A Historic Black Friday Football Doubleheader
ABC News, along with Associated Press and other major outlets, spotlighted an unprecedented doubleheader on Black Friday: the Miami Hurricanes opening their college season at Boston College, followed by the Miami Dolphins visiting the New York Jets in the NFL’s first-ever Black Friday game & Broadcast Info
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Miami at Boston College (College football, Hurricanes’ season finale)
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Kickoff: Noon (EST)
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Network: ABC
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Dolphins at Jets (NFL’s first Black Friday game)
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Kickoff: 3 p.m. (EST)
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Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, with free access to all Amazon account holders
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ABC’s coverage frames this as a transformative moment: a national spotlight on Miami’s thriving football scene—both collegiate and professional—at the culturally significant holiday.
🌪️ Miami Hurricanes at Boston College
Context & Stakes
The Hurricanes (6–5, 2–5 ACC) take on Boston College (6–5, 3–4 ACC), each fighting for bowl eligibility in a high-stakes showdown For Miami, a season finale win would cement a winning record—crucial for postseason aspirations. Boston College, coming off a five-game winning streak but currently in a slump, aims to regain momentum .
Quarterback Carousel
Miami’s season hasn’t been smooth. Veteran Tyler Van Dyke (ACC rookie of the year in 2021) struggled (17 TDs, 12 INTs). He was bench‑replaced midseason by freshman Emory Williams, then reinstated when Williams got injured Friday’s matchup acts as a form of audition—not only for bowl calls but potentially for Van Dyke’s future transfer discussions.
Historic Resonance
Boston College hosts this game on the same Friday after Thanksgiving that saw the famed 1984 “Hail Flutie” moment—the scene of Doug Flutie’s legendary game-winning pass It brings extra emotional resonance and a reminder of New England football lore.
The Chill Factor
Weather threatens to play spoiler. Temperatures are expected near 40°F at kickoff, bringing frigid conditions typically seen in late November in New Engla Expect field adjustments, squad rotations, and a run-heavy strategy.
🏈 Dolphins at Jets – NFL’s First Black Friday Game
A New NFL Tradition
Announced May 10, 2023, the Jets vs. Dolphins on November 24 became the NFL’s inaugural Black Friday fixture . Played at MetLife Stadium, kickoff at 3 p.m. EST, this historic event marks a deliberate push to expand the league’s prime-time showcase into new holiday territor
Streaming & Fan Experience
Exclusive broadcast via Amazon Prime Video, it’s offered free to all Amazon account holders, further democratizing access to top-tier NFL content Amazon’s Marie Donoghue emphasized:
“We’re excited … what better way to kick off this new tradition than with a rivalry matchup … and give all fans free access.”
Prime Video’s coverage lineup boasts top-tier talent like Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, and Tony Gonzalez
This rivalry goes back to 1966. Miami holds a slight edge in the series (57–56–1 entering this game) after a back‑and‑forth season The match also echoed Miami’s last Friday game in 1983, when they defeated the Jets 34–14 in the Orange Bowl
Recent Performance
The Jets switched quarterbacks midseason after benching Zach Wilson for Tim Boyle, who went 7-for-14 with a pick in his first relief appearance. Meanwhile, Miami, at 7–3, sits atop the AFC East and is chasing a divisional crown . A win here bolsters their path to the playoffs.
📊 Viewership & Reception
The Black Friday NFL debut drew 9.61 million average viewers, peaking at 11.18 million, placing it among the less-watched games but still a strong debut for the new time slot Figures like these suggest room to grow, but mark a successful initiation into a new holiday territory.
📰 Why This Matters
The Black Friday games hold broader significance beyond holiday weekend entertainment:
1. Broadening Football’s Holiday Footprint
Expanding into Thanksgiving weekend and Black Friday aligns the NFL with other marquee holiday sporting events, like college football’s Rivalry Week and the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day slate.
2. Cross‑Platform Accessibility
Streaming via Prime Video, with free access, signals a shift in how the NFL distributes premier games—making big rivalries more accessible to digital audiences and possibly attracting younger viewers.
3. Miami Football Showcase
Miami’s dual representation (college and pro) highlights the city’s deep football culture and extends brand influence—from ACC drama to AFC rivalry under one holiday umbrella.
4. Potential Trendsetter
Success may lead to more Black Friday matchups—possibly annual traditions, including rotating teams and expanded coverage across networks and platforms. It could also inspire other leagues to experiment with holiday scheduling.
🔮 Looking Ahead
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Short-term impact: Amazon and the NFL are likely analyzing viewership trends and audience engagement metrics. Strong performance could warrant network expansion and sponsorship opportunities.
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Long-term change: Solid turnout and smooth logistics might embed Black Friday football firmly into the NFL’s seasonal calendar.
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Fan voice: Reddit and social threads indicate excitement, with some recommending ways to watch without Prime, and others speculating about whether non-Prime options will emerge
✨ Final Take
ABC News’ framework—spotlighting Miami’s dual teams on Black Friday—captures a pivotal moment in modern football storytelling. It unites college and pro in a holiday spectacle, leveraging streaming trends, reigniting storied rivalries, and crafting new traditions. For fans, Thanksgiving weekend has moved beyond shopping and turkey—it’s now a gridiron celebration.
Expect this to be more than a one-off. As the NFL refines its holiday strategy, Black Friday football could become as iconic as Thanksgiving Day games. And with Miami as the common thread, it underscores the city’s thriving football identity, from Tyler Van Dyke’s ACC finale to the Dolphins’ playoff chase