NFL Schedule Overview, Winners and Losers

The NFL Schedule is OUT!

The 3 hour long special on Thursday night televised on the NFL Network and ESPN was the most that we have taken in from the sports world since the NFL draft exactly two weeks ago when Joe Burrow was selected No.1 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals during a time where sports should be dominating headlines.

Pending the Coronavirus taking anything else away from us, NFL teams (and fans) now know their full schedules with their opponents listed in the order that they will be played with the dates and times available.

Now that the fans can start planning for road tripping for the year up coming, we writers now can now discuss all of the games ahead and talk about who got screwed and who is thanking Roger Goodell for a perfect schedule (if such a thing exists).

Best Prime-Time Game?

I think that Monday Night Football is an abomination. So to me, we have the Thursday night and Sunday night games to choose from. On Nov. 8, we get the second edition of Brees vs Brady as the Bucs host the Saints on NBC for SNF. So much firepower on one field between the two teams with one team looking for revenge on the other (as long as there is no tie in week one).

- Riddick

Chiefs - Ravens Week 3: A match-up of what many thought would be last year's AFC championship game, with two of the game's most talented QB's. Both offenses have different styles; the Ravens pummel you with their run game and the Chiefs destroy you through the air. This will be a dandy.

-Simmons

I was largely unimpressed with most of the prime-time games—except for week 3. That Sunday/Monday night slate is jammed pack with great football. I give the edge to the Monday night game between the Chiefs and Ravens. The two most electrifying QB’s in football going at it with Booger McFarland in the booth?? Count me in.

- Prill

Kansas City vs Baltimore - week 3

- Gregory

One of the best games of the entire season perhaps will be the Monday night game in week 3. The defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs will head to M&T Bank Stadium to take on the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore was potentially the most electric team in the NFL last year, but with an early AFC playoff exit, I would expect Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to be itching to prove that they have what it takes to be a Super Bowl contender. How better to prove that than having an opportunity to de-throne Pat Mahomes and the Super Bowl Champions? The Ravens are playing possibly the best team in the NFL, at home, under the lights, with the entire country watching. Ladies and gentleman, expect some fireworks.

- Harvey

I like the game on Thursday Night Football in Week 6 between the home Buffalo Bills and the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. I expect these teams to get off to a hot start to the season and this match-up could set the tone for both teams for the rest of the way.

-Tonge

Best Game on the Schedule?

Week 1. Tampa Bay Bucs visiting the New Orleans Saints. This is a great first match-up for the new Bucs with Tom Brady squaring off against Drew Brees. America’s first Game of the Week should be a great one.

-Tonge

If there’s one team that I secretly like it’s the New Orleans Saints. That’s why I’m going with the Chiefs at the Saints in Week 15. Both teams will most likely be near a playoff spot and may be close to securing home field through the playoffs. Also, Mahomes v. Brees is another must-watch QB battle.

- Prill

Chiefs Ravens. I honestly think this is the best game and the best prime-time game.

-Harvey

Chiefs @ Ravens, the AFC Championship that the Titans ruined for all of us in their Cinderella run in the playoffs last season. I’d take Lamar vs Patrick 5 times a year if I could. But I can’t. Only negative thing about this match-up is that it is on a Monday night.

- Riddick

Chiefs at Saints - week 15

- Gregory

Cardinals, Seahawks, TNF Week 11. This might be an under-the-radar match-up, but these two division rivals are bolstered with talent and promise. With this game coming late in the season, there could be a lot at stake in a highly competitive NFC West when Arizona visits CenturyLink Field.

-Simmons

Which Team Got Screwed?

Chicago - 7 of last 9 games are versus playoff teams from last year while the first 6 games have 0. Very tough to win with a schedule like that.

- Gregory

The Patriots. Your reward after losing the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady in free agency? The NFL's hardest schedule, which Jarret Stidham will likely have to guide them through. Yeesh.

-Simmons

The Patriots. Basically half of their schedule is in prime-time and they don’t have the talent* that they used to have. They’re going to get exposed quite often this year in front of a national audience… much to my delight! (*Brady)

- Prill

Yes, we know, the Rams got screwed. But they got away with PI in the……

We won’t go there. As a west coast team, it’s a nightmare to have to go all the way to the east coast. For the rams, they open their new stadium on week one vs DAL but then travel to Philly and Buffalo the weeks right after. Also, in weeks five and six, they travel to Washington and San Francisco. Adding onto my point, their gift after their bye in week 9 is vs SEA @TB vs SF and @ARZ. Los Angeles also gets 5 prime-time games this year, making their wacky schedule…wackier? Good luck to this team that is trying to bounce back from a disappointing season last year

- Riddick

The Atlanta Falcons have possibly the hardest schedule in the NFL. They open with the Seattle Seahawks at home, and it doesn't get much easier from there. Considering where the Falcons were last year, I honestly don't see them winning 7 games. The Falcons are in for a 6-10 rebuild year.

- Harvey

Personally, I would not want to be a Minnesota Vikings fan. 3 out of the first 5 are on the road, including visits to Seattle and Houston. Then they have 3 out of their last 4 on the road, including trips to visit the Bucs and the Saints. Getting their season off to a good start and finishing strong will be tough for them.

- Tonge

Which Team is in the Best Shape?

Indianapolis Colts. I honestly see them winning at least 10 games and at the very least contending for a wild card playoff spot if not the division. Let's not forget an already thin Texans receiving corps lost perhaps the best WR in all of football with Deandre Hopkins. If the Colts can split the series with the Texans, my money is on Indy to win the AFC South. 

- Harvey

Consider this - The Bucs’ 3 toughest games are @ NO, vs GB and vs KC. All of these games are at least 4 weeks apart. They also get the late season bye (week 13) that teams are always looking for. All these things considered, Brady and co. should be in good shape in 2020, even with 2 Monday night games that include shortened weeks.

- Riddick

I am very biased but I like the Bills schedule a lot. Looking over it, I think they have a really good chance to win 11 or 12 games this season. Not having to visit Seattle, Pittsburgh, or Kansas City is huge, especially if fans are allowed to go to games and can get New Era Field rocking.

- Tonge

The Saints. They play in one of the weaker divisions in the NFL and their non-conference schedule should be breeze (with the exception of KC). They should go 12-4 and win the division.

- Simmons

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the hottest team on paper right now. Adding Brady and Gronk makes them must-see TV. However, I still think they’re going to need all 17 games to make the playoffs, and luckily for them, the schedulers did them a favor. Their final three games are nearly a cakewalk—two against the Falcons, and one against Lions. My guess? We’ll be seeing Brady on Wild-Card weekend yet again.

- Prill

KC - Tough first couple of games, but after that, smooth sailing to week 15 vs NO.

- Gregory

What Game you are Most Personally Looking Forward To?

Bills/49ers week 13: A hungry and rejuvenated Bills team will look to give the reigning NFC Champs a run for their money. The BillsMafia has wanted more prime-time games and they got a good one coming in San Fransisco. 

- Simmons

Being a Browns fan, it’s hard to get excited about much. But that Week 14 game… at home… in prime-time… against the Ravens… has me PUMPED. Say what you want about the Browns, I think they’re going to be right in the mix come seasons end, and this game could be crucial. I know I’ll be watching.

- Prill

The Redskins and the Bengals are not going to be good this coming season. Like, at all. So, let me sell it to you this way – Joe Burrow @ Chase Young! I wish this game was earlier in the season, but you can’t get everything you wish for. Week 11 should have these two teams fighting for pride and draft positioning.

- Riddick

I am pumped for the Week 14 game in Buffalo, NY when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to visit for a date on Sunday Night Football. Last season, the Bills went down to Pittsburgh for a Sunday night game and pretty much ended the Steelers chances of making the playoffs. Pittsburgh will be looking to do the same, but like I said before, if fans are allowed at the games, I will most certainly be present with my fellow members of #billsmafia as long as school is done.

- Tonge

GB at CHI week 17 - Hopefully for the division even or to ruin the packers playoff hopes

- Gregory

Author - Jordan Riddick

Contributors - Jason Prill, Jason Gregory, Max Harvey, Cullen Tonge and John Simmons