Denver gets to play Oakland, San Diego and Kansas City twice. That contributes to this team playing a schedule that on paper projects to be the 6th-easiest in the last 10 years.
There is a correlation between an easy schedule and increased offensive production. I've looked into that, and determined that if you're playing an easy schedule, it tends to result in about an extra 10 percent production.
I can't guarantee Denver will play an easy schedule. Maybe Kansas City, Oakland and San Diego will be a lot better this year, and Denver's schedule will wind up being only above-average, rather than really good. Historically, it's rare for the team with the easiest schedule in August to wind up playing the No. 1 easiest schedule.
But Denver's schedule appears to be good. When compared to the easiest schedules we've seen in the last 10 years, it comes in at No. 6. (There are preseason figures for all teams -- how teams PROJECTED to perform).
EASIEST SCHEDULES, 2004-13 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Win | Loss | Tie | Pct | |
2008 | New England | 99 | 157 | 0 | .387 |
2009 | Chicago | 105 | 149 | 2 | .414 |
2009 | Minnesota | 107 | 148 | 1 | .420 |
2008 | San Diego | 108 | 148 | 0 | .422 |
2009 | Green Bay | 109 | 146 | 1 | .428 |
2013 | Denver | 110 | 146 | 0 | .430 |
2009 | Pittsburgh | 110 | 144 | 2 | .434 |
2009 | Baltimore | 111 | 143 | 2 | .438 |
2008 | Oakland | 112 | 144 | 0 | .438 |
2011 | Arizona | 113 | 143 | 0 | .441 |
2009 | Arizona | 113 | 143 | 0 | .441 |
2009 | San Francisco | 113 | 142 | 1 | .443 |
2010 | Arizona | 114 | 142 | 0 | .445 |
2008 | Denver | 114 | 142 | 0 | .445 |
2006 | Chicago | 114 | 142 | 0 | .445 |
2005 | St. Louis | 114 | 142 | 0 | .445 |
2010 | St. Louis | 115 | 141 | 0 | .449 |
2009 | Cleveland | 114 | 140 | 2 | .449 |
2008 | Buffalo | 115 | 141 | 0 | .449 |
2008 | New Orleans | 115 | 141 | 0 | .449 |
2006 | Green Bay | 115 | 141 | 0 | .449 |
2005 | Arizona | 115 | 141 | 0 | .449 |
2012 | New England | 116 | 140 | 0 | .453 |
2010 | San Diego | 116 | 140 | 0 | .453 |
2010 | Seattle | 116 | 140 | 0 | .453 |
2008 | Kansas City | 116 | 140 | 0 | .453 |
2005 | Philadelphia | 116 | 140 | 0 | .453 |
--Ian Allan