The Patriots and Bears have been two of the big surprises this year. Both have second-year quarterbacks – but both also have benefitted from easy schedules.
In the case of New England, its opponents have gone 70-112 in their other games. That’s after going 3-11 against the Patriots. That’s been the easiest schedule in the league.
Two teams tie for the second-easiest schedule: the Bears and Broncos.
At the other end of things, the Texans and Rams stand out among the teams that have played the hardest schedules. Both have good records, and both have been able to do it despite playing a lot of quality opponents.
| STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE (thru Week 15) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | T | Pct |
| New England | 70 | 112 | 0 | .385 |
| Chicago | 74 | 106 | 2 | .412 |
| Denver | 74 | 106 | 2 | .412 |
| LA Chargers | 79 | 103 | 0 | .434 |
| Cleveland | 82 | 99 | 1 | .453 |
| Dallas | 83 | 99 | 0 | .456 |
| Baltimore | 84 | 98 | 0 | .462 |
| San Francisco | 84 | 98 | 0 | .462 |
| Miami | 85 | 97 | 0 | .467 |
| Green Bay | 86 | 96 | 0 | .473 |
| Washington | 85 | 95 | 2 | .473 |
| Seattle | 87 | 95 | 0 | .478 |
| Detroit | 87 | 92 | 3 | .486 |
| Buffalo | 90 | 92 | 0 | .495 |
| Carolina | 90 | 90 | 2 | .500 |
| Indianapolis | 91 | 91 | 0 | .500 |
| Jacksonville | 91 | 91 | 0 | .500 |
| NY Jets | 91 | 90 | 1 | .503 |
| Atlanta | 92 | 90 | 0 | .505 |
| Philadelphia | 92 | 87 | 3 | .514 |
| Tampa Bay | 96 | 86 | 0 | .527 |
| Pittsburgh | 96 | 85 | 1 | .530 |
| Minnesota | 96 | 84 | 2 | .533 |
| New Orleans | 97 | 85 | 0 | .533 |
| Kansas City | 99 | 82 | 1 | .547 |
| NY Giants | 100 | 80 | 2 | .555 |
| Las Vegas | 101 | 80 | 1 | .558 |
| LA Rams | 102 | 80 | 0 | .560 |
| Cincinnati | 102 | 79 | 1 | .563 |
| Houston | 104 | 78 | 0 | .571 |
| Arizona | 104 | 76 | 2 | .577 |
| Tennessee | 105 | 77 | 0 | .577 |
—Ian Allan