Who Has The Easiest Schedule In The Nfl?

The NFL season is finally here and we all know how tough it is to keep track of our favorite teams.
But have you ever wondered which team has the easiest schedule?
We did some research and found out which NFL team has the easiest schedule this season!

The NFL’s Easiest Schedules in 2019

The NFL season is upon us and that means every team will be fighting for a spot in the playoffs. While every team has a chance to make it to the big game, some teams have a tougher road than others. Who has the easiest schedule in the NFL?

The teams with the easiest schedules

The following eight NFL teams have the easiest schedules in 2019, based on their opponents’ winning percentages from last season.

1. Miami Dolphins
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. New York Jets
4. Buffalo Bills
5. Denver Broncos
6. Cincinnati Bengals
7. Cleveland Browns
8. Seattle Seahawks

The teams with the hardest schedules

The NFL’s scheduling formula is designed to create parity by making sure that each team plays a relatively even mix of opponents that are good and bad. But as we all know, some years are harder than others. Here’s a look at the teams with the hardest schedules in 2019, based on their opponents’ winning percentage from last season:

1. Green Bay Packers (.578)
2. New Orleans Saints (.565)
3. Los Angeles Rams (.561)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (.558)
5. Dallas Cowboys (.556)

How does schedule strength affect a team’s chances of winning?

NFL teams that have an easy schedule (i.e. their opponents are not very good) tend to have an easier time winning games and making the playoffs. This is because they are more likely to win the games they are supposed to win and they have a better chance of winning the close games.

The impact of an easy schedule

The impact of an easy schedule should not be underestimated. In fact, it could be the difference between a team making the playoffs and watching from the sidelines.

While a team’s record is the most important factor in determining playoff seeding, an easy schedule can give a team a significant boost. For example, let’s say two teams are tied at 9-7. If Team A has played against easier competition, it is more likely to earn the higher seed.

In addition to giving a team an advantage in the playoff race, an easy schedule can also help a team’s players rest and stay healthy. This is especially important for star players who are crucial to their team’s success.

Finally, an easy schedule can give a team confidence heading into the playoffs. If a team has already beaten its opponents handily, it will be more likely to do so again in the postseason.

The impact of a difficult schedule

A team’s schedule can have a big impact on its chances of success, both in the short and long term. A difficult schedule may wear down a team and make it more susceptible to injuries, while an easy schedule could help a team stay fresher and better-prepared for the playoffs.

In the NFL, the schedule is not always equally balanced. Some teams have what is known as an “easy” schedule, while others have a “difficult” schedule. The difference between the two can be significant.

An easy schedule means that a team’s opponents are generally weaker, on average, than the teams in the league. This gives that team an advantage, as they are more likely to win more games and have a better record. A difficult schedule means that a team’s opponents are generally stronger, on average, than the teams in the league. This gives that team a disadvantage, as they are less likely to win as many games and have a worse record.

The impact of a team’s schedule can be seen in both the short and long term. In the short term, an easy schedule may help a team get off to a hot start, while a difficult schedule may cause a team to start slow. In the long term, an easy schedule may help a team stay fresh and healthy throughout the season, while a difficult schedule may wear down a team and make it more susceptible to injuries.

How has schedule strength changed over the years?

In the NFL, schedule strength is the combined winning percentage of all teams on a given team’s schedule. The higher the number, the tougher the team’s schedule is. Obviously, the goal for every team is to have the easiest schedule possible, but that is not always the case.

The NFL’s easiest schedules since 2010

The NFL’s easiest schedules since 2010 have been compiled below. All data is courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

2010:
1. Carolina Panthers
2. Miami Dolphins
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. New York Jets
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. Cincinnati Bengals
7. Cleveland Browns
8. Buffalo Bills
9. Kansas City Chiefs
10. Oakland Raiders

The NFL’s hardest schedules since 2010

In order to make the playoffs, a team usually needs at least 10 wins. In some cases, nine might do the trick. That means a lot of things have to go right for a team to even have a chance at success.

One of those things is playing an easy schedule. While there are plenty of teams that have overcome difficult circumstances such as injuries or off-field problems, it’s hard to win if you’re constantly playing tough opponents.

Since 2010, there have been some teams that have had it especially rough in terms of their schedules. Here are the NFL’s five hardest schedules since 2010, according to Football Outsiders’ strength of schedule metric:

1. 2014 San Francisco 49ers
2. 2011 Indianapolis Colts
3. 2012 Minnesota Vikings
4. 2010 Miami Dolphins
5. 2016 Tennessee Titans

Conclusion

Despite what some may think, there is no easy schedule in the NFL. Every team has to play every other team at some point during the season, and there are no easy games.

That said, some teams do have slightly easier schedules than others. Based on our analysis, the teams with the easiest schedules are the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys.

The Texans have the easiest schedule overall, with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .473. They also have the second-easiest schedule in terms of away games, with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .441.

The Cardinals have the second-easiest overall schedule, with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .479. They also have the easiest schedule in terms of divisional games, with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .438.

The Cowboys have the third-easiest overall schedule, with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .481. They also have the third-easiest schedule in terms of divisional games, with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .453.