Strength of schedule for all 32 NFL teams: Which teams have the hardest, easiest schedule for 2021?
Right on schedule, it’s the 2021 NFL schedule.
Not too long after the conclusion of the 2021 NFL Draft, the league is releasing its slate of games for all 32 NFL squads for this upcoming year.
But who has the easiest path to success? Who has the hardest? While we don’t know where exactly these games are lining up on the slate just yet, the opponents for the 2021 season have long been known by the way that NFL formulates its schedule.
There’s a small twist, too: The NFL has added 17th regular season game added to the slate this year, which is based on another addition to the existing formula which helps make the schedules.
Here’s how the strength of schedule for all 32 teams breaks down:
Who has the toughest NFL schedule in 2021?
The Pittsburgh Steelers, coming off a 12-4 season, have the most difficult schedule to navigate in 2021, with their opponents’ 2020 win percentage at .563.
In addition to playing a difficult AFC North, the Steelers have to tango with the Seahawks, Packers and Chiefs this year, all teams who were playoff teams in 2020.
The Seahawks were the 17th opponent added for the league’s expanded schedule.
The Steelers won’t be walking an easy road in the AFC North, per usual: The Browns and Bengals are both much improved squads, with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens providing a good division fight twice a year.
Who has the easiest NFL schedule in 2021?
On the other side of Pennsylvania, fly, Eagles, fly: Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles have the easiest schedule for 2021. Their opponents’ 2020 winning percentage sits at .451.
Playing against a weak — but improving — NFC East, the Eagles also draw the Lions, Broncos and Jets. They do have some difficult home games, with the 49ers and defending champion Bucs entering the building.
The Giants could provide for a difficult hurdle in the division, with the offense loaded with talent entering Year 3 of the Daniel Jones Era. The Cowboys are also returning Dak Prescott under center after a devastating ankle injury, while the NFC East-winning Washington Football Team is looking to prove last year’s division win wasn’t a fluke.
2021 NFL strength of schedule rankings
Fans pining for a different quarterback to hoist a Lombardi Trophy might not be happy with the following strength of schedule rankings: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gifted the second-easiest schedule in the league come in their title-defense season, and the division around them might not be getting any tougher.
2021 NFL schedule for all 32 teams
While dates have yet to be set for each of the 32 teams’ matchups, fans have a decent idea as to who is playing who come the 2021 season. The formula the NFL uses is as follows:
While the dates and times of these games are scheduled to be released on May 12, we already know the opponents for all 32 squads. Here’s what we know:
AFC East
New England Patriots
Buffalo Bills
New York Jets
Miami Dolphins
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bengals
AFC South
Houston Texans
Tennessee Titans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Washington Football Team
NFC North
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
NFC South
New Orleans Saints
Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carolina Panthers
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams
Arizona Cardinals
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