2024 NFL Early Schedule Difficulty Values

[Argonut]

In light of findings at D2 and SEC and Final 4 in 2023 and the common thing heard at week 3 in NFL that no one makes the playoffs with an 0-3 start, I have calculated the early schedule difficulty values for the 2024 NFL for the first three games. The scoring is a little different and I have used the 2023 records of the teams to calculate the values of the first three games. A + denotes playoff team, a # denotes divisional champ and $ denotes conference final participant. I have also included last year's record and arranged by divisions. The 2024 record follows last year’s record.

Early Schedule Point Values

1- Additional point for road game
2- Below .500 (2-7 wins)
3- .500 (8-9 wins)
4- +.500 (10-13 wins)
5- Divisional Champ
6- Conference Final Participant

AFC

East

# Bills (10) 11-6, (3-0) 4-2
+ Dolphins (12) 11-6, (1-2) 2-3
Jets (12) 7-10, (2-1) 2-4
Patriots (10) 4-13, (1-2) 1-6

North

$ Ravens (16) 13-4; (1-2) 4-2
+ Browns (11) 11-6, (1-2) 1-5
+ Steelers (9) 10-7, (3-0) 4-2
Bengals (11) 9-8, (0-3) 2-4

South

# Texans (9) 10-7, (2-1) 5-1
Jaguars (15) 9-8, (0-3) 2-5
Colts (11) 9-8, (1-2) 3-3
Titans (8) 6-11, (0-3) 1-4

West

$ Chiefs (12) 11-6; (3-0) 5-0
Raiders (12) 8-9, (1-2) 2-4
Broncos (14) 8-9, (1-2) 4-3
Chargers (11) 5-12, (2-1) 3-2

NFC

East

# Cowboys (14) 12-5, (1-2) 3-3
Eagles (9) 11-6; (2-1) 3-2
Giants (10) 6-11, (1-2) 2-4
Commanders (12) 4-13, (2-1) 4-2

North

$ Lions (12) 12-5, (2-1) 4-1
+ Packers (11) 9-8; (2-1) 4-2
Vikings (14) 7-10, (3-0) 5-0
Bears (12) 7-10, (1-2) 4-2

South

# Bucs (12) 9-8, (2-1) 4-2
Saints (12) 9-8, (2-1) 2-5
Falcons (15) 7-10, (1-2) 4-2
Panthers (10) 2-15, (1-2) 1-5

West

$ 49ers (10) 12-5, (1-2) 3-3
+ Rams (16) 10-7, (1-2) 1-4
Seahawks (10) 9-8, (3-0) 3-3
Cardinals (16) 4-13, (1-2) 2-4

[Argonut]

So far this NFL season of the teams who get off to a good start in first three games, 11 teams have .500 or winning record and 2 teams have losing record through 6 weeks.

On the other side of the coin the teams that get off to bad start in first three games, 12 have losing record and 6 have turned it around to .500 or better.

Even in NFL a good or bad start in first three makes a big difference.

[crixus]

NFC North is a very interesting division. I agree with Colin Cowherd and think 3 of it's teams will make the playoffs (Vikings, Lions & Packers). Sorry Bears. :D

[cwfenn]

NFC North is a very interesting division. I agree with Colin Cowherd and think 3 of it's teams will make the playoffs (Vikings, Lions & Packers). Sorry Bears. :D

Packers fans know this song all too well:

https://milwaukeerecord.com/sports/f...ll-suck-polka/

[Argonut]

Here are the recalculated early schedule difficulty values for the 2024 playoff field. The teams final record is followed by their start record in first three games. No one started 0-3 and four teams started 3-0. The first round matchups follow the listing of teams in order of hardest start descending to easiest start.

15- Tampa Bay: 10-7 (2-1)
Denver: 10-7 (1-2)

14- Detroit: 15-2 (2-1)

13- Kansas City: 15-2 (3-0)
Pittsburg: 10-7 (3-0)
LA Rams: 10-7 (1-2)

12- Washington: 12-5 (2-1)
Baltimore: 12-5 (1-2)
Green Bay: 11-6 (2-1)

11- Houston: 10-7 (2-1)

10- Minnesota: 14-3 (3-0)
Philadelphia: 14-3 (2-1)
LA Chargers: 11-6 (2-1)

9- Buffalo: 13-4 (3-0)

First Round

(15) Broncos @ Bills (9)
(13) Steelers @ Ravens (12)
(10) Chargers @ Texans (11)

(12) Packers @ Eagles (10)
(12) Commanders @ Bucs (15)
(10) Vikings @ Rams (13)

[Argonut]

The following list is the records of the playoff teams against each other for the 2024 season.

Chiefs: 7-2
Ravens: 7-3
Lions: 6-2
Eagles: 5-2
Bucs: 4-3
Steelers: 4-3
Vikings: 3-3
Bills: 2-3
Rams: 2-3
Broncos: 2-5
Chargers: 2-5
Packers: 2-5
Commanders: 1-4
Texans: 1-5