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Taking a look at a team's early schedule can be a useful tool when deciding who to draft. Aidin Ebrahimi looks at four teams with favorable early schedules in the 2024 season.
We're now just a few weeks away from the start of the preseason, and the 2024 regular season will be here before you even know it. While drafting players for our fantasy teams, looking at a team's schedule can be a helpful tool to determine which players are poised for breakout seasons.
Yes, it shouldn't be the be-all and end-all when we're assessing a player, as there are so many factors that go into a player's performance in a season. But this is one of those factors. Looking at weak schedules is especially helpful early in the season, before injuries, trades, and other roster moves change a team's overall ability.
Without further ado, let's look at four teams with slightly favorable schedules in the first four games of the 2024 NFL season, according to the opposition's defensive ability.
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Carolina Panthers
After almost making the playoffs in 2022, the Panthers traded for the first overall pick, which they then used to draft Bryce Young. They had playoff ambitions due to their weak division but had a nightmare 2023 season, finishing with just two wins. They managed to score 20+ points in just four games, and Young was arguably the worst rookie QB in the league last season.
However, the team has improved drastically compared to 2023. With a young new head coach and better receivers, the Panthers can take a big leap forward in 2024. They're still not good enough to make the playoffs, but they can easily return to their 2022 form, especially if they can beat the teams in their early schedule.
Just gonna leave this here 😏 pic.twitter.com/ATudKmxg7Y
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 20, 2024
They'll kick the season off against the Saints, who have gotten older and their defense fell off near the end of last season. Their defense is also going through an injury crisis, with many players such as Chase Young being put on the PUP list. They'll then face off against the Chargers, one of the worst defenses in the league (28th in yards allowed), before facing the Raiders (15th) and the Bengals (31st).
The Raiders' defense is good and might give Bryce Young a few headaches, but the Bengals have never had good defenses in the Joe Burrow era. The Panthers can take advantage of this schedule and score many points in at least three of these four games.
(Players worth taking a look at: Bryce Young, Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, Miles Sanders, Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Ja'Tavion Sanders)
Green Bay Packers
The Packers were expected to take a step back in 2023 after the departure of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, and the team wasn't in a good place after a 2-5 start. Jordan Love had a passer rating of 78.2 up to that point, and it was looking more and more likely that the Packers would need to find a new QB.
But then, Love and the Packers turned things around and made it to the Divisional Round. Now, they are viewed as the Lions' biggest challengers in the NFC North. Beating the Lions won't be easy, so they must make the most out of their early schedule.
Real ones remember this iconic TD from Wicks.
Let's get this season started already. 🥱 pic.twitter.com/sWfzlJXSOT
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) July 19, 2024
They'll start the season against the Eagles in the S.C. Corinthians Paulista Arena in São Paulo. Philly's defense allowed the third-most points in the league last year, and while it has improved, it's still nowhere near what it was in 2022. The Packers will then face two AFC South rivals, the Colts and the Titans.
The Colts have a poor defense (25th in points per drive last year), and the Titans aren't much better (21st). They'll wrap up this stretch against the Vikings, who finished 18th in that category and 24th in passing yards allowed. Jordan Love owners will have a blast in the first four weeks assuming no one gets injured.
(Players worth taking a look at: Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft)
Houston Texans
The Texans started the 2023 season with the joint-lowest Super Bowl odds (+20000), and after an 0-2 start, they looked set for another three or four-win season. But seemingly out of nowhere, C.J. Stroud went on to have one of the best rookie seasons ever, and the Texans found themselves in the playoffs as AFC South champions.
They even beat the Browns in the playoffs, and the future is bright in Houston. After the additions of Joe Mixon and Stefon Diggs, the Texans are one of the favorites to lift the Lombardi trophy in New Orleans.
Back in Lucas Oil Week 1 to Wreck some Dreams 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/aQvjldOk8J
— Jacob (@Stroud4AllPro) May 23, 2024
Going from having the worst odds to win the Super Bowl to one of the best in just one year is an extraordinary accomplishment. While they might not be ready to win the Super Bowl yet, C.J. Stroud can win the MVP award, especially if he can beat the easy opponents in front of him early in the season.
They'll face off against the aforementioned Colts and Vikings, and sandwiched between these games is a game against the Bears. Chicago was ranked 17th in points per drive and isn't a terrible defense, but they shouldn't be too hard to beat for Stroud. Their fourth game will be against the Jaguars (22nd in yards allowed), and they gave up 37 points to the Texans last year in Stroud's first-ever NFL win.
(Players worth taking a look at: C.J. Stroud, Joe Mixon, Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Noah Brown, Robert Woods, Dalton Schultz)
Washington Commanders
Not much is expected from the Commanders heading into 2024. They had a pretty good start after handing the keys to Sam Howell last year, but their dream start quickly turned into a nightmare as they lost each of their last eight games.
They went through a complete rebuild in the offseason, sending Howell to Seattle and drafting Jayden Daniels in his place. They also hired a new head coach—former Falcons HC Dan Quinn—and a new coaching staff that includes former Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury.
#Bucs RB Raachad White spoke about facing his former ASU teammate Jayden Daniels and the #Commanders in Week 1:
“His [Jaydens] first loss will come from me."
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) June 21, 2024
Washington is looking for a new start after the Dan Snyder era, but they'll have to wait a while until they can return to the playoffs. For now, they'll have to see if Daniels can put points on the board against weak defenses. They'll open the season against the Buccaneers, who are experts at stopping the run, but very weak in pass defense (29th in passing yards allowed).
They'll then face the Giants (27th in total yards allowed), the aforementioned Bengals, and finally the Cardinals who allowed the second-most points per drive last season. This is a good opportunity for Daniels to prove himself to the Commanders and the rest of the NFL world.
(Players worth taking a look at: Jayden Daniels, Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, Ben Sinnott)
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