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Final strength of schedule data

Saints played hardest schedule of playoff teams

Among the 12 teams in the postseason, the Saints played the hardest schedule (followed by the Seahawks, 49ers and Panthers). The Packers, Eagles and Kansas City played the easiest schedules.

This is based on wins and losses, and doesn't include teams own games. That is, Denver's opponents went 120-136 -- 3-13 against the Broncos, and 117-123 against the rest of the league.

To make for more of an apples-to-apples comparison, the chart below looks at just the "other" games (otherwise all teams with really good records will tend to look like they played easy schedules, and teams with losing records will appear to be victims of bad luck).

Overall, the Lions had the easiest schedule, which is proof they really underachieved this year. No way a team with that talent and that schedule should be home during the postseason. The Bucs, Rams and Cardinals played the hardest schedules.

One can argue that Arizona is more deserving of a playoff berth than the Packers and Eagles. The Cardinals went 10-6 while playing a tough schedule (opponents went 130-110 against other teams). Green Bay went only 8-7-1 against opponents going a combined 108-131-1.

Below are the final numbers (with playoff teams in bold).

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE, FINAL
TeamWinLossTiePct
Detroit1061304.450
Green Bay1081311.452
Kansas City1091310.454
Philadelphia1091292.458
Chicago1091274.463
Pittsburgh1111272.467
Baltimore1151232.483
Dallas1151232.483
Denver1171230.488
Jacksonville1171230.488
New England1171230.488
NY Jets1171230.488
Cincinnati1171212.492
Indianapolis1191210.496
Washington1181202.496
Cleveland1191192.500
San Diego1201200.500
Tennessee1201200.500
Minnesota1201191.502
Oakland1221180.508
Carolina1221171.510
San Francisco1221171.510
Seattle1221171.510
Buffalo1231170.513
NY Giants1231152.517
Miami1261140.525
New Orleans1271130.529
Houston1291110.538
Atlanta1291101.540
Arizona1301100.542
St. Louis1321080.550
Tampa Bay1351050.563

--Ian Allan

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