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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Stack 'Em: NFL Teams with Favorable Early Schedules In 2024

Free Agency Check - Quarterback ADP Risers and Fallers

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.

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

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

 



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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Christian Barmore

"Dominant" this Spring
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF