2024 NFL schedule release: Bills, Steelers with toughest roads to playoffs due to difficult season slate

The NFL schedule has finally been released, as every team finally knows when they play their opponents (instead of just knowing their opponents on the schedule). Some teams already had a difficult strength of schedule prior to knowing when they were going to face their opponents, making their path to the playoffs even more difficult. 

If these teams are going to make the postseason, they are going to earn it. The schedule did none of these teams any favors, even if these teams are good enough to make the playoffs. 

Which teams have a tough road ahead in 2024? Here are five teams to keep an eye on thanks to their grueling schedule:

The Steelers already had a tough schedule based on the opponents they face, adding to the grueling AFC North slate that features the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns. Here’s a catch, the Steelers don’t play an AFC North opponent until Week 11 — which is where the schedule gets really difficult. 

Pittsburgh plays six AFC North opponents in its final eight games, with the non-division games sandwiched between them being the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers also play the Saturday-Wednesday slate in Weeks 16 and 17 by virtue of playing on Christmas. 

The Steelers also play three of their first four games on the road. Bottom line, Pittsburgh needs a fast start before the gauntlet of the schedule. 

The Bills get three playoff teams in their first four games (three consecutive), all of which are in prime time. While a fast start is imperative for Buffalo with the early-season test, the Bills are one of just four teams with three consecutive games on the slate (at Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans in Weeks 4 through 6).

Buffalo plays four prime-time games in the first six weeks (at Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets), with C.J. Stroud and the Houston…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-schedule-release-bills-steelers-with-toughest-roads-to-playoffs-due-to-difficult-season-slate/

Author : Jeff Kerr

Publish date : 2024-05-20 21:20:12

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