Kansas City’s offense has been a disappointment this year, averaging only 3 TDs per week. That’s about a touchdown less than what most were expecting. And as I look at the closing games, I’m not thinking that unit will suddenly spring to life.
Over the next three weeks, KC will face defenses that have allowed a combined 57 touchdowns in 36 games – under 1.6 per week. That’s powered by New England this week, but Denver and Chicago haven’t been chopped liver either. The total is the fewest for any team over the next three weeks.
Buffalo also faces a tough scheduling patch. It also has a New England game left, and it’s total of 58 is 11 fewer than 30 other teams.
If you’re looking for soft defenses, the Giants and Seahawks lead the way. They’ll both play their next three games against defenses that have allowed over 100 combined touchdowns (almost twice as many as Buffalo and Kansas City).
On this chart, I’m leaving Week 17 out (I believe most fantasy leagues are done by that time).
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE, TOUCHDOWNS (Wks 14-16) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Team | Run | Pass | Total |
NY Giants | 32 | 73 | 105 |
Seattle | 38 | 63 | 101 |
Jacksonville | 31 | 67 | 98 |
LA Chargers | 33 | 64 | 97 |
Indianapolis | 37 | 60 | 97 |
Washington | 37 | 59 | 96 |
Tennessee | 25 | 71 | 96 |
Denver | 28 | 68 | 96 |
Miami | 37 | 57 | 94 |
Philadelphia | 34 | 58 | 92 |
Tampa Bay | 23 | 68 | 91 |
Minnesota | 32 | 57 | 89 |
San Francisco | 28 | 60 | 88 |
Pittsburgh | 29 | 59 | 88 |
Cleveland | 31 | 57 | 88 |
Carolina | 31 | 56 | 87 |
Atlanta | 45 | 42 | 87 |
Oakland | 34 | 51 | 85 |
NY Jets | 27 | 58 | 85 |
Dallas | 30 | 53 | 83 |
Cincinnati | 26 | 57 | 83 |
Chicago | 36 | 47 | 83 |
Arizona | 28 | 54 | 82 |
Houston | 22 | 59 | 81 |
Green Bay | 25 | 56 | 81 |
Detroit | 19 | 62 | 81 |
Baltimore | 32 | 48 | 80 |
New England | 36 | 43 | 79 |
LA Rams | 30 | 41 | 71 |
New Orleans | 21 | 48 | 69 |
Buffalo | 21 | 37 | 58 |
Kansas City | 22 | 35 | 57 |
If you want to look at the more traditional wins and losses, the Eagles, Browns and Giants project to play the easiest closing schedules.
The Titans, Bills and Bears have the hardest remaining schedules.
On this one, I’m leaving in Week 17 (thinking that this chart might be used more by people in trying to gauge which teams will be winning divisions and playoff spots).
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE, WINS (Wks 14-17) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | T | Pct |
Philadelphia | 13 | 35 | 0 | .271 |
Cleveland | 15 | 32 | 1 | .323 |
NY Giants | 16 | 32 | 0 | .333 |
Miami | 17 | 31 | 0 | .354 |
Jacksonville | 19 | 29 | 0 | .396 |
Oakland | 19 | 29 | 0 | .396 |
Green Bay | 19 | 28 | 1 | .406 |
Dallas | 20 | 28 | 0 | .417 |
Tampa Bay | 20 | 27 | 1 | .427 |
New England | 21 | 27 | 0 | .438 |
Minnesota | 21 | 26 | 1 | .448 |
Washington | 22 | 26 | 0 | .458 |
Cincinnati | 23 | 25 | 0 | .479 |
Houston | 23 | 25 | 0 | .479 |
Kansas City | 23 | 25 | 0 | .479 |
Indianapolis | 24 | 24 | 0 | .500 |
Atlanta | 24 | 24 | 0 | .500 |
Baltimore | 25 | 23 | 0 | .521 |
Seattle | 25 | 22 | 1 | .531 |
Denver | 25 | 22 | 1 | .531 |
LA Chargers | 26 | 22 | 0 | .542 |
Detroit | 26 | 22 | 0 | .542 |
Pittsburgh | 26 | 21 | 1 | .552 |
New Orleans | 28 | 20 | 0 | .583 |
Carolina | 29 | 19 | 0 | .604 |
NY Jets | 29 | 19 | 0 | .604 |
Arizona | 29 | 19 | 0 | .604 |
LA Rams | 29 | 18 | 1 | .615 |
San Francisco | 30 | 18 | 0 | .625 |
Chicago | 31 | 17 | 0 | .646 |
Buffalo | 31 | 17 | 0 | .646 |
Tennessee | 32 | 16 | 0 | .667 |
—Ian Allan