Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - I have one major problem with the 2024 NFL schedule release on Wednesday: When it comes out, I always wish the season would begin the following week.
However, we still have to wait a while before the Arizona Cardinals come to Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Everyone has opinions on how the Bills' schedule looks, so here are mine:
The toughest part of the schedule covers Weeks 2 through 6.
The Bills will play four of those five games on the road, with Week 2 finding them in Miami against the Dolphins. Following a home Monday night contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sean McDermott's team will play in Baltimore against the Ravens on "Sunday Night Football", at Houston against Stefon Diggs and the Texans, and then at the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on "Monday Night Football".
That's four games in prime-time, and the Baltimore game will be on a short week. There you have the gauntlet portion of the schedule.
The Bills are still attractive, as far as the TV networks are concerned, but I thought, at least, 10 of their games would be in a national television window. There are eight games that are either at night or at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Last year, the Bills had 10 of their games in one of those slots.
Here's more of what's to like about the 2024 Bills schedule:
- I wanted the Bills to open at home with as close to a lock win as possible so that meant either Arizona or the New England Patriots. They got the Cardinals.
- I love the fact that there are seven Sunday at 1 p.m. ET games (up from five last year).
- Of the five prime-time games the Bills have, four will be played in the first six weeks of the season. That leaves just one prime-time game over the final 11 games of the season.
- I always prefer a bye week later in the season, and the Bills' bye comes in Week 12.
- I was happy to see the Bills' game in Miami in Week 2 was a night game. That means the Bills won't be baking in the sun on their sideline, and we don't have to worry about players potentially suffering heat stroke.
- I love the end of the schedule with the final three games being home against New England, home against the Jets and at the Patriots. The Bills should be able to run that table, and it could be decisive in terms of a division title, or even just making the playoffs.
- I'm very happy the Bills are not playing on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
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Now here's what not to like about the 2024 schedule:
- I don't like the three-straight road games. The Bills are one of four teams that were dealt that hand. No team should ever have to play three-straight games away from home unless there's a bye week in there. It's the first time the Bills will play three-straight weeks away from Orchard Park since 2015.
- The two games with Miami are done by Week 9. Apparently the networks don't think the Bills and Dolphins will be battling it out for the AFC East crown at the end of the season like last year. Instead, the Dolphins' two games with the Jets are in Weeks 16 and 18.
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Now we just have to sit and wait.
