Which NFC South team has the easiest, hardest game from week to week?

The NFC South figures to be a winnable division for all four teams. While many only consider three teams—Falcons, Buccaneers, Saints—for the crown, you never know what a young team like the Panthers could do.

Nevertheless, with the addition of Kirk Cousins, the Falcons should be the favorite. They would have won the division last year with decent quarterback play. They now have a trustworthy veteran to rely on, giving them a distinct advantage over their three rivals.

Here we are going to look at who has the easiest matchup each week, giving a clearer picture of how the 2024 season could unfold.

Easiest matchup from week to week in the NFC South

Week	ATL	NO	CAR	TB	Easiest	Hardest
1	vs. PIT	vs. CAR	@ NO	vs. WAS	NO	ATL
2	@ PHI	@ DAL	vs. LAC	@ DET	CAR	ATL
3	vs. KAN	vs. PHI	@ LV	vs. DEN	CAR	ATL
4	vs. NO	@ ATL	vs. CIN	vs. PHI	ATL	TB
5	vs. TB	@ KC	@ CHI	@ ATL	CAR	NO
6	@ CAR	vs. TB	vs. ATL	@ NO	ATL	CAR
7	vs. SEA	vs. DEN	@ WAS	vs. BAL	CAR	TB
8	@ TB	@ LAC	@ DEN	vs. ATL	CAR	TB
9	vs. DAL	@ CAR	vs. NO	@ KC	NO	TB
10	@ NO	vs. ATL	vs. NYG	vs. SF	CAR	TB
11	@ DEN	vs. CLE	BYE	BYE	ATL	NO
12	BYE	BYE	vs. KC	@ NYG	TB	CAR
13	vs. LAC	vs. LAR	vs. TB	@ CAR	TB	NO
14	@ MIN	@ NYG	@ PHI	vs. LV	TB	CAR
15	@ LV	vs. WAS	vs. DAL	@ LAC	ATL	CAR
16	vs. NYG	@ GB	vs. ARI	@ DAL	ATL	NO
17	@ WAS	vs. LV	@ TB	vs. CAR	NO	CAR
18	vs. CAR	@ TB	@ ATL	vs. NO	ATL	CAR

Final count:

Team	# of easiest weeks	# of hardest weeks
Atlanta Falcons	6	3
New Orleans Saints	3	4
Carolina Panthers	6	6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	3	5

All of this is just speculation but, as you can see, the Atlanta Falcons have the most favorable schedule. They tie with the Panthers for the total number of easy weeks while also having the fewest hardest weeks.

Interestingly enough, the Falcons open their season with their three difficult weeks, one coming against the Pittsburgh Steelers who won't be a powerhouse.

For the defending NFC South champion Buccaneers, they have a hard road ahead. Their schedule is difficult and one of their three easy weeks comes when only two NFC South teams are on a bye.

If the Dirty Birds can claw their way through the first three weeks with a winning record (you might even be okay with a 1-2 record) then they have a favorable path to breaking their long postseason drought.

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