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NFL Schedule and Difficulty Rankings

On the eve of the official NFL schedule release I thought it would be interesting to breakdown the NFL schedule formula and find out which team has the easiest and hardest schedule on paper next year and where the Cardinals fall in the formula.

The formula that the NFL uses to create a teams schedule each year is based off of a combination of four factors:

1) 2 Games vs each team in their own division. 6 Total

2) 1 Game vs each team from a division within the conference. 4 Total

3) 1 Game vs each team from a division outside the conference. 4 Total

4) 2 Games based on previous years standings, also called "Like Opponents". 2 Total

16 Total

The divisions are rotated on a four year cycle which guarantees that each team will meet at least once every four years.

The interesting thing about the "Like Opponent" game is that the team plays two teams that finished in the same division spot as themselves, an example is the Cardinals playing the Giants and Titans who each finished first in their division.

Now, the question is who has the easiest and hardest schedule for the year, and where does the Cardinals schedule rank on paper?

Star-divide


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According to NFL.com:

                                                       Opponents 2008 Win %:               Opponents 2008 W-L:

Hardest: #1 Miami Dolphins                             .594                                152-104

Easiest: #32 Chicago Bears                             .414                                105-149-2

 

The 49ers #26, Cardinals rank #27 ( .441, 113-143) followed by #28 Ravens, #29 Steelers, #30 Packers, #31 Vikings.


Of course this is only on paper, but due to the schedule who does it look like will emerge from this as division and conference winners? How do you like the odds that Arizona returns to a championship game? And does the Vikings potentially easy schedule put them into a spot to potentially contend for the NFC Championship?

 

0 recs  |  Comment 8 comments

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Inter-conference divisional play

The other NFC divisions are on a three year rotation, so we play those divisions every 3 years, as opposed to the AFC division 4 year rotation.

by AJ BirdWatcher on Apr 14, 2009 8:02 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank you for the correction

I didn’t think about that. Because we are one of the NFC divisions it would need to be a 3 year rotation within the conference.

by CardsFan08 on Apr 14, 2009 12:20 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

strength of schedule

having the rest of the NFC west combine for 13-35 record does alot to help our strength of schedule right now. The AFC south is solid so that’s three tough games (if not four depending on the Jags) and the NFC north is improving now that a couple of teams have upgraded their QB situation. When you throw in the Giants and the Panthers, I think we’ve got a pretty formidable schedule but luckily I think we’ll be a pretty formidable opponent each and every week (drink some of that off season kool aid).

As far as I’m concerned whichever team fairs the best inside the West will likely end up winning the division. I still like our chances.

by Bezekira on Apr 14, 2009 11:00 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Our division

should be somewhat tougher as I don’t think Seattle will lose 4 games again. SanFran went 7-9 last season and should improve on that. I don’t see the Rams getting that much better but that does not mean they won’t be somewhat competitive.

Based on the fact that now we believe we can survive in the playoffs, go to the SuperBowl, and all our players are another year seasoned we should have no problem winning the West again this year.

by Pyromnc on Apr 14, 2009 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

May not sweep division but...

the West shouldn’t be too difficult to take. I think the timing of the east coast games will help determine whether those are wins or losses, unless they can find their winter game and bring it this year.

by CardsFan08 on Apr 14, 2009 1:03 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Unfortunately

Teams improve and get worse so essentially, the Cardinals could have a tough schedule next year.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Apr 14, 2009 12:38 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree

Though after looking at the schedule it doesn’t seem unfeasible that the Cards win 9+ games next year.

by CardsFan08 on Apr 14, 2009 1:01 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Remember last year

Before last season everyone was talking about the same thing. The Steelers had the toughest schedule in the league. Everyone was saying that they were gonna struggle since they lost Alan Faneca and because of their hard schedule. Then they won the superbowl. Teams change so much every year it’s hard to tell what each team will look like until preseason is winding up.

by CardsDefense on Apr 14, 2009 1:03 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

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