NFL Schedule and Reactions
Week | Giants | Jets | Bills |
1 | @Lions (MNF) | Raiders | @Bears |
2 | Cardinals | @Packers | Dolphins |
3 | Texans | Bears (MNF) | Chargers |
4 | @Redskins (TNF) | Lions | @Texans |
5 | Falcons | @Chargers | @Lions |
6 | @Eagles | Broncos | Patriots |
7 | @Cowboys | @Patriots (TNF) | Vikings |
8 | BYE | Bills | @Jets |
9 | Colts (MNF) | @Chiefs | BYE |
10 | @Seahawks | Steelers | Chiefs |
11 | 49ers | BYE | @Dolphins (TNF) |
12 | Cowboys | @Bills | Jets |
13 | @Jaguars | Dolphins (MNF) | Browns |
14 | @Titans | @Vikings | @Broncos |
15 | Redskins | @Titans | Packers |
16 | @Rams | Patriots | @Raiders |
17 | Eagles | @Dolphins | @Patriots |
Giants: The Giants have two primetime games in the first four weeks so we'll get a good chance to evaluate their improvement this season. It’s tough to open up against that vaunted Detroit offense on the road, but the G-Men get the next two at home against winnable teams in Arizona and Houston. Two divisional road matchups make for a tough Week 6 and 7. And then after a Week 8 bye, the Giants get a murderers row with the Colts at home, the Seahawks on the road, (that Colts game is on a Monday, giving them a short week before the 3,000 mile trip to Seattle), and then another 3,000-mile trip back home to face the great 49ers and the Cowboys. If Big Blue has any soft spot, it's Weeks 13 and 14 when they play Jacksonville and Tennessee – but both are still on the road. All in all, a tough schedule for a team looking to rebound in 2014.
Jets: Gang Green gets three primetime games in 2014 as the nation clamors for more Rex Ryan – and to see what becomes of the Mike Vick/Geno Smith saga. Good news for the Jets is that they get three of their first four at home, including a favorable Week 1 matchup with Oakland. The Jets have just five games against playoff teams from 2014 (two against the Patriots), and two of those games are at home (Denver and New England). A Week 11 bye is a great spot to prepare for a stretch run that includes three of its final four games on the road.
Bills: After the official website leaked that the Bills might be playing in Detroit on Thanksgiving, Buffalo was shut out of Turkey Day and will feature just one Thursday night game (Week 11). Buffalo will open up with a tough matchup on the road at Chicago and will end the season with a 3,000-mile trip to Oakland in Week 16 and everyone’s favorite road trip, New England, in Week 17.
The Bills at least have winnable home games in the division-rival Jets and Dolphins, as well as the Chargers, Browns, and Vikings. But they’ll also see the Packers, Chiefs, and Pats come to town. And the Bills won't be able to use cold weather to their advantage this season. The home slate features all cold weather teams coming into Ralph Wilson with the exception of San Diego, but Week 3 will be too early to have an effect. Not a good looking schedule for a team looking to regain relevance.