Here’s one thing every NFL team hopes they get out of the 2024 schedule
• 3 min read
The NFL schedule release is now just hours away. Soon enough, we’ll have the full view of how the 2024 regular season will look. While we teams have known their opponents for the past few months after last year came to a close, when these games take place is a major piece of the puzzle.
Naturally, that means clubs do have some preference on how the schedule shakes out. That could revolve around wanting a certain number of primetime games, less cross-country travel, and when they want certain marquee games to land on the calendar. In that spirit, we’re going to go rapid fire across the NFL and identify one wish each team may have for how the 2024 schedule unfolds.
Arizona Cardinals
- To face the Patriots or Commanders at home in Week 1 for a winnable game out of the gate.
Atlanta Falcons
- Minimal exposure to primetime games to avoid Kirk Cousins‘ struggles on that national stage.
Baltimore Ravens
- Early stretch of divisional games to build up lead in AFC North.
Buffalo Bills
- Home games backloaded to late in the season to capitalize on Buffalo weather.
Carolina Panthers
- To host the Giants in Munich, Germany for best chance of getting an international win.
Chicago Bears
- Back-to-back-to-back games vs. the Commanders (Jayden Daniels), Vikings (J.J. McCarthy) and Patriots (Drake Maye) so Caleb Williams can flash his potential against draft classmates.
Cincinnati Bengals
- String of below .500 teams (Broncos, Giants, Panthers, Patriots, etc.) to begin the year for Joe Burrow to shake off rust.
Cleveland Browns
- To have the bulk of home games down the stretch (Cleveland was 8-1 at home in 2023).
Dallas Cowboys
- To host the Houston Texans on Thanksgiving.
Denver Broncos
- For one of their Chiefs games to fall on Week 18 (possibly resting starters).
Detroit Lions
- Face the San Francisco 49ers following a bye week.
Green Bay Packers
- Host the Dolphins late in the season to take advantage of cold weather at Lambeau Field.
Houston Texans
- Host the Bills early in the season for Stefon Diggs matchup vs. former team.
Indianapolis Colts
- Avoid an international trip (Jaguars and Vikings are set to host an international game in 2024).
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Easier opponents at the backend of the season to avoid another collapse.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Mid-to-late season bye week.
Las Vegas Raiders
- To face the Saints (Derek Carr) in primetime in New Orleans.
Los Angeles Chargers
- The Harbaugh Bowl to be in primetime.
Los Angeles Rams
- Face the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving (Matthew Stafford’s revenge game?).
Miami Dolphins
- Hope they avoid cold weather games late in the year.
Minnesota Vikings
- Host the Falcons in a primetime window for Kirk Cousins’ homecoming.
New England Patriots
- Easy stretch of opponents to create a soft landing spot for Drake Maye to start strong.
New Orleans Saints
- Host Sean Payton on Thursday Night Football.
New York Giants
- Spread out the games vs. Dallas, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Cincinnati.
New York Jets
- Late season trips to Miami and Jacksonville to avoid summer heat.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Avoid a short week and/or tough opponent after West Coast trip vs. Rams.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Avoid two “Thursday Night Football” games unlike in 2023.
San Francisco 49ers
- Not too many primetime games (face several high-profile opponents).
Seattle Seahawks
- To not play an International Game vs. Bears and endure a Seattle to London flight.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Open the 2024 season vs. Falcons to set the tone in the NFC South.
Tennessee Titans
- Host the Bengals (Brian Callahan’s former team) after the bye week.
Washington Commanders
- Cowboys and Eagles games later in the year to allow Jayden Daniels to ease into the league before bouts with division rivals.
