The NFL schedule release is always an exciting time for fans. It gives NFL fans a chance to predict how the season will go.
Many things must be considered when making the schedule. For example, travel, other sports at the same venue, concerts or other events and weather. The most important thing after all the practical stuff is to ensure each week has enough fun games to keep fans watching. Each week has at least one matchup that NFL fans will want to see.
Week 1 of NFL schedule – Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens
The first game of the NFL season is predicted to be a classic. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs take on the team they defeated in the AFC championship to make it to the superbowl, the Baltimore Ravens. This is also a matchup between the last two MVPs, Patrick Mahomes in 2022 and Lamar Jackson in 2023.
Week 2 of NFL schedule- Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills have been a dominant force in the regular season in recent years, making the playoffs every year since 2019. However, after trading Stefon Diggs the Bills could be in danger of falling to the wild card or worse. The Bills and Dolphins fought for the division title until the final week when the Bills snuck away with another division title.
Week 3 of NFL schedule- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
The two top teams in the NFC west in 2023 take on each other in week 3 of 2024. The Rams have a good mix of young talent and veteran leadership. Meanwhile the 49ers have the deepest roster in the NFL from top to bottom. If the Rams young talent can take the next step they can make the division competitive.
Week 4 of NFL schedule- Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
A classic matchup between two of the most talented QBs in the league in Jackson and Josh Allen. The Bills have won the last two games vs. the Ravens, including defeating them in the AFC divisional round on January 16, 2021. Continuing that winning streak will go a long way to winning the division.
Week 5 of NFL schedule- Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans
Even on the surface level this is a great matchup. Two of the top QBs in Allen and C.J Stroud taking on each other, along with two of the top teams. But even deeper than that you have Diggs playing against his former team the Bills for the first time as a Texan. The Texans traded for Diggs hoping he would push them to the next level.
Week 6 of NFL schedule- Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys
Two of the top teams in the NFC get to battle in week 6. These teams were slated to meet each other in the playoffs last season but after the Cowboys got upset by the seventh seed Packers the matchup never ended up happening. However, both of these teams will look to make it back into the playoffs to avenge their losses, and a win here would be a difference maker.
Week 7 of NFL schedule- Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers
Very few matchups can be better than a rematch of the previous year’s super bowl. The super bowl match between these two was one of the most competitive in history, one of two super bowl games to go into overtime. Mahomes and the Chiefs ended up securing the first repeat since Tom Brady and the Patriots in 2004 and 2005.
Photo via Billboard
Week 8 of NFL schedule- Dallas Cowboys vs. San Francisco 49ers
This classic 90s rivalry has seen a rebirth in recent seasons. The 49ers had ended the Cowboys season for two seasons in a row in 2021 and 2022. In 2023 the Cowboys didn’t get a chance at revenge as they got upset in the first round. The Cowboys will be hungry to prevent another lose vs. their long time rivals.
Week 9 of NFL schedule- Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills
As stated earlier, the Bills and Dolphins were fighting for the AFC east division crown last season until the final game. With how close these two division rivals are, both of their matchups are going to be must watch TV. If the two teams end up with the same record their head to head matchups will be the tiebreaker.
Week 10 of NFL schedule- Detroit Lions vs. Houston Texans
In 2023, both of these teams broke long standing playoff droughts. Both also proved they could win in big games, with the Texans defeating the Browns in the wild card game and the Lions defeating the Rams in the wild card game and the Buccaneers in the division round. Both of these teams look to build off their first sign of success in years.
Week 11 of NFL schedule- Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys
The interstate rivalry between the Texans and Cowboys could heat up this season. The Cowboys have been better for most of the Texans existence, but with a young QB in Stroud the Texans could be competitive for years to come. The last time these teams met the Cowboy snuck past with a win vs. a 1-11 Texans team.
Week 12 of NFL schedule- Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Rams
The 2021 and 2022 NFC champions will get to play each other in week 12. Both of these teams were forced to adapt after making it to the super bowl. The Rams built with the few pieces of draft capital they had while the Eagles spent big money on free agents like Saquon Barkley. Both of these teams look like they could be making another super bowl run soon.
Week 13 of NFL schedule- Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers
As usual, the NFL saved the best Thanksgiving matchup for last. The final holiday matchup will be between two playoff teams in 2023. The Packers surprised the world by making the playoff in their first season without Aaron Rodgers. Their QB Jordan Love will look to build off this success in 2024.
Photo via Daily Mail
Week 14 of NFL schedule- Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams
Week 14 gives us one of the most intriguing inter-conference matchups of the season. The Bills and Rams last matched up on opening day of 2022, when the Bills blew out the defending champions 31-10. This ended up being a sign of things to come with the Rams in 2022, but they enter 2024 with new life after making the playoffs in 2023.
Week 15 of NFL schedule- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns
This will be a classic matchup of offense vs. defense. Mahomes can do almost anything you could ask a QB to do, but Myles Garrett is known for making QBs lives difficult. These teams matched up in the 2020 playoffs, with Chad Henne entering the game after Mahomes left the game for an injury.
Week 16 of NFL schedule- Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
With their trade for Diggs, the Texans want to prove they can compete with any team in the league. This week 16 matchup vs. the defending champions is the best way to prove you belong. With teams like the Jaguars and Colts looking to compete for a playoff spot this could also give them the space needed to secure the division with a couple weeks to spare.
Week 17 of NFL schedule- Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans
The NFL is looking to compete with the NBA for Christmas dominance. They signed a three year contract with Netflix to put games on Christmas day on the streaming platform. Although having to pay for another subscription service isn’t ideal this matchup between two top dogs may be worth it.
Week 18 of NFL schedule- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The problem with the final week of the season is usually teams fall into one of two categories. They either aren’t trying because they already clinched a playoff spot or they aren’t trying to tank for a pick. I believe this matchup will be good as both teams have enough talent to make the playoffs but likely won’t clinch before the final week. This could end up being a battle for a playoff spot.
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