The 2024 NFL schedule was released Wednesday night. We’ve known the opponents for each team since the regular season’s end, but now each week is set.
Going into the 2024 campaign, the AFC is about who can catch the Kansas City Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes and Co. have reached the Super Bowl four of the last five years, including three titles and back-to-back championships.
Looking at the league-wide slate, there are a few teams that have the best shot of dethroning the champs, whether it be because of head-to-head battles, or a favorable schedule.
Let’s break down each AFC team with record predictions.
Baltimore Ravens: 11–6
Wins: vs. Bengals, vs. Browns, vs. Steelers, vs. Broncos, vs. Raiders, vs. Commanders, vs. Bills, at Browns, at Chargers, at Giants, at Buccaneers
Losses: vs. Eagles, at Bengals, at Steelers, at Cowboys, at Chiefs, at Texans
The Ravens have a tough schedule, largely because they play in the conference’s toughest division. They also have tough road dates with the Chiefs and Cowboys. However, Baltimore does have a manageable home slate with the Commanders, Raiders and Broncos all coming to M&T Bank Stadium. Expect the Ravens to be a force again.
Buffalo Bills: 10–7
Wins: vs. Dolphins, vs. Jets, vs. Patriots, vs. Cardinals, vs. Jaguars, vs. Titans, at Patriots, at Jets, at Colts, at Seahawks
Losses: at Dolphins, at Texans, at Rams, at Ravens, at Lions, vs. Chiefs, vs. 49ers
The divisional slate for the Bills is difficult, but the nondivisional schedule is very challenging. Buffalo has to face both Super Bowl participants from a year ago in the Chiefs and 49ers, along with road tilts against the Rams, Texans, Seahawks, Ravens and Lions.
Cincinnati Bengals: 12–5
Wins: vs. Ravens, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, vs. Raiders, vs. Commanders, vs. Patriots, at Steelers, at Chargers, at Giants, at Titans, at Panthers, at Chiefs
Losses: vs. Eagles, vs. Steelers, at Ravens, at Browns, at Cowboys
While last year was a slog for the Bengals due to Joe Burrow’s injuries, things are looking up for Cincinnati. Because of the down season, Burrow and Co. have a last-place schedule, making their docket much easier than most other AFC contenders. The Bengals could be a threat for the conference’s top seed.
Cleveland Browns: 9–8
Wins: vs. Bengals, vs. Steelers, vs. Chargers, vs. Giants, vs. Dolphins, vs. Cowboys, at Broncos, at Commanders, at Saints
Losses: vs. Ravens, vs. Chiefs, at Bengals, at Ravens, at Steelers, at Raiders, at Eagles, at Jaguars
The Browns will be fighting for a playoff spot, and there are a few games to keep a close eye on that could swing things. Their road games with the Saints and Jaguars could be key, specifically Jacksonville, a potential key tiebreaker. Cleveland also needs to at least split within the AFC North.
Denver Broncos: 2–15
Wins: vs. Raiders, vs. Panthers
Losses: vs. Chiefs, vs. Chargers, vs. Falcons, vs. Browns, vs. Steelers, vs. Colts, at Chiefs, at Raiders, at Chargers, at Ravens, at Bengals, at Saints, at Buccaneers, at Jets, at Seahawks
Are the Broncos going to win a road game this year? The schedule isn’t fun, but the roster is even more dire. Denver has a chance to have the No. 1 pick, and how it does away from home could determine that outcome. It’s likely going to be a long year for the Broncos.
Houston Texans: 11–6
Wins: vs. Colts, vs. Titans, at Jaguars, vs. Bills, vs. Bears, vs. Lions, vs. Dolphins, vs. Ravens, at Titans, at Vikings, at Patriots
Losses: vs. Jaguars, at Colts, at Packers, at Jets, at Chiefs, at Cowboys
The Texans are rightfully getting plenty of love going into 2024, but the schedule is brutal. Outside of the AFC South games, Houston will play the Chiefs, Packers and Jets on the road along with the Bills, Dolphins, Lions, Steelers and Bears all visiting NRG Stadium. It won’t be an easy road to defending the division title.
Indianapolis Colts: 8–9
Wins: vs. Texans, vs. Jaguars, vs. Titans, vs. Bears, vs. Steelers, at Patriots, at Broncos, at Giants
Losses: at Texans, at Jaguars, at Titans, vs. Bills, vs. Lions, vs. Dolphins, at Packers, at Vikings, at Jets
The Colts have a chance to compete for the AFC South or win a wild-card spot. That said, having to contend with the AFC East and NFC North divisions will make things problematic. For Indianapolis, the key could be handling a tough home slate including dates with Buffalo, Miami, Detroit and Chicago.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 10–7
Wins: vs. Colts, vs. Titans, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, vs. Browns, at Texans, at Raiders, at Bears
Losses: vs. Texans, at Colts, at Titans, at Bills, at Lions, at Dolphins, at Eagles
The Jaguars are looking to bounce back after falling apart after an 8–3 start in 2023. For Jacksonville, it has a second-place schedule, including games with the Eagles, Raiders and Browns. If the Jaguars are going to overtake Houston and win the AFC South crown, winning at least two of those three games is paramount.
Kansas CIty Chiefs: 14–3
Wins: vs. Broncos, vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, vs. Ravens, vs. Saints, vs. Texans, at Broncos, at Raiders, at Chargers, at Falcons, at Panthers, at Browns, at Steelers, at Bills
Losses: vs. Bengals, vs. Buccaneers, at 49ers
There will be no shortage of marquee games on the Chiefs’ schedule. Kansas City has the Bills, Texans, 49ers, Bengals and Ravens on the nondivisional docket, along with road dates against the Browns and Steelers. While the strength of schedule isn’t too difficult based on the six AFC West games, the Chiefs don’t have a cakewalk.
Las Vegas Raiders: 5–12
Wins: vs. Broncos, vs. Chargers, vs. Panthers, vs. Browns, at Buccaneers
Losses: vs. Chiefs, vs. Falcons, vs. Steelers, vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, at Broncos, at Chargers, at Ravens, at Bengals, at Saints, at Dolphins, at Rams
The Raiders have a handful of winnable games on their schedule, but how often are they going to have the advantage under center? That’s the big problem for Las Vegas in the macro sense, and also a bit of good news considering the NFC South and AFC North only have two combined star quarterbacks.
Los Angeles Chargers: 8–9
Wins: vs. Broncos, vs. Raiders, vs. Saints, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Titans, at Broncos, at Panthers, at Patriots
Losses: vs. Chiefs, vs. Ravens, vs. Bengals, at Chiefs, at Raiders, at Cardinals, at Falcons, at Browns, at Steelers
For years, the Chargers have always been an offseason darling, perpetually overrated and overhyped. This season, they have a chance to be a bit better than expected largely because they play a fourth-place schedule. Los Angeles will see the Titans, Cardinals and Patriots, along with a quartet of winnable games against the Raiders and Broncos.
Miami Dolphins: 9–8
Wins: vs. Bills, vs. Patriots, vs. Cardinals, vs. Jaguars, vs. Titans, vs. Raiders, at Jets, at Colts, at Rams
Losses: vs. Jets, vs. 49ers, at Bills, at Patriots, at Texans, at Seahawks, at Browns, at Packers
The Dolphins are in their third year under head coach Mike McDaniel, and they’re hoping to advance to the playoffs for the first time. It won’t be easy, with road games against the Texans, Seahawks, Rams, Packers, Bills and Jets. The big key for Miami could be at least splitting those games.
New England Patriots: 4–13
Wins: vs. Jets, vs. Dolphins, vs. Seahawks, at Cardinals
Losses: vs. Bills, vs. Texans, vs. Colts, vs. Rams, vs. Chargers, at Dolphins, at Jets, at Bills, at Jaguars, at 49ers, at Titans, at Bengals, at Bears
This is a relaunch for the Patriots, who have a new coach, general manager and quarterback. If New England wins only a few games but Drake Maye looks like a star, that’s success. Looking at the schedule, the Patriots will need to be tough at home and maybe steal a few on the road.
New York Jets: 9-8
Wins: vs. Patriots, vs. Texans, vs. Colts, vs. Rams, vs. Seahawks, vs. Broncos, at Dolphins, at Cardinals, at Titans
Losses: vs. Bills, vs. Dolphins, at Bills, at Patriots, at Jaguars, at 49ers, at Steelers, at Vikings
The Jets have expectations once again after adding linemen and receiver Mike Williams around Aaron Rodgers. And with a third-place schedule, New York will have an opportunity to get a few wins against opponents such as the Vikings, Broncos and Steelers. If the Jets are going to make a push for the AFC East crown, those have to be victories.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9–8
Wins: vs. Browns, vs. Ravens, vs. Chargers, vs. Giants, vs. Jets, at Bengals, at Broncos, at Raiders, at Commanders
Losses: vs. Bengals, vs. Cowboys, vs. Chiefs, at Ravens, at Browns, at Colts, at Eagles, at Falcons
The Steelers have a brutal schedule, largely because they play in the AFC North. They also have the Cowboys, Eagles, Chiefs and Chargers. However, only Philadelphia is a road game, and that’s a short trip. Pittsburgh has a chance to make a divisional push, and reach the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.
Tennessee Titans: 5–12
Wins: vs. Jaguars, vs. Colts, vs. Vikings, vs. Patriots, at Commanders
Losses: vs. Texans, vs. Packers, vs. Jets, vs. Bengals, at Texans, at Colts, at Jaguars, at Bills, at Bears, at Lions, at Dolphins, at Chargers
The Titans have fully revamped their offensive arsenal with receivers Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley, and running back Tony Pollard. Facing a last-place schedule, Tennessee has a chance to be competitive if second-year quarterback Will Levis steps up. The Titans do have a tough road slate, though, including the Dolphins, Bills, Texans, Jaguars, Bears and Lions.
