Toughest, easiest four-game stretches in the AFC South in 2024

With the NFL's 2024 schedule released, here are the toughest (and easiest) four-game stretches for each team in the AFC South.

Houston Texans

TOUGHEST • Weeks 13-17: at Jaguars; vs. Dolphins; at Chiefs; vs. Ravens

The Texans pushed their chips to the center of the table in an all-in move this offseason, adding running back Joe Mixon, receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive end Denico Autry, edge-rusher Danielle Hunter, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair and cornerbacks Jeff Okudah and Kamari Lassiter to make a bold run at the Super Bowl.

If Houston truly believes it’s a Super Bowl-caliber team, this four-game stretch will show whether that’s true or not. The Jags, Dolphins, Chiefs and Ravens combined for a 44-24 record last season, and the latter three made the playoffs, two of which played in the AFC Championship game. If the Texans are for real, they need to come out of this stretch with at least one win against Kansas City or Baltimore.

EASIEST • Weeks 1-4: at Colts; vs. Bears; at Vikings; vs. Jaguars

It’s possible all four of these opponents could be fringe playoff teams in 2024, but two of them (Bears, Vikings) were below-.500 teams in 2023 and the other two (Colts, Jaguars) finished just one game above .500.

On paper, the Bears are much better than last season but there’s a good chance coaching could hold them back. The Vikings are breaking in a rookie QB and their defense may be worse than it was in 2023. The Colts and Jaguars are easily winnable division games, and the Texans improved drastically during the offseason while a case can be made both Indy and Jacksonville didn’t improve much at all.

Indianapolis Colts

TOUGHEST • Weeks 7-10: vs. Dolphins; at Texans; at Vikings; vs. Bills

The Vikings are the lone game in this four-game block that is easily winnable. The other three won a combined 32 games last season, and the Texans and Bills both won playoff games. This stretch depends on how second-year QB Anthony Richardson is faring by this point and whether or not Joe Flacco has had to play at all.

EASIEST • Weeks 13-17: at Patriots; at Broncos; vs. Titans; at Giants

All four of these games are winnable, and I’d argue New England and New York are almost “gimme” games. The Broncos and Titans are interesting matchups. Denver nearly rallied to make the playoffs last season, but it’ll be starting either a rookie QB or one who flamed out in just three years with the Jets, and the team traded its best receiver away.

The Titans added some serious talent in the offseason (Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Tony Pollard, La’Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie, T’Vondre Sweat), but they also have a first-time head coach who will be calling his own plays for the first time in his career, and they’re banking on their first-round pick seamlessly moving from a standout college right tackle to a capable rookie left tackle.

Jacksonville Jaguars

TOUGHEST • Weeks 8-11: vs. Packers; at Eagles; vs. Vikings; at Lions

The Jaguars’ defense certainly has its work cut out, getting Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, J.J. McCarthy and Jared Goff in four straight weeks. Jacksonville’s secondary was hit the hardest with free-agent losses, and the team didn’t really add much help through the draft either. This could be a stretch where the Jags get torched by excellent QB play.

EASIEST • Weeks 14-17: at Titans; vs. Jets; at Raiders; vs. Titans

Getting the Titans twice in four weeks makes this an easy pick. Tennessee went 6-11 last season, and quarterback Will Levis is still pretty green. The team is breaking in a first-time head coach and all-new coaching staff, plus there were a lot of turnovers at running back, offensive line, linebacker, and secondary.

The Jets may or may not be good; it all depends on Aaron Rodgers. If Tyrod Taylor starts at this point in the season, something went terribly wrong for NY. The Raiders have some decent talent, but their season hinges on how well either Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell plays. Not exactly a recipe for success.

Tennessee Titans

TOUGHEST • Weeks 3-7: vs. Packers; at Dolphins; vs. Colts; at Bills

Tennessee’s pass defense was lit up a lot last season, and though adding Sneed, Awuzie and fifth-round pick Jarvis Brownlee certainly helps, trying to stop Love (4,159 yards passing, 32 touchdowns in 2023), Tua Tagovailoa (4,624 yards passing, 29 touchdowns) and Josh Allen (4,306 yards passing, 29 touchdowns) certainly doesn’t.

Neither does having to defend Tyreek Hill (119 receptions, 1,799 yards, 13 touchdowns) Jaylen Waddle (72 receptions, 1,014 yards) or Michael Pittman Jr. (109 receptions, 1,152 yards). The revamped Titans defense will definitely be put to the test early in the season. 

EASIEST • Weeks 9-12: vs. Patriots; at Chargers; vs. Vikings; at Texans

The Texans are the only game in this block that is likely to be a loss; however, the other three are all winnable. New England and Los Angeles are bringing in new head coaches, and the Patriots and Vikings could start rookie quarterbacks. The Titans could surprise some people in 2024, and this four-game stretch could be responsible for a good chunk of their win total.