Ranking the 5 most improved teams on the Buffalo Bills 2024 schedule

The Buffalo Bills have known their 2024 opponents for some time, but after the official release of the team's schedule on Wednesday night, the Bills are officially looking ahead to next season. And while some of the matchups are obviously difficult, a handful of teams on the schedule present new — and maybe some unexpected — challenges.

Every season, the NFL's playoff picture sees significant turnover. In fact, in 19 of the past 21 seasons, at least one team has finished first in its division the season after finishing last.

The Bills are already expected to have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL, but if these five teams live up to their offseason improvements, the Bills could find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture come January.

5. Arizona Cardinals — Week 1

After starting the 2023 season with only one win in their first nine games, the Arizona Cardinals saw pro-bowl quarterback Kyler Murray return to the lineup before snatching three wins from their final eight opponents.

Still less than impressive, but the Cardinals getting a full season of Murray while adding the NFL draft's best pass catcher in Marvin Harrison Jr. will do wonders for their chances of returning to relevancy in 2024.

Harrison Jr., widely considered the most NFL-ready prospect in this year's class, was one of seven players drafted by the Cardinals in the top 100 picks — the most by any team.

They've still got a long way to go, but if they can get significant contributions from multiple rookies and their free agent class, they've got a chance to surprise some teams this upcoming season — and the 2023 Bills were no stranger to surprises.

Another year under the guidance of head coach Jonathan Gannon should pay dividends too.

4. Indianapolis Colts — Week 10

Similar to the Cardinals, the Colts didn't make any significant additions to their team outside of the NFL draft, but the return of their starting quarterback Anthony Richardson is good news for 2024.

Even with journeyman backup quarterback Gardner Minshew starting 13 games last season, the Colts managed to secure a winning record. With Minshew off to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Richardson returning from a shoulder injury that ended his season in week four, the Colts offense instantly becomes more dynamic.

If Richardson — a former fifth-overall pick — can breakout, he'll be one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL. Pairing his incredible arm strength and athletic stature with weapons Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor gives the Colts a strong offensive core.

In the draft, they added wide receiver Adonai Mitchell and edge rusher Laiatu Latu — the highest defensive player taken off the board.

If second-year head coach Shane Steichen gets the most out of his roster once again, the Colts could be a dark horse playoff team in 2024.

3. Tennessee Titans — Week 7

Unlike the Colts and Cardinals, the Tennessee Titans have been major players in free agency this offseason, but with a young quarterback in Will Levis and an entirely new system after the departure of their former head coach Mike Vrabel, the difficulty of this matchup will likely depend on the team's progression by the time they travel to Buffalo in week seven.

Losing running back Derrick Henry — arguably the greatest player in the team's history — stings, but the Titans had some big additions on both sides of the ball. Replacing Henry is former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard who signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Titans after racing out to his second consecutive 1000-yard rushing season.

But they also added Pro Bowlers Calvin Ridley and L'Jarius Sneed at wide receiver and cornerback. And in the draft, the Titans took offensive tackle J.C. Latham — a Day One starter — with the seventh overall pick.

While the transition to success with new head coach Brian Callahan and an unpolished Levis could take some time, the Titans have built a roster with the potential to steal some games against good teams this season.

2. New York Jets — Weeks 6 & 17

Zach Wilson to Aaron Rodgers, enough said.

After losing Rodgers in the team's opening game, the New York Jets were forced to start Wilson at quarterback in 2023. Wilson disappointed and the Jets found themselves outside of the playoff picture for the 13th straight season, despite boasting one of the NFL's top defensive units.

In order to keep Rodgers healthy, the Jets upgraded both offensive tackle positions by adding Morgan Moses via trade and former All-Pro Tyron Smith during free agency, all before eventually drafting Penn State's Olu Fashanu with the 11th overall pick in the draft.

Two other key additions came in the form of uber-talented but often injured wide receiver Mike Williams, and four-time double digit sack getter Haason Reddick. If Rodgers can turn back the clock for one more season, the Jets have built a roster that could join the long list of Super Bowl contenders in the AFC.

We'll just have to wait and see if the Jets are going to Jet in 2024.

1. Houston Texans — Week 5

Thanks to the Bills, the Houston Texans are the most improved team on their 2024 schedule.

When the Texans sent a second-round pick to the Bills in exchange for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, they added a difference maker to the offensive side of the ball, after already signing premier edge rusher Danielle Hunter to a two-year contract in March.

It could be argued that the Texans added the biggest offensive and defensive difference-makers of this offseason to their team.

Adding that kind of talent to a team that already won a playoff game in 2023, makes the Texans a scary opponent. If their two Rookies of the Year, quarterback C.J. Stroud and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr., take another leap forward in 2024, the Texans will be sure-fire Super Bowl contenders in due time.

For the Bills, this game will give them an opportunity to prove they can still dominate without Diggs. And perhaps, reassure the fan base that their current regime's process is still trustworthy.

In fact, it's going to be the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen against everybody in this much-anticipated matchup.