With the schedule set to be unveiled shortly, let’s take a look at what we’re expecting to learn.
Various insiders and league representatives have teased the release of the 2024 NFL schedule this week, which means we’re probably a day or two away from finding out how this year’s slate stacks up.
While we wait, we don’t just have to twiddle our thumbs. We can look at what we do know about the schedule, which is chiefly opponents and strength of schedule. Let’s do that now.
Opponents
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Strength of schedule
The Falcons notably have one of the weakest on-paper strengths of schedule again this year, with no one team on the docket having significantly improved their fortunes through the draft. The best you can say is that the Chargers, Vikings, and Commanders sure look stronger than they did heading into the draft, but this isn’t the most imposing set of opponents from our vantage point here in May.
Will the Falcons get primetime games this year?
We don’t have a definite yes or no here, but I’d bet strongly on the Falcons reversing a multi-year streak without significant primetime games.
Why? The presence of Kirk Cousins, the Michael Penix drama that will still be dissected this fall no matter what, and the hire of Raheem Morris and company provide enough compelling story lines this fall to make the NFL want to give the Falcons a primetime slot, potentially against the Vikings because of how rich that matchup figures to be. Whether that’s a good thing or not likely depends on whether you like to stay up late and whether you think the Falcons will be good this year.
How many games are the Falcons expected to win?
For all the swirling drama around this team, they’re considered favorites in the NFC South before the schedule even lands. BetMGM, for example, has the over/under for Atlanta’s win total at 9.5, and I bet a straw poll of Falcons fans would turn up an 8-10 win expectation.
Now you know. Hopefully we’ll have the full schedule soon enough.
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