With a little over 60 days until the start of the 2023-24 NFL season, each team is gearing up for their different opponents and what they’ve seen the season prior.
Each NFL team usually has a team that could be seen as an “easier” or “harder” opponent, so I’ve attempted to gather what each team’s easiest matchup will be on their schedule.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Washington Commanders
All-Time Record: Bills 10-5
The Buffalo Bills are ready to win a championship. They are fiery and ready to get back into the championship contending conversation. On the opposite side of the ball, the Commanders are practically rebuilding everything. Fresh off the release of Carson Wentz among other major offseason news, the team is not yet where they need to be.
Miami Dolphins: Carolina Panthers
All-Time Record: Dolphins 5-2
The Dolphins are in a tough division and will have to step up in order to contend for the division title. In comparison to some of their other opponents, I think the Dolphins will have their way with the Panthers. I don’t think it will be a blowout game, but I do think the Dolphins could have the edge.
New England Patriots: Las Vegas Raiders
All-Time Record: Patriots 18-15-1
I think the Patriots are coming into the season as the stronger team. I think the Raiders are still a few years away from being a playoff contending team, but the Patriots are not as far off. I think this matchup will be in the Patriots defense favor.
New York Jets: Atlanta Falcons
All-Time Record: Falcons 8-5-0
Even though the Falcons have the upperhand on the all-time record, the Jets are on the rise. The Jets showed a lot of promise the past two seasons and Aaron Rodgers has experience against the team. The Falcons made some uncertain offseason moves, so I’m not sure how they will shape up against the Jets.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals: Seattle Seahawks
All-Time Record: Bengals 11-10
Let’s face it, most of the teams the Bengals will face next season could be easy opponents. I think the Bengals will have the easiest time with the Seahawks since they’re figuring out how to build around Geno Smith and work out the issues from last season. The Bengals are a much stronger team on both sides of the ball.
Baltimore Ravens: Arizona Cardinals
All-TIme Record: Ravens 5-2
Now that the Ravens and Lamar Jackson agreed to a contract extension and signed Odell Beckham Jr., the Ravens look like they could be on the rise next season to contend for a playoff spot. The Arizona Cardinals, however, are going to start off on rocky ground competing with a new head coach and a team that isn’t yet in the position to contend.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Houston Texans
All-TIme Record: Steelers 5-2
Both teams seem to be on equal footing trying to find things out and build upon some of the positives the teams have. However, I think the Steelers have the edge with Kenny Pickett and Mike Tomlin having experience working with each other. The Texans are also getting younger and though that can be a bonus for the team, there also comes inexperience in the NFL.
Cleveland Browns: Houston Texans
All-Time Record: Texans 7-6
The Cleveland Browns made moves this offseason that showed that they can compete in the AFC, but it’s up to if their quarterback can step up to the plate. Where the Browns were able to get offensive and defensive help not solely from the draft, the Texans’ younger talent will need some time to adjust to the NFL.
AFC South
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars: Atlanta Falcons
ATR: Falcons 5-3
I think the Jacksonville Jaguars are building off of what they accomplished last season. The team put up a fight against the Kansas City Chiefs, so I think it’s possible they can continue contending this season especially with Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson leading the team. On the opposite side of the ball, I think the Falcons are in a bit of a slump at the moment and the Jaguars will use that to their advantage.
Tennessee Titans: Seattle Seahawks
ATR: Seahawks 10-7
I think while the Seahawks are trying to figure things out with Geno Smith and possibly working around another rough season, I think the Tennessee Titans might have the upperhand in this matchup. Out of their entire season, I think the Titans are the stronger team on both sides of the ball against the Seahawks.
Indianapolis Colts: Las Vegas Raiders
ATR: Raiders 11-10
While both teams have their fare share of uncertainties, I think the Colts’ easiest opponent will be the Raiders because of those uncertainties. Indianapolis still has some parts of a great team to contend against the AFC, and I think they will have a break with the Raiders.
Houston Texans: Arizona Cardinals
ATR: Cardinals 3-2
Though the Texans are going to struggle a lot this season because of the inexperience on the team, the Cardinals will probably be their easiest opponent of the season. Since the Cardinals are going to be faced with a new head coach, it feels like to me the Texans will be able to use that to their advantage.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: Detroit Lions
ATR: Chiefs 9-5
The Super Bowl-defending Champions will have their way with theoretically any team in the NFL right now. That being said, their easiest opponent to me still feels like the Lions. The Lions have had issues keeping up with pace in the past, as they’ve struggled with that within their own decision, and the Chiefs have no problem controlling the pace of the game.
Los Angeles Chargers: Miami Dolphins
ATR: Dolphins 19-17
The Los Angeles Chargers have a lot of hope and growth in the upcoming season. Their quarterback, Justin Herbert is an absolute beast on the field and needs the team to keep up with his pace. The head-to-head matchup I see being the easiest would be the Dolphins considering their quarterback and coming back from a string of concussions from last season.
Las Vegas Raiders: Detroit Lions
ATR: Raiders 7-6
The Las Vegas Raiders and Detroit Lions feel like they’re on equal footing, but in comparison to some of the Raiders’ other opponents, they might have the upperhand against the Lions. It feels like the AFC has become the stronger conference in recent years, so anytime and NFC-AFC game comes up, the AFC team feels slightly stronger due to the nature of their interconference competition.
Denver Broncos: Washington Commanders
ATR: Broncos 8-7
The Broncos were almost enough to be a contending team, but need to get over the slump they have with their new quarterback and adjusting to a new play style. That being said, it will be easiest to face the Washington Commanders because they have off the field changes to address – not to mention, the on the field issues also need to be addressed.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles: Arizona Cardinals
ATR: Cardinals 58-57-5
The Philadelphia Eagles are fired up after coming off of the Super Bowl loss. Not only that, but they’re particularly fired up to be facing off against former defensive coordinator Johnathan Gannon as he is head coaching the Arizona Cardinals. There’s always a shaky start under a new head coach, and the Eagles will 110% have an advantage over this.
Washington Commanders: Arizona Cardinals
ATR: Commanders 77-47-2
Not only will the Eagles have their way with the Cardinals, but I think the Commanders will have the easiest time with them as well. Though the Commanders might struggle a little bit next season, they’ll have the advantage in this matchup. The Commanders also have experience scheming against head coach (and former Eagles defensive coordinator) Johnathan Gannon.
Dallas Cowboys: Los Angeles Rams
ATR: Cowboys 19-18
The Cowboys are a far stronger team than the Rams even with some of the moves the team made during the offseason. I think the Rams are still going to be a shaky team and not make much improvement this season.
New York Giants: New Orleans Saints
ATR: Giants 17-14
The Giants came away with a lot to be hopeful about last season, but still have room for growth. The team made some good offseason moves and I think they’ll be even better this season. Compared to some of their other tougher opponents, the Saints are going to be the easiest team the Giants compete against.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Arizona Cardinals
ATR: Bears 57-29
I am very confident the Bears are going to be an underrated hot team next season. Building around Justin Fields and his abilities, the Bears could be a stronger team with major improvements. I think the Bears offense is going to have the easiest time against the Cardinals.
Minnesota Vikings: Carolina Panthers
ATR: Vikings 10-6
I fall victim to this, but I think people are sleeping on the Vikings. I think they could see growth in the next season and have the parts of a contending playoff team. That being said, their easiest opponent might be the Panthers. The Panthers look uncertain and could struggle against the Vikings offense.
Detroit Lions: Atlanta Falcons
ATR: Lions 25-14
The Lions have had slow but steady growth last season, but could be a toss up this season with whether or not they show they can contend in the playoffs in a wide open NFC. Versus their other opponents, the Lions might have the easiest time, at least defensively, against the Atlanta Falcons.
Green Bay Packers: Las Vegas Raiders
ATR: Packers 8-5
Both teams have a new quarterback ready to lead the charge for their teams. The Packers, however, I think have the edge since Jordan Love has had a little more experience in the Packers scheme than Garoppolo had with the Raiders.
NFC South
Carolina Panthers: Houston Texans
ATR: Panthers 4-2
The Carolina Panthers offense, though there are uncertainties, I think will be able to match up against the Texans defense. Since making moves that could benefit the team, I think the Texans are a few seasons away from being contenders. The younger guys on the team are not yet experienced in the NFL and the Panthers can use that to their advantage.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Green Bay Packers
ATR: Packers 34-23-1
Now that Aaron Rodgers is off the team, it’s going to be interesting to watch two teams face off where their GOAT quarterback is not in the picture. Though the Bucs didn’t make as many moves as I would have liked to see for their improvement, I think they will match up defensively easiest with the Packers.
New Orleans Saints: Indianapolis Colts
ATR: Saints 8-5
I feel very uncertain about how the Saints’ upcoming season will go. I’m not sure the moves they made this offseason will have a significant impact and think the team is still years away from being contenders. However, I feel somewhat the same about the Colts and think the Saints could be a stronger team in this matchup. For that reason, compared to their other opponents, I think the Saints may have an easier time competing against the Colts.
Atlanta Falcons: Washington Commanders
ATR: Commanders 16-10-1
The Falcons are another team I feel a little uncertainty about but think they could be more dominant in their division versus their rivals. Compared to their other opponents and due to the Commanders’ offseason, I think the Falcons will have the easiest time against the Commaders.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Cleveland Browns
ATR: Browns 33-16
I think it’s safe to say given the offseason moves and new head coach, the Cardinals will struggle. The Browns have parts of a contending team but need Watson to step up. If the Cardinals can find their footing as the season approaches, they should have no problem scheming against Watson and Co. when they match up.
Los Angeles Rams: Cleveland Browns
ATR: Rams 13-11
Besides the Cardinals having an easier time against the Browns, I think the Rams could have the upperhand against Cleveland, too. The Rams feel a little more stable compared and I’m more confident in them than I am the Browns. Compared to some of their other opponents, I think the Rams will have the easiest matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
San Francisco 49ers: Houston Texans
ATR: 49ers 4-1
The 49ers are coming off of a major season being one game away from a Super Bowl. This is a team that not enough people are talking about on more than just a surface level. The 49ers are stacked with talent, being led by a talented quarterback and head coach. I think their easiest matchup will be against the Texans due to the opposing playoff experience versus the younger Texans lack of NFL experience.
Seattle Seahawks: Washington Commanders
ATR: Commanders 13-6
The Seattle Seahawks made some moves this offseason that could have them competing for a playoff spot in a wide open NFC. The Seahawks might have the easiest matchup with the Commanders compared to their other, more stable opponents.
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