Fantasy News
Four teams that look certain to make the playoffs also will benefit from playing easy schedules the rest of the way. Arizona, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati should have the easiest schedules during the final eight weeks of the season.
Some playoff hopefuls, meanwhile, could have their postseason goals damaged by hard schedules. The Giants, Eagles and Jets all project to play hard schedules; that might keep those teams out of the playoff party. And the Patriots have one of the toughest remaining schedules, which could help cost them a first-round bye.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE – REMAINING
Projected strength of schedule for the second half of the season (weeks 10-17), using the combined win-loss records of opponents. Based on these numbers, the Cardinals, Saints and Steelers should play the easiest schedules. Washington, Tampa Bay and the Giants project to play the hardest schedules.
W L Pct
22 42 .344 Arizona
25 39 .391 New Orleans
25 39 .391 Pittsburgh
27 37 .422 Cincinnati
27 37 .422 San Francisco
28 37 .431 Seattle
29 36 .446 Denver
29 35 .453 Cleveland
29 35 .453 San Diego
30 35 .462 Atlanta
30 35 .462 Miami
31 34 .477 Minnesota
27 29 .482 Houston
32 32 .500 Baltimore
32 32 .500 Chicago
32 32 .500 Green Bay
32 32 .500 Oakland
33 32 .508 Dallas
33 32 .508 Jacksonville
33 32 .508 Tennessee
33 31 .516 Buffalo
34 31 .523 Indianapolis
34 30 .531 Detroit
35 30 .538 St. Louis
35 29 .547 Kansas City
36 29 .554 Philadelphia
36 28 .563 NY Jets
38 27 .585 New England
39 26 .600 Carolina
34 22 .607 NY Giants
39 25 .609 Tampa Bay
43 22 .662 Washington
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE – SO FAR
Strength of schedule data for the first half of the season (weeks 1-9), using the combined win-loss records of opponents in other games. Washington has played the easiest schedule; its opponents have gone only 16-41 in games against other teams (22-43 overall, but with a 6-2 record against Washington). Other teams that have played easy schedules: Jacksonville, Minnesota and Green Bay. Teams that have played hard schedules: Miami, Denver, Baltimore and Tennessee.
W L Pct
16 41 .281 Washington
23 34 .404 Jacksonville
23 33 .411 Minnesota
24 32 .429 Green Bay
25 32 .439 Philadelphia
25 31 .446 St. Louis
26 31 .456 Buffalo
26 31 .456 Indianapolis
26 31 .456 Kansas City
26 31 .456 San Diego
26 30 .464 New England
27 30 .474 Dallas
27 30 .474 Tampa Bay
27 29 .482 Chicago
27 29 .482 Seattle
28 29 .491 NY Jets
31 32 .492 NY Giants
28 28 .500 Detroit
29 28 .509 New Orleans
30 28 .517 Oakland
33 30 .524 Houston
30 26 .536 Carolina
30 26 .536 Pittsburgh
31 26 .544 San Francisco
32 26 .552 Arizona
32 25 .561 Cincinnati
32 24 .571 Atlanta
33 23 .589 Cleveland
34 23 .596 Tennessee
34 22 .607 Baltimore
34 22 .607 Denver
38 18 .679 Miami
Updated through the Monday night game between Denver and Pittsburgh.
—Ian Allan
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