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2022 strength of schedule

Cowboys project to play easiest schedule

The Cowboys gained more yards and scored more points than anyone in the 2021 season. And if the early numbers are any suggestion, their schedule suggests they’ll have the inside track to put up more big numbers in the upcoming season.

The opponents for each team are set. And if we merge those opponents with how defenses performed last year, those numbers indicate the Cowboys in 2022 will play the easiest schedule in the league. Their upcoming opponents went only 131-157-1 last year, while also allowing a league-high 24.0 points per game.

Strength of schedule isn’t necessarily a key factor, of course. Teams and defenses change. Note that all four of the easiest schedules for 2022 project to go to the NFC East teams; that was a down division last year. Similarly, the next seven schedules in difficulty all go to teams from the NFC North and AFC South – two other down divisions.

But for whatever it’s worth, schedule points to Dallas.

The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, on paper should play the hardest schedule in 2022. Their upcoming opponents won 166 games last year – 10 more than any other schedule. And those opponents allowed an average of 21.7 points per game, the fewest in the league (over 2 points per week less than Dallas).

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE, 2022
TeamWLTPctPtsRk
Dallas1311571.45524.01
Washington1331551.46223.67
Philadelphia1331542.46423.66
NY Giants1341541.46523.65
Detroit1351540.46723.214
Chicago1351522.47123.82
Green Bay1351522.47123.68
Baltimore1361512.47422.526
Jacksonville1371511.47623.64
Indianapolis1371511.47623.411
Tennessee1381510.47823.215
Minnesota1391482.48422.918
Miami1411462.49122.821
New Orleans1421452.49523.312
Houston1431460.49522.919
NY Jets1421452.49521.731
Buffalo1451422.50523.313
LA Chargers1461430.50523.016
Cleveland1451422.50522.920
Carolina1451422.50522.722
Pittsburgh1471420.50922.525
Seattle1471411.51023.59
Denver1491400.51623.73
New England1491391.51723.410
San Francisco1521370.52622.917
Tampa Bay1521361.52822.723
Atlanta1521361.52822.428
Arizona1551340.53622.624
Cincinnati1541332.53622.229
Kansas City1561330.54022.427
Las Vegas1561321.54221.930
LA Rams1661230.57421.732

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index