X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

2024 NFL Schedule Winners and Losers

RotoBaller breaks down the biggest winners and losers of the 2024 NFL schedule release. Which teams face an easy or difficult road in the 2024 NFL season?

After getting bits and pieces of the 2024 NFL schedule over the last few days, Roger Goodell and company have finally dropped the entire slate for the upcoming season.

We still have nearly four months to sort through the entirety of this year's schedule, and while we will continue to focus in the microscope on the strengths and weaknesses of each NFL team's road ahead, it's always fun to share some instant reactions when the whole schedule is first made available to football fans.

Below, you'll find our initial reaction to the 2024 NFL schedule release. We've included our biggest "winners" and "losers" of the complicated labyrinth that includes home games, road trips, and the strength of opponents teams will face in the upcoming season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Winner - Los Angeles Chargers

Playing the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs twice a year certainly isn't a cakewalk, but L.A.'s other two divisional opponents - the Raiders and Broncos - don't exactly strike fear in anyone's hearts in their current forms. With Jim Harbaugh now at the helm and pushing a new hard-nosed philosophy, it's very possible the Bolts could find success right away...especially when taking their 2024 schedule into account.

Harbaugh and company will face the entirety of the NFC South as part of their out-of-conference schedule. Trips to Carolina and Atlanta and home matchups with New Orleans and Tampa Bay all seem like winnable games. Their toughest game outside of the division will be the "Harbaugh Bowl" in a Monday matchup at home in Week 12. Perhaps the highlight of the Chargers schedule is the last month of the season. If L.A. enters the home stretch on the borderline of playoff contention - a spot where they've firmly resided the last several years - they close the '24 campaign with a favorable trio of opponents in the Broncos, Patriots, and Raiders.

 

Winner - Atlanta Falcons

The offseason firing of Arthur Smith and the signing of Kirk Cousins signals the Falcons feel they are in "win now mode" (we won't talk about the NFL Draft). Their 2024 schedule looks as though they could do just that. After an admittedly tough opening stretch against the Steelers, Eagles, and Chiefs things really open up for the Birds, as after the first month of the season they face opponents with the lowest combined 2023 winning percentage on this year's schedule and just two teams that managed winning records last year!

Divisional opponents - Carolina, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay - are never an easy "W", though Atlanta compares favorably to the rest of the always-crazy NFC South on paper. After the first month of the season, all of the Falcons' toughest non-division games (Seattle, Dallas, L.A. Chargers) are at home, while they could face at least three rookie QBs (Minnesota, Denver, Washington) in the away portion of the schedule.

 

Winner - New York Jets

Obviously, the health and performance of QB Aaron Rodgers - who is returning from an Achilles injury that cost him all of 2023 - will be the ultimate factor in how successful the Jets are in 2024, but the schedule makers did Gang Green a few solids for the forthcoming campaign, most notably the opening stretch of the year.

Though they kick off 2024 with a brutal matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, New York still has a chance for a fast start, as their next four opponents (Titans, Patriots, Broncos, Vikings) sported a combined 25-43 record last year. The Jets' toughest 2024 road games come against divisional opponents and they also get the juicy perk of a closing stretch that includes hosting two West Coast squads (Seattle & L.A. Rams) in 1 pm ET home games following a Week 12 bye.

 

Loser - Pittsburgh Steelers

If there is one undeniable loser of the 2024 schedule, it's almost universally agreed to be Pittsburgh. The Steelers have tried to revamp their offense during the offseason by bringing in not only a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith but also two new QBs in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. After taking a look at their brutal 2024 schedule, which some pundits are calling the toughest in league history, it might not matter if Pittsburgh had Patrick Mahomes under center.

Mike Tomlin and company will spend almost the entire first month of the season on the road, as they draw only one home game in their first four contests of 2024. Believe it or not, things actually get worse for the Steelers as the season goes along! Pittsburgh's first divisional game isn't until Week 11, which means six of their last eight games will be against the Ravens, Bengals, and Browns. Their other two opponents in the last month of the season? The Chiefs and Eagles. Thoughts and prayers to those who wave the Terrible Towel in 2024.

 

Loser - Cleveland Browns

Maybe Steelers fans can take some solace in the fact that they weren't the only AFC North squad to receive rugged treatment from the NFL schedule makers. After veteran Joe Flacco led the Browns to a Cinderella-type appearance in the NFL Playoffs last season, Cleveland could turn back into a pumpkin quickly in 2024.

Based on their opponents' 2023 records, Cleveland has the toughest schedule in the NFL this season. Not only do they face non-divisional powerhouses such as the Cowboys, Eagles, Chiefs, and Dolphins, but they'll be on the road for four of their first six games of the year - a stretch that includes three consecutive road games in Weeks 4, 5, and 6.

Though that stretch is followed by a three-game homestand, there are no guarantees against the Bengals, Ravens, and Chargers. Finally, the Brownies will play five of their last eight away from the Dawg Pound, while each of their last five opponents of 2024 made the NFL Playoffs last year.

 

Loser - Jacksonville Jaguars

Following a breakout 2022, the Jags and Trevor Lawrence looked primed to dominate the AFC South for years. However, with the emergence of Houston's C.J. Stroud, the potential of Indy's Anthony Richardson, and a revamped offensive system in Tennessee, the road to a division title suddenly looks a lot more difficult for Jacksonville.

Doug Pederson's bunch won't find much solace in their 2024 schedule. Jacksonville is the only team in the NFL with two international games on their schedule, which means they're the only team in the league with only seven games in their true home stadium. Thanks to that two-week residence in London across Weeks 6 & 7, the Jaguars will play in Duval County just four times over the first three months of the season. As if that lack of home-field advantage weren't enough, Jacksonville must travel to a pair of the NFL's most challenging environments for prime time games, going on the road to Buffalo for a Monday Night Football matchup and to Philadelphia for a Sunday Night Football tilt.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP