For the 2019 NFL season, there’s a full slate of 15 games on NFL Thursday Night Football. FOX will broadcast 11 of the Thursday night games, while Amazon Prime and the NFL Network will be simulcast partners.
Please note all games are scheduled for 8:20 p.m. (ET) / 7:20 (CST) Kick-offs.
Thursday Night Football 2019 Schedule
The oldest NFL rivalry starts off a season full of divisional match-ups. The Packers and the Bears are each featured twice on TNF games this year.
Week 1 (Season Opener)
September 5: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (NBC).
Week 2
September 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (NFL Network).
Week 3
September 19: Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL Network).
Week 4
September 26: Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 5
October 3: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 6
October 10: New York Giants at New England Patriots (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 7
October 17: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 8
October 24: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 9 – (Halloween)
October 31: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 10
November 7: Los Angeles Chargers at Oakland Raiders (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 11
November 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 12
November 21: Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 13 (Thanksgiving)
November 28: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (NBC).
Week 14
December 5: Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears (FOX/NFL Network).
Week 15
December 12: New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens (FOX/NFL Network).
Notable NFL Thursday Night Games
The premiere Thursday night game will feature the oldest rivalry in the NFL as the Chicago Bears play host to the Green Bay Packers on September 5, 2019. NBC will broadcast the opener. The Bears host two Thursday night games this year with the other being a December 5 game against the Cowboys.
In addition, NBC will broadcast the Thanksgiving game where the Atlanta Falcons host the New Orleans Saints. Matt Ryan vs. Drew Brees should make for a good match-up. Note that Week 2 and Week 3 games will only be broadcast on the NFL Network.
Other notable games include a September 26 tilt between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. And, an October 3 game in which the Los Angeles Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks.
History Of Thursday Night Football
Thursday Night Football games, sometimes abbreviated to TNF, is a little slice of heaven sent down to serious football fans. Back in 2002, the NFL scheduled a Thursday night opening kick-off game after labor day leading into the full slate of games on Sunday.
In 2004, the NFL began awarding the first game hosting duties to the Super Bowl winner. The unfurling of the Super Bowl banner has become a tradition in the opening ceremonies before the game.
Games last about 3 hours or until the game ends.
When Thursday Night Football Started
- In its current format, Thursday Night games began in 2006.
- Through the years, some fans believe that Thursday night games are of lower quality relative to Sunday and Monday night games. But, a study by Sports on Earth writer Aaron Roberts showed that the games were of comparable or better quality than non-primetime games.
- Some players have expressed concerns about playing on Thursday nights after limited rest. But, in 2015 the NFL released a health and safety report that showed that an average of 4.8 injuries occurred on Thursday games compared to 6.9 injuries on games played on Sundays and Monday.
Fun Facts about TNF
The teams with the best winning percentages on TNF are the Green Bay Packers (.833), the New England Patriots (.833), Dallas Cowboys (.800), Indianapolis Colts (.778), the Kansas City Chiefs (.750) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (.727).
The teams with the lowest winning percentages on TNF are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (.167), the Buffalo Bills (.288) and the Minnesota Vikings (.333).
The original NFL Network broadcast team included Bryant Gumbel as play-by-play announcer and Chris Collinsworth providing color commentary.
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call the games this year for FOX.
So, when someone asks, “Who plays Thursday Night Football tonight?” you’ll have your answers.
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