Checking in with a weekly look at Strength of Schedule. This time around I’m using points rather than wins. And by points, I’m using the actual averages thus far allowed by each NFL defense (rather than an estimate of how strong I believe they are).
According to my calculations, the Jets, Saints and Kansas City will play the easiest schedules over the next seven-eight weeks. Each of those teams are playing opponent that (on average) are allowing over 25 points per game.
The Cardinals, Raiders and Bears project to play the hardest schedules. With Arizona, it’s a distant last. Their next seven opponents, on average, are allowing only 19.4 points per game – 1.5 lower than any other team.
Note, by the way, that this doesn’t include Seattle in Week 17. On this version, I left the Week 17 games out (since most fantasy leagues are done by that time).
With teams having their byes in different spots, the data here shows the next seven games for each team. For those who’ve already had their bye, that’s Weeks 9-15. For those whose byes are yet to come, it’s Weeks 9-16.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULES (Points, next 7 games) | ||
---|---|---|
Rk | Team | Avg |
1. | NY Jets | 25.4 |
2. | New Orleans | 25.2 |
3. | Kansas City | 25.1 |
4. | Green Bay | 24.6 |
5. | Philadelphia | 24.4 |
6. | St. Louis | 24.3 |
7. | Miami | 24.2 |
8. | San Diego | 24.2 |
9. | Washington | 24.0 |
10. | Tennessee | 24.0 |
11. | Denver | 23.9 |
12. | Jacksonville | 23.9 |
13. | Carolina | 23.8 |
14. | Indianapolis | 23.5 |
15. | Tampa Bay | 23.4 |
16. | San Francisco | 23.4 |
17. | Cincinnati | 23.0 |
18. | Houston | 22.8 |
19. | New England | 22.7 |
20. | Atlanta | 22.6 |
21. | Baltimore | 22.5 |
22. | Pittsburgh | 22.3 |
23. | Buffalo | 22.2 |
24. | Detroit | 22.1 |
25. | Seattle | 21.8 |
26. | Dallas | 21.6 |
27. | NY Giants | 21.3 |
28. | Cleveland | 21.3 |
29. | Minnesota | 21.2 |
30. | Chicago | 21.2 |
31. | Oakland | 20.9 |
32. | Arizona | 19.4 |
—Ian Allan