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Conor Orr: The 13 Most Interesting Games of the Season | Schedule Release Day is NFL's Creative Super Bowl
With the 2025 NFL schedule release behind us, it’s time to examine each docket and make some predictions.
Last year in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs went 15–2, earning the conference’s top seed while winning their ninth consecutive AFC West title. Due to that success, Kansas City has the unenviable task of a first-place schedule, along with the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. In an odd twist, this is the second consecutive year all three teams will face each other due to their prior success.
Even with that added difficulty, it’s tough to see any of those four teams struggling to reach the playoffs in January. The big question is who will join them after watching a tight race that went down to Week 18 a season ago, as the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals all fought for the final wild-card spot.
Let’s look at the most challenging games for each, and take our best shot at how things play out over 18 weeks.
AFC EastBuffalo Bills: 13–4
The Bills should coast to their sixth consecutive division title. Buffalo will feast on the East, but there are tough games at home. The Chiefs and Ravens are coming to town, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals. The good news? The road slate is a cakewalk, with the Pittsburgh Steelers being the lone exception.
New England Patriots: 9–8
Don’t be surprised if the Patriots ride the Mike Vrabel hire and a last-place schedule to a playoff berth. New England will be competitive more weeks than not, and draws a favorable schedule (along with the rest of the AFC East) facing the NFC South, which hasn’t sent multiple teams to the playoffs since 2020.
Miami Dolphins: 7–10
Miami fans won’t love the analysis, but the Dolphins appear to be on the downslide. The Dolphins also have a tough road playing the Patriots and Bills four times, along with home dates against the Ravens, Commanders, Buccaneers, Chargers and Bengals. If the Dolphins want any chance of making the playoffs, they must handle their business at Hard Rock Stadium.
New York Jets: 5–12
This is a rebuilding year for the Jets, who have a new general manager, coach and quarterback. New York is the worst team in the division and the schedule isn’t going to do them many favors, having to play a third-place slate with games against the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. Both of those teams are better than Miami’s current edition.
