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Hardest/Easiest NFL Schedules Down The Stretch And What They Mean

By Eric Saar

Nov 23, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) rushes against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) rushes against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Taking a look at the schedules for all the NFL teams to determine which ones are the easiest and hardest, extrapolating to see how it will affect the playoffs.

All the bye weeks are gone and now it’s coming down to the final five weeks of the NFL regular season.

Method

You are what your record says you are. That legendary saying is pretty applicable right now. No matter how much a team thinks they have what it takes to make the postseason; if their record isn’t good enough, it’s not happening.

I wrote down the remaining schedules for all thirty teams and after cross-referencing them found the three teams with the easiest schedule down the stretch, as well as the most difficult.

In all the calculations, the aggregate record of the opponents includes duplicates when teams play multiple times down the stretch.

Easiest

Coincidentally, the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and the Houston Texans all are tied for the easiest schedule going forward with an opponent aggregate record of 18-37. We’ll see how it will affect their playoff chances with an easy schedule.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans are 2-9 and are basically out of the playoffs already, so it doesn’t really matter they are tied for the easiest schedule in the final five games.

The Titans play the Houston Texans (5-6), New York Giants (3-8), and the New York Jets (2-9), followed by the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10) and the Indianapolis Colts (7-4).

Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a catch in front of San Francisco 49ers corner back Perrish Cox (20) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Giants 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a catch in front of San Francisco 49ers corner back Perrish Cox (20) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Giants 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Giants

Even though they have a bright future with electrifying wide receiver Odell Beckam Jr, the Giants lost another game and fell to 3-8. It ultimately won’t matter that they have an easy schedule, because if they run the table they’ll still only be 8-8, which almost certainly won’t be good enough for the wild card spot in the NFC.

They play the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10), Tennessee Titans (2-9), then finish with the Washington Redskins (3-8), St. Louis Rams (4-7) and the Philadelphia Eagles (8-3).

Houston Texans

If the Texans hadn’t just lost their starting quarterback Ryan Mallett to injury, they would have more hope of getting into the playoffs with their easy schedule the final five games. The Texans at 5-6 could make the playoffs as a wild card if they can manage to win out with their cushy schedule.

They play the Tennessee Titans (2-9), Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10), Indianapolis Colts (7-4), and the Baltimore Ravens (7-4), followed by another matchup with the Jaguars.

Hardest

These teams have a tough road ahead. Their opponents down the stretch have a combined record eleven games over .500 or higher.

Nov 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs past St. Louis Rams defenders on his way to a 29-yard touchdown pass from Phillip Rivers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs past St. Louis Rams defenders on his way to a 29-yard touchdown pass from Phillip Rivers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers at 7-4 have the toughest schedule the rest of the way with their opponents’ aggregate record being 38-24. They just got running back Ryan Matthews back, but will still have a tough time converting games into wins.

They play Baltimore (7-4), New England (9-2), Denver (8-3), and San Francisco (7-4), finishing up with the Kansas City Chiefs (7-4).

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are defending Superbowl champions and currently sit at 7-4. Their remaining matchups include the rest of their division and have an aggregate record of 35-20. With their defense, and the high-level play of quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch the Seahawks will nab a wild card slot.

They play San Francisco 49ers (7-4), Philadelphia Eagles (8-3), San Francisco 49ers (7-4) again, Arizona Cardinals (9-2), and the St. Louis Rams (4-7).

Buffalo Bills

The Bills had a great start, but at 6-5 with a tough schedule ahead as their upcoming opponents’ record is 33-22, their record could go bad fast.

They still have to play the Cleveland Browns (7-4), Denver Broncos (8-3), Green Bay Packers (8-3), and the Oakland Raiders, finishing with the New England Patriots (9-2).

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