NFL Schedule Highlights
The NFL schedule was released last night. A lot of teams caught a big break with the way their games fell, and some drew the short end of the stick. The NFL really hates the Giants this year as seven of their first eleven games are on the road with no bye to break them up. It’ll be a tough couple months for the “G-Men”. Aside from that, here are some other things that stuck out to us.
Biggest Matchups
Bengals @ Chiefs Week 17
The Bengals-Chiefs rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most intense in the game. Burrow has gotten the better of Mahomes three out of the four matchups, but Mahomes has won two Super Bowls. These two teams hate each other and for good reason. They’re each really talented and only one gets to advance out of the AFC every year. With this game being in Week 17, it will no doubt have massive playoff implications. It might even single-handedly decide who gets the one seed.
Bills @ Jets Week 1
Does anyone remember how the Bills played the first few weeks of last season? Or the season before? Buffalo was an absolute wagon. They’re an amazing September team. This is a tough draw for Rodgers in his first game. His first real action in the green and white will be in one of the hardest games he will have all season. Not great for the 40-year old vet.
Super Bowl Rematch: Eagles @ Chiefs MNF Week 11
We knew we’d get a Super Bowl rematch. We just didn’t know when it’d be. There was a lot of speculation it would be Week 1. Donna Kelce said it would be Week 2. Yesterday, we found out it’s not happening until Week 11. This will be a great game, but I can’t say it’s high on my list of ones I’m looking forward to. Other than it being a rematch of the Super Bowl, it doesn’t really peak my interest. Just two good teams playing each other.
Draft Pick Showdown
The Carolina Panthers host the Houston Texans in Week 8. Bryce Young vs CJ Stroud. First pick vs second pick. It will be very interesting to see these two go head to head. If Stroud has a better game, everybody claiming he should’ve been the first overall pick will have their day. If Young shows out, the Texans might be able to breathe a little easier. Obviously winning one game doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn’t mean the NFL media won’t run wild with it.
Victims of Poor Schedules
Jaguars Playing Overseas Back-to-Back
I feel like this is a slap in the face to a team that’s supposed to have double-digit wins. I know what the NFL is trying to do here, but I feel bad for Jacksonville. Allegedly, the league is thinking about putting a full-time team overseas and with the Jaguars being the team that has played across the pond the most, they get the unlucky draw of playing back-to-back. Maybe the second game will be easier on them because they’re body is finally getting used to the different time zones. Or maybe they’ll play much worse as they all just want to get it over with and get home. Who knows, but I would be livid if I were a Jaguars fan.
Jets’ First Six Weeks are a Gauntlet
We’ve already talked about Buffalo. But if we look ahead a little farther, the Jets go to Dallas, then face the Patriots and Chiefs at home. After that they’re at Denver and home against Philadelphia. There’s a decent chance they start 2-4 or worse. Obviously, the season isn’t over at that point, but you can’t have a slip up with a start like that. They would have to get right quickly or risk wasting Rodgers’ first season in New York.
Philadelphia Faces Problems After Bye
The Eagles are lucky the bye week will come when it does. After their Week 10 bye, they’re at Kansas City, then home against Buffalo and San Francisco, then back on the road for Dallas and Seattle. This is as tough a stretch as you’ll see on any schedule. Four of those opponents are currently in the top six of Super Bowl Favorites. If the Philly can escape that with a 3-2 record they’ll be thrilled.
Primetime Scaries
Green Bay Received 5 Primetime Games
I assume the NFL already had these planned last fall, because if it wasn’t set until after the Rodgers trade, this is a tough look. To put Jordan Love on national TV five times this year is laughable. Could he be the next Rodgers? Yes, but if he was any good, Green Bay would have move off of Aaron a long time ago. This might be a rough year for Packers fans if they’re constantly losing in front of the entire world.
Giants in Primetime 3 Times in First Four Weeks
The Giants drew the shortest stick ever with their schedule. They play in primetime three out of the first four weeks. They won’t get into a rhythm until at least Week 5-6 of the season. It’s already over 30% finished by then. The winning record streak for Brian Daboll might stop at one if he can’t get his team through this nightmare of an opening schedule.
Bye Issues
No team wants to have their bye early in the season. It’s a lot like filling up your car in a sense. If you have half a tank left, you don’t want to waste time by stopping and getting gas. Let the tank get close to empty and then fill up. Cincinnati is a team that falls into this category. They’re a Super Bowl contender with a bye in Week 7. They still have eleven games left in the regular season before they’ll see another break. Not ideal.
