFL’s official reveal

GREEN BAY – Green Bay Packers Gold package season ticket holders struck — uh — gold this year.

The luck of the draw worked well for Gold package holders, which rarely happens. For the first time, the Packers have nine regular-season home games, with Gold package holders assigned games two, five and nine. That means they get all three NFC North opponents this year. The Packers determined which games the Gold package would get when the NFC expanded to a 17-game season in 2021, without knowing who the opponents would be.

"The Packers have simply designated home games two and five, and nine when applicable, as Gold package games. Opponents are set by the NFL according to the needs of the overall schedule," said Aaron Popkey, Packers director of public affairs.

In addition, the NFL schedule released on Wednesday has Green Bay playing the first-ever game in South America, against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 6, and on Thanksgiving night against the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field.

Some Green package holders expressed unhappiness Wednesday on social media, but Jay Bushmaker of Apple Valley, Minn., a Green package holder, took the assignments in stride.

"It looks like our division will be competitive this year, so those are attractive games," Bushmaker said. "With that, I think the slate of other home games is strong, with the Texans, Dolphins, and 49ers appearing. Either way, it should be an exciting season at Lambeau this year."

What times do the Packers play?

God might or might not be a Green Bay Packers fan, but the NFL and the networks certainly are.

The Packers will play five prime-time games this season, including the first game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and four in a row starting with Thanksgiving.

The Packers, with Brett Favre and then Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, have always been an NFL broadcast favorite, often playing the maximum number of prime-time games allowed. After Jordan Love's 2023 season, he's picked up that mantle and the Packers remain a ratings draw.

That said, the Packers also have eight and possibly nine noon games this season. They had eight noon games in 2023. As with last year, date and time of the final game against the Chicago Bears will be decided later in the year. Last year, that game determined whether the Packers would make the playoffs was played at 3:25 p.m. Green Bay won 17-9 and earned the final NFC playoff spot.

The Packers have three games at 3:25 p.m., two of them at Lambeau Field.

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What is the home/road breakdown?

The Packers play five of their nine home games before the Week 10 bye. They play no more than two games in a row on the road or at home all season.

During the stretch before the bye week, the Packers play three of four games at home. In December, they have three road games out of four. There won't be a lot of winter weather advantage, except for the one home game, when they play the decidedly warm-weather New Orleans Saints.

The Packers play the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers and also-tough Miami Dolphins within four days of each other, but both of those games are at Lambeau Field. They will not, however, get the customary nine days off after the Thursday Thanksgiving game because the play the Detroit Lions the following Thursday.

How many holiday games do the Packers play this year?

This year, just the one on Thanksgiving night at Lambeau Field. Last year, the Packers played on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. The Packers won all three games.

The Packers last hosted a Thanksgiving day game in 2015. That was the night they had three hall of fame quarterbacks (assuming Aaron Rodgers becomes one), in attendance. It rained and was a generally unpleasant night, but Brett Favre and Bart Starr stuck it out. The Packers also got a photo of all three quarterbacks together. It was, ironically, one of the few times a Rodgers or Favre team lost to the Bears.

In 2022, they played on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. They won both of those games, too.

Does the schedule affect deer hunting season?

Ya sure, you betcha. Gun-deer season in Wisconsin is Nov. 23 to Dec. 1. In the past several years, the Packers had road games during the season, so deer hunting was not disrupted. No such luck this year. Both the 49ers and Dolphins will be at Lambeau during the deer season. Expect to see a lot of orange in the bleachers at Lambeau.

This is the Packers' 2024 schedule:

• Aug. 10, 3:25 p.m., Cleveland Browns, Cleveland, Packers TV Network
• Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Denver Broncos, Denver, Packers TV Network
• Aug. 24. 12 p.m. Baltimore Ravens, Lambeau Field, Packers TV Network

Regular season

• Sept. 6, 7:15 p.m., Philadelphia Eagles, Sau Paulo, Brazil, Peacock and local stations in Green Bay and Milwaukee
• Sept. 15, noon, Indianapolis Colts, Lambeau Field, Fox
• Sept. 22, noon, Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Tenn., Fox
• Sept. 29, noon, Minnesota Vikings, Lambeau Field, Gold package, CBS
• Oct. 6, 3:25 p.m., Los Angeles Rams, Inglewood, Calif., CBS
• Oct. 13, noon, Arizona Cardinals, Lambeau Field, Fox
• Oct. 20, noon, Houston Texans, Lambeau Field, Fox
• Oct. 27, noon. Jacksonville Jaguars, Jacksonville, Fla., Fox
• Nov. 3, 3:25 p.m., Detroit Lions, Lambeau Field, Gold package, Fox
• Nov. 10, Bye week
• Nov. 17, noon, Chicago Bears, Soldier Field, Chicago, Fox
• Nov. 24, 3:25 p.m., San Francisco 49ers, Lambeau Field, Fox
• Nov. 28, 7:20 p.m., (Thanksgiving), Miami Dolphins, Lambeau Field, NBC
• Dec. 5, 715 p.m., Detroit Lions, Detroit, Thursday Night Football, Prime Video
• Dec. 15, 7:20 p.m., Seattle Seahawks, Seattle, Sunday Night Football, NBC
• Dec. 23, 7:15 p.m., New Orleans Saints, Lambeau Field, Monday Night Football, ESPN
• Dec. 29, noon, Minnesota Vikings, Minneapolis, Fox
• Jan. 4-5, Chicago Bears, Lambeau Field, date, time and network to be determined, Gold package

Contact Richard Ryman at  [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at  @RichRymanPG,  on Instagram at  @rrymanPG  or on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG