Here are the hardest (and easiest) four-game sequences for every AFC East team, as revealed by the NFL’s 2024 schedule.
Weeks 11–15: Buffalo Bills TOUGHEST | at the Chiefs; BYE; against the 49ers; at the Rams; at the Lions
After cutting ties with a number of veterans this offseason, including its top two wide receivers, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Buffalo is considered a regression prospect. Although it’s hard to predict if the Bills will be worse in 2024, it will be during this time that we’ll learn more about them.
Even though Bills quarterback Josh Allen had an overall 8-1 record in the regular season versus these teams, they were all able to advance to the postseason last year, with Kansas City and San Francisco making it all the way to Super Bowl LVIII. The tone for their next three games will be established by their much awaited Week 11 encounter with the Chiefs.
It wouldn’t be shocking if Buffalo goes 1-3 during this span if they lose going into the bye.
EASIEST | Weeks 7–10: at Seahawks, against Dolphins, at Colts, versus Titans
Luckily for the Bills, the easiest part of their schedule is right before the arduous schedule of games. Though both Seattle and Tennessee are led by first-year head coaches, the Bills should have an advantage because of their expertise. Tennessee and Seattle could prove to be tough opponents.
The Bills and Dolphins will play each other for the second time this season in Week 9. Given that the Dolphins will be seeking retribution after snatching the AFC East championship from Buffalo the previous season, Buffalo may be more vulnerable to losing the Week 2 match at Hard Rock Stadium.
Buffalo won’t likely be swept in the season series, though, if it loses that game. Allen has a lifetime record of 10-2 against Miami, including 6-0 at home.
Furthermore, there’s no assurance that quarterback Anthony Richardson will be healthy by the time the Colts enter the postseason, even though they might be a dark horse contender.
Miami Dolphins: TOUGHEST | Weeks 15–18: at the Jets, at the Texans, at the 49ers, and at the Browns
Even so, HC Since joining the Dolphins, Mike McDaniel has established himself as one of the top offensive brains in football; nevertheless, if his team struggles over this period, he may find himself in a heated situation.
Miami might very possibly have a late-season collapse in 2024, as it did in the previous two seasons.
The Dolphins’ final four games will be against three 2023 postseason teams, including NFC champion San Francisco. They will also play the redesigned Jets, who ought to be a contender for a postseason berth, in the final game of the season.
Miami has lost its last 11 games when the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so it doesn’t help that its final two games will be played in frigid weather, according to Stathead.
Weeks 4–8: BYE; at the Patriots; against the Titans; at the Colts; against the Cardinals
Tennessee is undoubtedly already marked on the Dolphins’ calendars. The Titans became the first team in NFL history to lead by 14 points with less than 2:55 remaining and win without overtime when Miami imploded spectacularly in Week 14 of the previous season.
If the Dolphins get off to another big lead, it’s difficult to imagine they’ll lose by that much again.
Despite his shortcomings as a quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa has been New England’s number one player his entire career, going 6-0 while starting against them. Given that the Patriots have the lowest predicted win total (4.5 wins) among all teams this season, that winning streak ought to continue.
Under McDaniel, the Dolphins have performed admirably after taking a week off, winning both of their games after their bye since 2022. Given that the Colts may be anticipating their divisional matchup with Houston in Week 8, that could be another streak that lasts this season.
Miami’s powerful attack could be slowed down by the Cardinals defense, but the Dolphins have too much talent to lose at home to a team that went 4-13 the previous year.
Patriots of New England
TOUGHEST | Weeks 4–7: at the Jaguars (in London); against the Texans; at the 49ers; and vs the Dolphins
As previously said, the Patriots are predicted to finish last in the NFL this season, and their lack of talent may not be the only factor.
With its first three games against the Bengals, Seahawks, and Jets planned, New England might start this run 0-3 and finish 0-7 at the most.
The Patriots might be better off holding off on starting rookie quarterback Drake Maye until at least Week 9, when they visit Tennessee, given how difficult this part of the season will be.
EASIEST | Weeks 13–17: at the Bills; at the Cardinals; at the Colts; BYE
No stretch on New England’s schedule should ever be regarded as “easy.” But the Patriots could gain some momentum if they can defeat Indianapolis at home before their Week 14 bye.
Despite having pitiful offensive capabilities, New England’s defense can hold the Cardinals attack, which finished the previous season with the ninth-lowest point total (19.4), under check.
Maybe in Week 16 the Bills will defeat a club they should easily defeat, as they have a tendency to do. However, we won’t hold our breath.
The Chargers lost a number of dependable offensive mainstays and hired head coach Jim Harbaugh, so it’s difficult to forecast how they will appear in the interim. Nevertheless, there is at least some hope going into their Week 17 meeting because the Patriots held Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to 212 passing yards and zero touchdowns in their Week 13 loss to Los Angeles last season.
Weeks 15–18: at Jaguars; vs. Rams; at Bills; vs. Dolphins; New York Jets TOUGHEST
The Jets are predicted to make the playoffs in 2024, if quarterback Aaron Rodgers stays healthy, after finishing 7-10 in each of the previous two seasons, mostly as a result of subpar quarterback performance.
Nevertheless, New York needs to make it through this difficult final stretch of the season if it hopes to end the longest active postseason drought in North American sports (13 seasons).
All of these opponents, with the exception of the Jaguars, who still finished above.500, qualified for the playoffs the previous season. This will probably be New York’s most significant stretch of games in terms of playoff seeding.
Jacksonville ought to be competing with the Jets for a wild-card berth, and the AFC East title may be at stake in the teams’ games against Buffalo and Miami.
EASIEST | Weeks 2–5: at Vikings (in London); against Patriots; at Titans; vs. Broncos
The Jets’ season opener against the San Francisco 49ers is a difficult draw, but they have a good chance to win their following four games.
Tennessee has made progress this offseason on both sides of the ball, but it’s hard to predict how second-year quarterback Will Levis will perform against New York’s top defense, which was third in yards allowed in 2023.
After that, if Maye of New England and J.J. McCarthy of Minnesota have not yet secured starting jobs, New York may have to play three rookie quarterbacks in a succession.
Should they fail to do so, the Jets will open with seasoned quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Jacoby Brissett, who shouldn’t give them any trouble.
