If you're anything like me, you've been counting down the days until kickoff, which is why having a 2024 nfl absolute checklist handy is the only way to make sure you don't miss a single snap or scramble for a login password five minutes before the first game. There is nothing worse than that frantic Sunday morning where you realize your favorite jersey is buried in a box or your streaming subscription expired two months ago.
We've got a massive season ahead of us. Between the Chiefs trying to pull off a historic three-peat and all the rookie quarterbacks trying to prove they weren't a bust before they even took a snap, there's a lot to keep track of. So, let's get into the nitty-gritty of what you actually need to do to be ready for the season.
Sort Out Your Viewing Situation
First things first, you have to actually be able to watch the games. The days of just plugging in a cable box and having everything in one spot are pretty much dead. For 2024, the landscape is even more fragmented.
You need to check your subscriptions now. Since Sunday Ticket moved over to YouTube TV, make sure your account is active and you know how to navigate the interface. If you're a fan of a team that isn't in your local market, this is non-negotiable. Also, don't forget about the "Prime Video" Thursday night games and those Peacock-exclusive matchups that seem to pop up and surprise everyone.
I'd also suggest doing a "dry run" of your setup. Turn on your TV, open the apps, and make sure the "Update Required" screen doesn't ruin your opening weekend. If your Wi-Fi has been spotty lately, maybe it's time to run an ethernet cable to your main streaming device. There is a special kind of hell reserved for people whose screens buffer right as a quarterback lets go of a 50-yard bomb.
The Fantasy Football Grind
No 2024 nfl absolute checklist would be complete without talking about fantasy football. Whether you're in a high-stakes league with your college buddies or a casual family league where your aunt accidentally drafts three kickers, you need to be prepared.
Stop relying on the default rankings that the app gives you. Take some time to look at offensive line changes and coaching shifts. A team might have a great wide receiver, but if they switched to a run-heavy offensive coordinator, that guy's production is going to tank.
Also, please, for the love of everything, check your draft date. There is always one person who misses the draft because they thought it was Sunday night when it was actually Saturday afternoon. Don't be that person who lets the "Auto-Draft" bot pick four tight ends for your roster.
Refresh Your Wardrobe
Let's talk about the gear. Go to your closet right now and pull out your jerseys. If you're still rocking a jersey of a guy who got traded to your division rival three months ago, it's time to move on. Either retire it to the back of the closet or find a way to tape a new name over the back—though that usually looks pretty tacky.
Check for stains, too. If you didn't wash your lucky shirt after that heartbreaking playoff loss last year, it probably still smells like stale beer and sadness. Give it a fresh wash so you can start the 2024 season with a clean slate.
If you're planning on buying something new, do it now. Shipping times get weird once the season starts, and you don't want your new "Caleb Williams" or "Jayden Daniels" jersey arriving in week six when the hype has already shifted to someone else.
Master the New Rules
Every year, the NFL tweaks something, and 2024 is bringing some of the biggest changes we've seen in a while. The biggest one on your 2024 nfl absolute checklist should be understanding the new kickoff rules.
The league basically redesigned how kickoffs work to make them more exciting and safer. It's going to look a little weird at first—almost like a weird scrimmage line at the 30-yard line. Take five minutes to watch a video or read a breakdown of it. You don't want to be the person at the bar yelling "Why aren't they running?!" when the rules literally forbid them from moving yet.
Also, keep an eye on the "hip-drop tackle" ban. It's going to lead to some controversial penalties early in the season while defenders figure out how to adjust their body weight. Knowing these rules ahead of time will save you a lot of unnecessary screaming at the referees (well, some of it).
Game Day Snacks and Logistics
If you're the person who hosts the games, you've got a bigger job than most. You need to audit your kitchen. Is your air fryer working? Do you have enough coasters?
Start thinking about your menu now. Wings are a classic, but maybe 2024 is the year you branch out into a slow-cooker chili or a massive taco bar. The goal is to have food that doesn't require you to be standing in the kitchen while the game is on. You want to be on the couch, not flipping burgers while your team is in a two-minute drill.
If you're heading to the stadium for a game this year, check the stadium's bag policy. They change more often than you'd think, and walking back a mile to your car because your bag is two inches too wide is a miserable way to start the day.
The Mental Prep and Schedule
Take a good look at the schedule. Mark down the bye weeks for your favorite players and your own team. There's nothing worse than getting hyped for a Sunday game only to realize on Friday that your team isn't even playing.
Also, look at the international games. We've got games in Brazil, London, and Germany this year. That means some 9:30 AM Eastern starts. If you're a West Coast fan, that's a 6:30 AM kickoff. You need to make sure you have coffee ready and that you've warned your family or roommates that you'll be shouting at the TV before the sun is even fully up.
Following the Right People
Social media is a double-edged sword during the season. It's great for instant news, but it's also a cesspool of bad takes. Curate your feed now. Follow the beat writers who actually know what's going on inside the locker rooms, and maybe mute the loudmouths who just want to go viral for saying something controversial.
Setting Boundaries
Lastly, and this might sound silly, but talk to your significant other or your friends about your "Sunday availability." If you plan on being "unavailable" from noon until 11:00 PM every Sunday for the next four months, it's better to set those expectations now. Negotiate those apple-picking trips or brunch dates for Saturdays so you can have your Sundays in peace.
The 2024 season is going to be a wild ride. It's a long journey from the Hall of Fame game to the Super Bowl in New Orleans, but if you check off these boxes, you'll at least be prepared for the chaos. Grab your remote, get your snacks in order, and let's get this season started.