Toughest, easiest four-game stretches in the AFC North for 2024

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

Baltimore Ravens

TOUGHEST | Weeks 10-13: vs. Bengals, at Steelers, at Chargers, vs. Eagles

The Ravens don't have their bye until Week 14, which could be much needed for a team that has struggled to stay healthy over the past few years. To make matters worse, Baltimore's four-game stretch leading up to its week off is brutal.

First up, the Bengals, who will have a healthy Joe Burrow this time around. Then the Ravens must go on the road to face the Steelers – they have lost seven of their last eight matchups with their divisional rival  – and the Chargers, who are led by head coach John Harbaugh's brother, Jim. Baltimore will cap off this stretch by hosting the Eagles, who were just in the Super Bowl two seasons ago.

Finishing 2-2 in these four games would feel like a win.

EASIEST | Weeks 6-9: vs. Commanders, at Buccaneers, at Browns, vs. Broncos

The silver lining for the Ravens is that their easiest stretch comes right before their toughest. Baltimore will likely face two rookie quarterbacks (Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix) in that space, as well as two veterans who still have a lot to prove.

Baker Mayfield led Tampa Bay to the playoffs last season, but he must prove he is worth the three-year, $100 million deal he received this offseason. On the other hand, Deshaun Watson has yet to show that he is worth the Browns' investment of a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract.

It's very possible both players do not meet expectations this year, which would be the ideal scenario for the Ravens. Going 3-1 in this run of games should be considered the floor.

Cincinnati Bengals

TOUGHEST | Weeks 7-10: at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Raiders, at Ravens

The Bengals' toughest stretch comes in the middle of their season. It includes two divisional opponents and two teams that should be even better than they were in 2023.

Cincinnati must first go on the road to face the Browns, against whom Burrow has struggled mightily with a 1-5 record. Home games versus the Eagles and Raiders (who came up just shy of the playoffs last season) are up next. Then, the Bengals will head back on the road to play the Ravens, another team which Burrow has struggled against, posting a 3-4 record.

EASIEST | Weeks 1-4: vs. Patriots, at Chiefs, vs. Commanders, at Panthers

If Burrow is fully healthy at the start of the season, there's a good chance he leads Cincinnati to a 3-1 or 4-0 record. Three of the Bengals' four opponents to open the season could have rookie or second-year quarterbacks at the helm.

The Patriots used the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on North Carolina QB Drake Maye and if he doesn't play, it will likely be veteran Jacoby Brissett in line to start. The Chiefs are the most daunting team in the stretch, but Burrow has had their number since entering the NFL, going 3-1 against them (regular season and playoffs) while passing for 1,252 yards, nine touchdowns and just three interceptions.

The Commanders (led by Daniels) and Panthers (hoping 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young plays better in his second season), finish things off in this favorable early stretch for the Bengals.

Cleveland Browns

TOUGHEST | Weeks 15-18: vs. Chiefs, at Bengals, vs. Dolphins, at Ravens

The final four games of the Browns' regular season will likely decide their postseason fate as all four opponents they will face in that stretch have a good chance to be playoff teams.

First up are the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Enough said. Then, the Browns will go on the road for an AFC North matchup against Burrow and the Bengals. The Dolphins, who boasted the NFL's top offense in total yards per game last season, are up next, with a divisional tilt against the Ravens bringing the regular season to a wrap.

EASIEST | Weeks 2-5: at Jaguars, vs. Giants, at Raiders, at Commanders

Following a tough Week 1 matchup with the Cowboys, the Browns' schedule quickly lightens up. The toughest game of the bunch will likely come against the Jaguars, but even they missed the playoffs a season ago.

Two teams with a ton of questions at quarterback follow. The Giants seem willing to run it back with Daniel Jones while the Raiders went from Jimmy Garoppolo to Gardner Minshew this offseason. Lastly, the Browns will take to the road against the Commanders, who totaled just four wins in 2023.

Cleveland has a good chance to win every game in this stretch.

Pittsburgh Steelers

TOUGHEST | Weeks 15-18: at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

As with the Browns, the Steelers' last month of the season is going to be tough. Pittsburgh's last eight games of the season are a gauntlet, as six of the team's final eight games are against AFC North opponents.

However, there's no arguing against the final four games that begin with road matchups against the Eagles and Ravens. Then Pittsburgh must turn around on a short week to play the Chiefs on Christmas Day, which comes on a Wednesday in Week 17. A divisional battle with the Bengals wraps up the regular season.

EASIEST | Weeks 1-4: at Falcons, at Broncos, vs. Chargers, at Colts

Luckily for the Steelers, they will have some time at the beginning of the season for their new-look offense to gel. Ups and downs are expected with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and new quarterback Russell Wilson.

Revenge games for both come in the first two weeks of the season. Smith will take on his former Falcons team in Week 1 while Wilson will have a chance to enact his revenge against the Broncos in Week 2. The most difficult game of the bunch comes in Week 3, but the Steelers will be in the comfort of its home crowd when they take on the Chargers. A matchup with the Colts, led by second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, finishes up the Steelers' first month of the season.