Caleb Harris
O NFL Schedule has finally been released, as each team finally knows when they will face their opponents (instead of just knowing their opponents from the calendar). Some teams already had a difficult schedule before knowing when they would face their opponents, making their path to the playoffs even more difficult.
If these teams want to make the postseason, they will deserve it. The schedule didn’t favor either of these teams, even though these teams are good enough to make the playoffs.
Which teams have a tough road ahead in 2024? Here are five teams to keep an eye on thanks to their grueling schedule:
The Steelers already had a tough schedule based on the opponents they face, adding to a grueling AFC North slate that features the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Here’s a problem: The Steelers don’t face an AFC North opponent until Week 11 — which is where the schedule gets really tough.
Pittsburgh faces six AFC North opponents in its last eight games, with the non-division games between them being the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers also play Saturday through Wednesday in Weeks 16 and 17, by virtue of playing on Christmas Day.
The Steelers also play three of their first four games on the road. In short, Pittsburgh needs a quick start before the schedule challenge.
The Bills host three playoff teams in their first four games (three in a row), all in prime time. While a quick start is key for Buffalo with the early season test, the Bills are one of four teams with three straight games on the slate (at Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans in Weeks 4-6).
Buffalo plays four primetime games in the first six weeks (at Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets), with CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans mixed in.
This is without a doubt the most difficult opening section of the NFL.
3.Cleveland Browns
The Browns have the toughest opposing strength on the schedule in 2024 at .547, so they would likely end up on this list anyway. The planners did Cleveland small favors. Like the Bills, the Browns play three consecutive road games (Weeks 4-6), but make up for it with three consecutive home games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers.
The scary part of the schedule comes after the Week 10 bye week, as five of the final eight games are on the road. Two of these games take place in a short week (Thursday Night Football) and are divisional games against the Pittsburgh Steelers (home) and Cincinnati Bengals (road).
It will be impressive if Cleveland can pull off double-digit wins.
4. Baltimore Crows
Notice the theme of AFC North teams here? The Ravens will play 10 games against 2023 playoff teams, easily the most in the NFL. Baltimore will also play 12 games against teams that finished .500 or better last season, tying Cleveland for the most in the league.
The Ravens also have their final NFL bye (Week 14), followed by three games in 10 days during the final stretch of the season – two of which are against playoff teams (Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans).
Baltimore will be tested throughout the season, but this schedule could be easier based on how teams play throughout the year.
Minnesota doesn’t have a tough opponent on the schedule (0.502), but it does have a rookie quarterback facing a good NFC North with the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. The Vikings face the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans in Weeks 2 and 3, although both are at home.
The early part of the schedule doesn’t get any easier with the Packers on the road, followed by the New York Jets in London. After a bye to start Week 6, the Vikings host the Detroit Lions and face the Los Angeles Rams on “Thursday Night Football” on the road.
Minnesota also plays three straight games on the road in Weeks 10-12 (Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears) and ends up hosting the Packers and on the road against the Lions.
The opponents may not be scary based on the opponents’ winning percentage, but this is a less than favorable schedule.
