There already was a fair indication of schedule strength based on how good or bad each team’s opponents were last season, from division foes to interconference rotation, but when and where each game is played can matter quite a bit, too.
With that in mind, we break down who got favorable and unfavorable draws from the schedule-makers in 2024.
MORE: Best games on the 2024 NFL schedule for all 32 teamsNFL schedule release winners & losers 2024
Winners: Green Bay Packers
The Packers might seem to have a tough schedule based on their opponents combining to go 152-137 (.526) last season, but after the tough prime-time neutral start against the Eagles in Sao Paulo in Week 1
, they can get on a roll before facing the Texans in Lambeau in Week 7.
The Packers do need to navigate a nasty Week 12-13-14 stretch transitioning from November to December, as they face the 49ers, Dolphins, and Lions in successive weeks, but the first two are at home and they also have a manageable final month.
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Losers: Dallas Cowboys
Playing at the Browns in Week 1 is a rough start for an offense with some key questions. The Saints are a solid home opener in Week 2, but they also play the Ravens, Steelers, and Lions before a Week 6 bye — with a short-week trip to the Giants in that mix.
The Cowboys travel to the 49ers right after the bye. Both Eagles games are in the second half, in Weeks 10 and 17. There also are two brutal Monday night home against AFC powers Houston and Cincinnati. The Buccaneers’ Sunday nighter in Week 16 is also tricky. Just getting to 10 wins will be tough, setting up the Cowboys to slide out of first place in the NFC East.
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Winners: Detroit Lions
Consider the Lions started at the Chiefs in the latter’s Super Bowl defense last season, winning the game to set in motion a breakthrough 12-5 season. They can get hot early opening at home in back-to-back playoff rematches with the Rams and Buccaneers. Then come the Cardinals and Seahawks, setting up the Lions to be 4-0 before facing the Cowboys post-bye in Week 6.
The Lions do also face the 49ers, Bills, and Texans outside the division, but like the Packers, also can go to work on the weaker parts of the NFC West and AFC South.
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Losers: Cleveland Browns
The Browns step into the marquee early vs. the Cowboys, and the toughest schedule based on 2023 opponents really hits them hard after a favorable month post-Dallas. From Week 6 to Week 9, the Eagles, Bengals, Ravens, and Chargers all await.
Their two Steelers games come after the Week 10 bye, as well as the Bengals and Ravens rematches. In Weeks 15 and 17, the Browns also need to face the Dolphins and Chiefs. Ouch.
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Losers: Baltimore Ravens
The AFC North will not be having three playoff teams, and a few advantages might be enough to put the Steelers and Bengals in the most favorable positions late. The Ravens see the Chiefs right away in Week 1 on the road. After a sweet Week 2 home opener vs. the Raiders, then it’s at Cowboys, vs. Bills, and at Bengals.
Week 10 through Week 13 brings on another rough patch against the Bengals, Steelers, Chargers, and Eagles. They also face the Texans on the road on Christmas, sandwiched between Steelers and Browns rematches.
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Winners: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ level of relevance for the 2024 season saw an exponential increase with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh. The NFL is doing its best to make Harbaugh lead a quick turnaround.
Opening against the Raiders and Panthers allows the Chargers to start 2-0 before facing the Steelers at home and Chiefs on the road. After a Week 5 bye, there’s a solid rebound stretch of Broncos-Cardinals-Saints. The Titans, Falcons, Patriots, Raiders, and Broncos balance out facing all of the AFC North, which the entire AFC West has to do anyway. The Harbaugh Bowl vs. the Ravens in Week 12
might have huge playoff implications.
MORE: Chargers schedule reveal video drawing rave reviews
Losers: Houston Texans
The NFL did one of the season’s most hyped teams a big favor early, letting the Texans open on the easy side with the Colts, Bears, Vikings, and Jaguars in the first month before a home battle with the Bills in Week 5. But that means the schedule is badly backloaded against them.
In Week 7 through Week 11, Houston plays at Green Bay, at the Jets, vs. Detroit, and at Dallas. The Texans also don’t get a bye until Week 14, after which they go vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, and vs. Ravens before the season finale.
MORE: Full schedule of bye weeks for all 32 NFL teams
Winners: New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers will be in prime time a ton, and the 49ers opener doesn’t get any tougher. But after Week 1, it’s a stretch of at Titans, vs. Patriots. vs. Broncos, and vs. Vikings (in London). After the Bills and Steelers in Week 6 and Week 7, the Patriots, Cardinals, Colts, and Seahawks are four of the next five opponents.
Outside of the division, the Jets also have manageable December affairs at Jacksonville and vs. the Rams. The Jets are set up to at least win a wild card out of the AFC East, assuming Rodgers stays healthy this time in Year 2.
MORE: Teams with most/least prime-time matchups
Losers: New York Giants
The Giants have a sneaky tough slate after what seems OK to start with the Vikings and Commanders. They then play at Browns, vs. Cowboys, at Seahawks, vs. Bengals, vs. Eagles, and at Steelers. Ouch. That sets up the Giants to free-fall out of playoff contention before midseason, and they don’t have a bye until Week 11.
Later, they have rematches with the Cowboys and Eagles, with games vs. the Buccaneers and Ravens also in the mix. Jets fans will have a lot more fun than Big Blue faithful this season.
