Highlighting AFC South blockbuster games of 2024 season

The NFL released its complete schedule for the 2024 season on Wednesday. Here is the blockbuster game (and another intriguing matchup) for every team in the AFC South.

Houston Texans | Complete schedule

BLOCKBUSTER: | vs. Baltimore Ravens, Wednesday, Dec. 25: Not only do the Texans get to avenge their 34-10 AFC divisional round playoff loss to the Ravens, but they also get to do it on a national stage in one of just two games played on Christmas Day.

In that playoff loss, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson ran roughshod over Houston’s defense to the tune of 100 yards (9.1 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. The Texans went all-in on bolstering their front seven with the additions of Danielle Hunter, Denico Autry, Azeez Al-Shaair and Jacob Phillips, and this game will prove if those acquisitions were worth the money.

ALSO INTRIGUING: | At Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Dec. 21: The Ravens matchup is the Texans’ revenge game, but the week before when they play the Chiefs is their measuring-stick game against the reigning two-time Super Bowl champions.

Houston made some big additions in the offseason to surround QB C.J. Stroud with more weapons (RB Joe Mixon, WR Stefon Diggs, TE Cade Stover), and playing Patrick Mahomes and the high-octane KC offense will show the Texans how they truly stack up among the AFC’s elite.

Indianapolis Colts | Complete schedule

BLOCKBUSTER: | At New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 17: There’s not really any one game that stands out on Indy’s schedule and screams “blockbuster” matchup, but playing the Jets in Week 11 may be as close as they get.

The Colts and Jets used to have a decent little rivalry going back in the early 2000s when Peyton Manning and Chad Pennington were their respective QBs. With Aaron Rodgers and Anthony Richardson both coming back from respective season-ending injuries and fans getting their first real glimpse of what each can do, this could be Indianapolis’ best matchup of the year.

ALSO INTRIGUING: | vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 22: Richardson played just four games last year before opting for season-ending surgery. He showed glimpses of being the franchise-changer the Colts expect him to be, and what better way to measure his skills than against 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams?

The Bears are a team on the rise, and the Colts are right on the bubble of being a potential playoff team. This is the kind of game where not only could it be an intriguing QB matchup but it could also be a preview of two up-and-coming surprise playoff teams.

Jacksonville Jaguars | Complete schedule

BLOCKBUSTER: | At Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Sept. 22 (Monday Night Football): The Bills had won three straight last season before dropping a 25-20 contest to the Jags. That loss arguably changed the trajectory of Buffalo’s season as the team had a rocky 3-4 stretch that led to the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.

This game could be a little bit of a revenge game for the Bills, but it’s also a great game for the revamped Jaguars defense, which added star defensive end Arik Armstead plus overhauled its cornerbacks and defensive tackle groups, to test itself against one of the top QBs in the league, with an all-new WR corps and he No. 4 rusher from last season.

ALSO INTRIGUING: | At Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 3 ("Sunday Night Football"): The Jaguars and Eagles had two late-season meltdowns last year that prompted many questions from their respective fanbases. Jacksonville started 8-3 before losing five of its last six to miss out on the playoffs. Similarly, Philly started 10-1 but limped into the postseason with losses in five of its last six games, and the team got blown out 32-9 to the Tampa Bay Bucs during Super Wild Card Weekend.

This game happens in Week 9, which could be an important part of the schedule for each. Expectations are high for both teams, and winning this game could go a long way toward proving each team is for real.

Tennessee Titans | Complete schedule

BLOCKBUSTER: | At Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 30 ("Monday Night Football"): This is a rematch of Tennessee’s 28-27 win over Miami in Week 14 of last season, which was arguably QB Will Levis’ coming-out party. It was his first 300-yard game in the NFL, and he won over a lot of fans by leading the Titans on two touchdown drives in the final 4:34 of the fourth quarter to upset the Dolphins, who were 9-3 at the time.

Given the excitement of last year’s game, it’s safe to say this game is presumably circled for many reasons. The Dolphins likely want to exact some revenge. The Titans want to prove last year’s victory wasn’t a fluke. And the fans want to see another Levis-Tua Tagovailoa quarterback duel. 

ALSO INTRIGUING: | At Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 8: This game could be an underrated QB matchup. Levis is an up-and-coming passer who the Titans believe can be their franchise QB. Williams was the top overall pick in last month’s draft and was considered a generational player by many scouts. 

It’ll be Williams’ first NFL start, and aside from all the fanfare that brings, it’s also the first game of the Titans’ new regime, led by first-year head coach Brian Callahan and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. The Titans will also get to see what their revamped secondary can do with the additions of cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed, Chidobe Awuzie and Jarvis Brownlee.