2024 NFL Schedule Released: Chiefs Open Season Against Ravens, Packers Play Eagles in Brazil
The 2024 NFL schedule has been released, and it features a number of intriguing matchups. The season will begin on Sept. 5 when the Ravens visit the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs. The next night in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Packers play the Eagles in the league's first-ever game in South America.
There are also three games in London, including two featuring the local-favorite Jaguars, and one in Munich. And the NFL will play a Wednesday doubleheader on Christmas.
Tom Brady Makes FOX Sports Broadcasting Debut
Tom Brady will make his FOX Sports broadcasting debut with a Cowboys-Browns matchup in Week 1 and will be in the booth on Feb. 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans when FOX broadcasts Super Bowl LIX.
Team-by-Team Record Predictions
Arizona Cardinals: 8-9
The Cardinals started 1-8 last season without starting quarterback Kyler Murray. But with the Oklahoma product healthy, Arizona expects to come out of the gate faster this year. Doing that, plus the addition of offensive playmakers like first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr., rookie RB Trey Benson and free-agent pickup Zay Jones — along with an improved pass rush on defense — could help the Cardinals double their four wins from last year. They'll have to learn to close out games, however, as they went 2-5 in one-score games in 2023.
Atlanta Falcons: 9-8
The Falcons take a nice step forward in Raheem Morris' first season, and Kirk Cousins should elevate the offense significantly after they totaled 17 passing touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 17 games last year. I'm still surprised they haven't done more to upgrade their outside pass rush, hoping instead that a healthy Grady Jarrett and rookie Ruke Orhorhoro inside can create pressure up the middle. Can new OC Zac Robinson get more than eight TDs out of Bijan Robinson in the running back's second season? This division has produced only one wild card in the past seven years, but it should sneak a second team into the playoffs this season.
Baltimore Ravens: 11-6
The Ravens lost some key pieces from last year's run to the AFC Championship Game, and we won't have to wait long to see how well they've replaced them. The season-opening rematch with Kansas City is going to dominate offseason conversations, but Baltimore will have so many more challenges in 2024. The Christmas Day showdown against C.J. Stroud and the Texans is one of the juiciest games on this year's slate, and there will also be showcase games against Buffalo, Dallas, Philadelphia and, of course, Cincinnati. If the Ravens are going to replicate last year's 13-4 record, Lamar Jackson & Co. will have to earn it.
Buffalo Bills: 10-7
The Bills have one of the NFL's toughest schedules, with matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions — oh, and against the other two AFC East contenders, the Jets and Dolphins. Josh Allen will spend the start of the season figuring out life after Stefon Diggs. Buffalo isn't likely to have a true No. 1 option in the passing offense, and that'll take some getting used to for the QB. His defense might not be as much of a help to start the season as it figures out how to fill the holes at safety, with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer gone. With Allen still one of the league's most challenging quarterbacks to stop, the Bills are far from out of the Super Bowl hunt. But between their insanely tough schedule and their turnover, they finish just below the Dolphins in terms of record.
Carolina Panthers: 5-12
What constitutes a solid improvement from the NFL's worst record in 2023? Carolina has made life easier for quarterback Bryce Young, upgrading his offensive line and giving him better targets to throw to, trading for receiver Diontae Johnson and using high draft picks on receiver Xavier Legette and running back Jonathon Brooks. The Panthers defense has sustained considerable turnover, and the last-place schedule is no gift, lining them up with the Bengals, Bears and Cardinals, who should all be improved. Anything more than six wins would be a huge debut for first-year coach Dave Canales.
Chicago Bears: 9-8
Step-by-step, people. On paper, this year's Bears roster looks rock solid, with an embarrassment of riches in the wide receiver room for maybe the first time in my lifetime. In No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams, they have the best quarterback prospect in years at the helm and a new offensive coordinator with a track record of getting great things out of his signal-callers. But (you knew it was coming), let's not put the cart in front of the horse. I want to temper the exaggerated expectations for this team in 2024. Going from a seven-win team to making the playoffs or being in the hunt for the division is a tall order — especially in the NFC North, which could be the toughest division in the NFL this year. Plus, there's a lot of new in Chicago. The process and plan may need some time to take hold. That could result in a bumpy beginning, but I think the Bears will finally figure it out by the end of the season and cross a winning record off their roadmap to sustained success. Let that be enough for now. And if they exceed those realistic expectations, all the better for Bears fans.
Cincinnati Bengals: 13-4
Can the Bengals finally avoid an 0-2 start? The Week 2 matchup in Kansas City will make that difficult, but at least Joe Burrow gets to open his 2024 season against a rebuilding New England team. The schedule was always going to be tough due to playing in the nasty AFC North, but the Bengals will play only three teams from outside their division that had a winning record last year. If Burrow can stay healthy, there's a big opportunity for a bounce-back season.
Cleveland Browns: 9-8
It feels so strange to see a team this stacked but feel so unsure about them. That's what happens when you're led to the postseason by a backup quarterback who is no longer with the team. Joe Flacco's run was magical, but now it's time for Deshaun Watson to justify that massive contract. The Browns have one of the best rosters in the NFL, from top to bottom. But they play in the league's toughest division, and on top of that, they'll face off against league heavyweights like Dallas, Philadelphia, Kansas City and Miami. They'll need Watson to raise his level of play dramatically to improve on last year's finish.
Dallas Cowboys: 10-7
If you're looking for a test to see if the Dallas Cowboys are the Super Bowl contenders Jerry Jones thinks they are, look for their midseason stretch in October and November. From Oct. 6 through Nov. 18, the road is perilous. They play at Pittsburgh, home against Detroit. Then, after a bye, they travel to San Francisco
