The beginning of the common season is not till Sept. 5 (Baltimore at Kansas Metropolis), however we’re already daydreaming about NFL video games that rely.
With groups prepping for mini-camps, we requested Yardbarker NFL writers to dissect schedules and mission a assured loss for each AFC group.
Look out, Las Vegas, and welcome to Loserville.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | at Lions (Dec. 15) | Though QB Josh Allen is 2-0 in opposition to the Lions in his profession, this matchup comes at an inconvenient time for Buffalo, which has a brutal stretch of video games in opposition to the Chiefs, 49ers and Rams earlier than enjoying Detroit. It is attainable the Payments could possibly be waiting for their Weeks 16 and 18 video games with the lowly Patriots by the point their sport with the Lions comes round.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | at Browns (Dec. 29) | It is clear the Dolphins do not play nicely in chilly climate, which might show disastrous for the group as a result of its closing two regular-season video games are at Cleveland and on the New York Jets. Cleveland needs to be the colder setting, and if it is 40 levels Fahrenheit or under on sport day, it will likely be a problem for the Dolphins. Miami has misplaced its previous 11 video games when the temperature is that frigid.
NEW YORK JETS | vs. Payments (Oct. 14) | The Payments have not gained their previous two street video games in opposition to New York, one thing the group is definitely conscious of and positioned to vary. The Jets won’t be the inferior group, however Buffalo could possibly be too difficult an opponent to beat simply eight days after New York returns from enjoying Minnesota in Frankfurt, Germany.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | at Jaguars (Oct. 20) | There have been loads of choices to select from as a result of New England is projected to win simply 4.5 video games this season, however its Week 7 journey to London stands out. Other than the journey schedule and time-zone adjustment, the Patriots will face a Jaguars group that will not take care of the identical points, as Jacksonville can be on the second leg of back-to-back video games in London. — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | at Seahawks (Sept. 8) | Determine on the Broncos, most likely led by rookie QB Bo Nix making his first NFL begin, dropping their third straight season opener. Denver has misplaced two of its previous three matchups in opposition to Seattle.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | vs. Bengals ( Sept. 15) | Bengals QB Joe Burrow is 3-1 in opposition to Kansas Metropolis’s Patrick Mahomes within the common season and playoffs. Burrow missed seven video games with a proper wrist harm final season, however Professional Soccer Focus’ Trevor Sikkema charges him because the third-best QB within the NFL. Don’t be shocked if he earns one other assertion win in opposition to Mahomes.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | at Ravens (Sept. 15) | Whether or not Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew II wins the beginning QB job, don’t financial institution on both jump-starting an offense that ranked twenty third within the league in factors (19.5 PPG) final season. Vegas will most likely wrestle to maintain up with Baltimore, which completed fourth within the league in factors (28.4) in 2023.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | at Chiefs (Dec. 8) | New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh ought to assist L.A. enhance, however FanDuel provides the Chiefs the perfect odds (-230) to win the AFC West. Plus, the Chargers have misplaced two of their previous three video games at Arrowhead Stadium and 5 straight in opposition to Kansas Metropolis. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | at Steelers (Nov. 17) | The Ravens have misplaced seven of their previous eight video games in opposition to the Steelers, and that development will possible proceed of their first assembly of the 2024 season. This Week 11 street sport comes on the finish of a troublesome four-game stretch that features divisional video games in opposition to the Browns and Bengals, so Baltimore could also be hobbling into Pittsburgh.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | at Browns (Oct. 20) | The Bengals can be a significantly better group in 2024 with QB Joe Burrow coming back from harm, however he has struggled in opposition to the Browns in his profession (1-5). Blame the offensive line for woes in opposition to Cleveland for Burrow, who has been sacked 20 occasions within the six conferences.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | vs. Cowboys (Sept. 8) | The Browns might catch loads of groups unexpectedly, however that isn’t occurring in Week 1 in opposition to the Cowboys. The standing of QB Deshaun Watson and RB Nick Chubb — each of whom are recovering from accidents — is up within the air. Even when they do play, they are going to possible must shake off loads of rust first.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | at Eagles (Dec. 15) | The battle for Pennsylvania has not gone nicely lately for the Steelers, who’ve misplaced two of the previous three conferences and gotten outscored 98-54 in these video games. This Week 15 street sport additionally comes throughout Pittsburgh’s brutal closing two-month stretch when it has all six AFC North matchups. — Aaron Becker
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | vs. Ravens (Dec. 25) | Baltimore has change into Houston’s new Achilles’ heel. The Texans went 0-2 in opposition to the Ravens final season, shedding by 24 and 16 factors, and till Houston can present it may be extra aggressive in opposition to elite groups, this sport needs to be thought-about a loss for the Texans.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | vs. Lions (Nov. 24) | Detroit may be the worst stylistic matchup on Indy’s 2024 schedule. The Lions throw the ball everywhere in the discipline and have weapons (WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, TE Sam LaPorta and RB Jahmyr Gibbs) some groups can solely dream of. The Colts don’t have sufficient firepower within the secondary to carry Detroit beneath 30 factors.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | at Eagles (Nov. 3) | The Jaguars don’t usually fare nicely in opposition to top-tier quarterbacks, as solely two of their 9 wins final season got here in opposition to top-15 QBs. Jalen Hurts is a dual-threat QB who presents myriad issues for Jacksonville’s underwhelming go protection, which ranked twenty sixth final season.
TENNESSEE TITANS | vs. Packers (Sept. 22) | An ascending star QB, three legit weapons at receiver, one of many high operating backs within the NFL — this sport has catastrophe written throughout it for the Titans. Tennessee’s secondary is improved after including CBs L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, however the go rush isn’t nearly as good because it was final season after shedding main sacker Denico Autry, who’s now with the Texans. Plus, the Titans’ run protection could have its fingers full in opposition to Josh Jacobs, the previous Raider. — Michael Gallagher
