The Falcons and new coach Dan Quinn will face the NFL's easiest schedule in 2015--at least based on the records of their opponents in 2014.
The dates for the 2015 schedule have yet to be determined but the opponents are known because of the NFL's schedule rotation. CBSsports.com crunched the numbers and found that Atlanta's foes in 2015 posted a .409 winning percentage in 2014, worse than any other team's opponents. The Falcons will play just four teams in 2015 who had a winning record in 2014, which is closely related to having played six games against opponents in the NFC South.
As the familiar warning goes, past performance does not necessarily predict future results. The NFL’s salary cap/free agency structure means there are fluctuations in the pecking order from year to year as rosters churn.
Anyway, here’s a look at the (theoretical) strength of schedule for each NFL team as compiled by CBSSports.com:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers: 147-107-2, .579
2. Cincinnati Bengals: 144-112, .563
3. San Francisco 49ers: 143-112-1, .561
4. Seattle Seahawks: 142-112-2, .559
5. Arizona Cardinals:142-113-1, .557
6. St. Louis Rams: 141-114-1, .553
T-7. Oakland Raiders: 139-116-1, .545
T-7. Kansas City Chiefs: 139-116-1, .545
9. Cleveland Browns: 138-116-2, .543
10. Denver Broncos: 138-117-1, .541
11. Baltimore Ravens: 137-117-2, .539
12. Minnesota Vikings: 138-118, .539
13. Chicago Bears: 136-120, .531
14. Green Bay Packers: 135-120-1, .529
15. Detroit Lions: 135-121, .527
16. San Diego Chargers: 132-123-1, .518
17. Miami Dolphins: 126-130, .492
18. New York Jets: 125-131, .488
19. Buffalo Bills: 124-131-1, .486
T-20. Washington Redskins: 122-133-1, .478
T-20. New York Giants: 122-133-1, .478
22. New England Patriots: 122-134, .477
23. Philadelphia Eagles: 121-134-1, .475
24. Dallas Cowboys: 119-136-1, .467
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: 118-137-1, .463
26. Tennessee Titans: 111-144-1, .435
27. Carolina Panthers: 111-145, .434
28. New Orleans Saints: 109-145-2, .429
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 108-146-2, .425
30. Houston Texans: 106-148-2, .417
31. Indianapolis Colts: 106-149-1, .417
32. Atlanta Falcons: 104-150-2, .409
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