With the release of the 2024 NFL schedule, here are the hardest (and easiest) four-game stretches for everyone team in the AFC East.
Weeks 11-15: vs. Chiefs; GOODBYE; against the 49ers; in Aries; at Lions
Buffalo was considered a potential exit candidate after parting ways with several veterans this offseason, including two top players, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
While it’s impossible to say whether the Bills will be worse in 2024, we’ll find out what they’re made of during that stretch.
Kirk Cousins ‘stunned’ by Penix Jr. selected by Falcons
While Bills quarterback Josh Allen has a combined 8-1 regular-season record against those teams, each of them made the playoffs last season, Kansas City and San Francisco of course made it to Super Bowl LVIII.
The highly anticipated Week 11 matchup with the Chiefs will set the stage for their next three games.
If Buffalo gets a bye loss, it wouldn’t be surprising if the team finishes 1-3 in this round.
THE EASIEST | Weeks 7-10: vs. Titan; to the Seahawks; against dolphins; at Colts
Fortunately for the Bills, their easiest stretch of the season came just before the challenge of the games mentioned above.
Tennessee and Seattle could prove to be formidable opponents, but with both being led by first-year head coaches, the Bills’ experience will give them the advantage.
Bills Week 9 The clash with Miami will be the teams’ second meeting of the season.
Buffalo could be at high risk of losing their Week 2 game at Hard Rock Stadium as the Dolphins will look to avenge last season’s AFC East championship.
However, if Buffalo loses this game, it probably won’t be swept in the season series, as Allen is 10-2 against Miami in his career, including 6- 0 at home.
And while the Colts could be playoff contenders this season, there’s no guarantee that quarterback Anthony Richardson will be healthy this time of year.
Miami Dolphins
Most difficult | Week 15-18: in Texas; against the 49ers; at Browns; at Jets
While HC Mike McDaniel has become one of the best offensive minds in football since being hired by the Dolphins, his seat could get very hot if his team he collapsed during this time.
Miami has suffered late-season collapses the past two seasons, and there’s a good chance the city will suffer the same fate in 2024.
In four close games Most recently, the Dolphins will face three teams that made the playoffs in 2023, including NFC champion San Francisco.
Additionally, they will close out the season against a revamped Jets team that is vying for a playoff spot.
According to Stathead, it doesn’t help that Miami’s last two games were played in cold environments, especially since the team has lost its last 11 games when temperatures dropped below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Dolphins certainly flew around Tennessee on their schedule. In Week 14 of last season, Miami exploded in epic fashion, making the Titans the first team in NFL history to take a 14-point lead with less than 2:55 to play and win without a half. extra.
It’s hard to imagine the Dolphins suffering another big loss like this if they blow a lead.
Tua Tagovailoa has his limitations at quarterback, but doesn’t There’s no denying that he’s had New England quality throughout his career, going 6-0 as a starter against the team.
This unbeaten streak will continue as the Patriots have the lowest projected win total of any team this season (4.5 games).
The Dolphins performed well after missing one game. weeks under McDaniel, winning every one of their matches.
Two games off since 2022. This could be another streak that continues this season, especially as the Colts could prepare for their Week 8 divisional clash with Houston.
While the Cardinals’ defense was able to slow down Miami’s explosive offense, the Dolphins had too much talent to lose a home game against a team that finished in a tie. No. 4-13 last season.
New England Patriots
HARDEST | Weeks 4-7: at age 49; against dolphins; against. Texan; at Jaguars (in London)
As mentioned, the Patriots are projected to be the worst team in the NFL this season, and that might not just be due to their lack of talent
With games against With the Bengals , Seahawks and Jets scheduled for the first three games, New England could easily be 0-3 to start this stretch – and likely 0-7 to finish.
Considering how difficult this part of the season will be, the Patriots might be better off keeping rookie QB Drake Maye until at least Week 9 when they travel to Tennessee.
THE EASIEST | Weeks 13-17: vs. Colts; GOODBYE; among the cardinals; at Invoice; vs. Chargers
By no means should any part of New England’s schedule be considered “easy.”
However, if the Patriots can start their Week 14 bye with a home win against Indianapolis, they could build some momentum.
New England’s offensive ball-handling talent is abysmal, but its defense is more than capable of controlling a Cardinals offense that has averaged the ninth-fewest points per game of the season hey (19.4).
The Bills always seem to lose a game to a team they should eliminate, so maybe it will happen in Week 16 (but we won’t hold our breath where).
Meanwhile, it’s hard to predict how the Chargers will look after hiring HC Jim Harbaugh and losing several longtime starters to the offense.
Even so, the fact that the Patriots held Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to 212 passing yards and no passing touchdowns in last season’s Week 13 loss to Los Angeles gives at least a little bit of optimism heading into five games. 2018 in week 17.
Hardest Weeks 15-18: At Jaguars; against ram; at Invoice; vs. Dolphins
After finishing 7-10 in each of the past two seasons, largely due to poor quarterback play, the Jets will be a playoff team in 2024, provided quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains healthy.
However, if New York wants to end the longest playoff drought in North American sports (13 seasons), the city will have to overcome this brutal stretch to finish the year.
Each of these competitors qualified. for the playoffs last season, with the exception of the Jaguars, who still finished above .500.
ToMost likely, this will be New York’s highest scoring game in terms of playoff seeding.
Jacksonville will be in a position to compete with the Jets for a wild card spot, and the AFC East championship will likely come in games against Buffalo and Miami.
THE EASIEST | Weeks 2-5: At Titans; against the patriots; against the Broncos; at Vikings (in London)
The Jets had a tough draw to open the season as they travel to San Francisco, but they are well placed to win their next four games according to.
