| Week 17 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | Difficulty |
| 1 | Broncos | 49 |
| 2 | Buccaneers | 47 |
| 3 | Steelers | 46 |
| 4 | Raiders | 45.5 |
| 5 | Redskins | 44.5 |
| 6 | Chiefs | 44.5 |
| 7 | Packers | 43.5 |
| 8 | Ravens | 43.5 |
| 9 | Cowboys | 41.5 |
| 10 | Falcons | 41 |
| 11 | Lions | 40 |
| 12 | Seahawks | 38.5 |
| 13 | Giants | 38.5 |
| 14 | Dolphins | 34.5 |
| 15 | Patriots | 34.5 |
Who has had the easiest path to the playoffs? Who has had the hardest? This strength of schedule table is based off current power rankings and gives you those answers. Key word, current. This is not a projection of strenth of schedule from before the season, but based off the current power ranking positions of the teams they have played.
The Patriots have a 13-2 record, but have had a patsy schedule, not to mention they played the Steelers without Roethlisberger. They do have a 12-3 record against the spread, but haven’t been tested besides a Seahawks game, that they lost.
Also, if the Dolphins and the Broncos had switched schedules, maybe the Broncos would be in the playoffs. The Buccaneers strength of schedule knocked them out of the playoffs. The Raiders record with the 4th toughest schedule is impressive. Vegas still hasn’t shown them respect, they have gone 12-3 against the spread. The Steelers may have 5 losses, but they came against a schedule tougher than most. They have been tested this season.
Before you buy too much into the records of the teams, check out their strength of schedule to determine whether there value is inflated.