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Schedule winners and losers, plus a preview of the Buffalo Bills

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Schedule winners and losers, plus a preview of the Buffalo Bills

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Yesterday, the Giants unveiled an alternate uniform to commemorate their 100th season, called Century Red. Some fans reacted better than expected.

Comments on the site included “it’s ugly, but in a cool way” and “come on Habs, come on.” In today’s newsletter:

  • 🗓 Schedule winners, losers
  • 🏆 Invoices at the Super Bowl?
  • 📺 Prime time games, note
  • 👀 UDFA WR to watch

NFL Schedule Analysis: Winners and Losers

Yesterday, Athleticism Jeff Howe shared his list of winners and losers on the NFL schedule, noting that Chicago’s Caleb Williams has a chance to thrive right away, while Aaron Rodgers and the Jets face a roster of traitors. Let’s see how this week’s schedule announcement changes things, and you can click on each team’s name for a full look:

THE winnersalongside BetMGM’s total win expectations:

  • Atlanta Falcons (9.5): After three straight 7-10 records, expect Atlanta to make a jump with Kirk Cousins ​​drawing the easier 2024 schedule based on the opponent’s 2023 records. And expected opponent 2024 win totals. They will be tested early, however, with the Steelers, Eagles and Chiefs.
  • Chicago Bears (8.5): After an impressive 5-3, the Bears have the third-easiest schedule by both measures. They also have three primetime matches.
  • Dallas Cowboys fans (10.5): Tied with the 49ers and Jets with a league-high six primetime games, Dak Prescott and Co. will see plenty of primetime, as always. They also have five games in that flagship 4:25 p.m. ET time slot. (Based on expected win total, their schedule is the 11th hardest.)
  • Fantasy football fans: Thanks to Gary Davenport, you can review the calendar from a fantastic perspective. Be careful with QB Jordan Love; Before Green Bay’s Week 10 bye, he faces just one opponent ranked outside the 2023 top 20 in fantasy points given up to QBs. On the other hand, Bengals RB Zack Moss starts with three of four matchups against defenses that were bottom-10 against the run.

Losers:

  • German NFL Fans: In Brazil, they host the Eagles and the Packers, two teams aspiring to the Super Bowl. London is home to big names like Caleb Williams, Justin Jefferson and honorary local Trevor Lawrence. But Germany, who had to witness that 10-6 Patriots-Colts monstrosity last year? Get pumped for Daniel Jones and the Giants (6.5 expected wins) vs. Bryce Young and the Panthers (4.5).
  • New York Jets (9.5): This line from Jeff says it all: “The Jets’ Achilles heel in 2024 could be their early season schedule. (Too early?)” They open with three games in 11 days, including road trips against the 49ers and the revamped Titans before opening at home against the Patriots. But it’s not all bad: Based on expected win total, the Jets have the fourth-easiest schedule.
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (7.5): The league’s toughest schedule in terms of expectations ends with a brutal eight-game stretch, including all six AFC North games and a five-week stretch with four away games. As Mark Kaboly notes, the Steelers have had tough times before, but nothing compares to what they could face this year.
  • San Francisco 49ers (11.5): A mid-pack schedule (18th) according to expectations, the 49ers face the Bills, the Chiefs, the Cowboys and the Seahawks who are all coming out of the bye. They will also play two games on Thursday, in Seattle and at home against the Rams.
  • New England Patriots (5.5): Their projected win total puts the Broncos in second place, ahead of only the Panthers. The Pats have the second-toughest schedule, loaded with talented quarterbacks: Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, Kyler Murray, Caleb Williams, CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson, plus two tilts each against Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa. Watch and learn, Drake Maye.

Your questions, our answers: optimism in Buffalo

Q: Given all the moves this offseason, what are the chances Buffalo can win a Super Bowl (or, at least, beat the Chiefs)?

To answer, I called on Tim Graham, senior editor for Athleticism covering Buffalo sports. This is what he said:

“I don’t think they’ve fallen back too far despite losing so many veteran leaders. They have become younger in positions that were aging. The nagging question will be how Josh Allen handles life without Stefon Diggs, but the Bills proved they didn’t need him by continuing to win while Diggs’ production slumped down the stretch.

Q: How important will second-rounder S Cole Bishop be to the Bills? –James N.

“Cole Bishop is a legitimate candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Safeties are key to Sean McDermott’s defense, and with Jordan Poyer already gone and Micah Hyde considering retirement, the Bills really wanted Bishop. They were visibly excited that Bishop was on the board when they picked in the second round. General manager Brandon Beane said they even tried to trade to make sure they got him, and felt happy Bishop was still there.

For more on the Bills, Tim shared his thoughts on their schedule, which includes a road stretch from Weeks 4-6 against the Ravens, Texans and Jets. This should be a fascinating year for a team with the fifth-best betting odds to win the Super Bowl. BetMGM projected them for 10.5 wins.

Games to watch: Primetime Matches, Reviewed

This morning, our Mike Jones shared the best and worst primetime matchups and other takeaways from the schedule. My notes on some of his choices:

Best Thursday Night Game: “Ravens-Chiefs to kick off NFL season September 5 on NBC”. We are spoiled. Next is the Week 10 matchup between the Bengals and Ravens. Worst TNF match: Broncos at Saints, Week 7. Sean Payton’s return doesn’t save that.

Best game of Sunday night: Bills at Ravens in Week 4. If neither team is able to defeat the Chiefs, this could be a preview of the AFC Championship Game. Worst SNF game: Bengals vs. Giants, Week 6. Huh?

Best Monday Night Game: Lions at 49ers in Week 17. It’s a long wait, but it should be worth it. Worst MNF match: Mike is torn between Week 3 Commanders-Bengals or Week 5 Saints-Chiefs. I’ll go with Week 8 Giants-Steelers.

The craziest season sequence: As Mike notes: “In Weeks 14-17, the defending champion Chiefs will host the Chargers in prime time, travel to Cleveland, host CJ Stroud and the Texans six days later, and then, with four days of rest, will travel to Pittsburgh for a game. Christmas Day Game.

Mike shares more about the takeaways after the program.

Around the NFL

Amidst the controversy surrounding Harrison ButkerIn its opening remarks, the NFL distanced itself from the ideas expressed by the Chiefs kicker, saying the league does not share those positions.

Jared Goff, the $212 million man, spoke to reporters Thursday about his new deal: “It was the security and the no-trade clause and all that, knowing everything that was in there.” The hundreds of millions didn’t hurt either.

Austin Mock’s projection model revealed the teams with the better chance of making the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl: “A big five emerged with five teams winning the Super Bowl in more than 50% of my model’s simulations: the 49ers, Chiefs, Ravens, Eagles and Cowboys.”

Odell Beckham Jr. understands his role as WR3 in Miami, he told reporters Wednesday. “I feel like I have a lot of anger or resentment or whatever. Now I feel at peace.

As Joe Person noted in his findings from rookie minicamp, Panthers HC Dave Canales had prepared an unusually detailed scouting report when asked about undrafted Holy Cross WR Jalen Coker:

“’Size, instincts, ability to separate at the top of the route. He’s really clever in areas. He knows how to find open spaces. Also has a cool little run after the capture. He can break some tackles because of the size he brings. Attack the ball at the highest point,” Canales said of Coker, who averaged 17.6 yards per catch in college and should be on your radar.

Jacob’s choices

📕 A touching tribute. Joe Person’s report on Panthers second-rounder Jonathon Brooks, who lost his father two years ago, explains the story behind a special tattoo. (Athleticism)

📺 The best calendar releases. Yes, videos have their own highlight video. (Youtube)

🎙 Query the NFC East. Cowboys expert Bob Sturm joins Robert Mays to take a deep dive into the NFC East. (The athletic football show)

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(Photo: Rich History/Getty Images)

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