If the Eagles are going to win the NFC East for the second straight season and get back to the Super Bowl, it’s not going to be easy and that’s because they’ll be facing the NFL’s most difficult strength of schedule in 2023.
It’s been 20 years since the NFC East has produced a repeat champion and based on this year’s strength of schedule, that’s a drought that likely isn’t going to end this season. Philadelphia has a strength of schedule of .566, which not only gives them the most difficult schedule for the upcoming season, but it makes them one of only two teams in the NFL — along with the Dolphins — who will have a strength of schedule above .550.
The Eagles’ rough schedule includes 10 games against 2022 playoff teams, which is tied for the most in the NFL. To put that in perspective, the other Super Bowl team from last year — Kansas City — will only have seven games against playoff teams from last season.
The Eagles’ home schedule is especially brutal with six of their eight games coming against teams that made the playoffs last year (Cowboys, Giants, Bills, 49ers, Dolphins and Vikings). If you add the Commanders, that means seven of Philly’s eight home games will come against teams that finished 2022 with a record of .500 or better.
The second-most difficult schedule belongs to the Dolphins, who will face a brutal road schedule this year with games against the Bills, Chiefs, Chargers, Eagles, Ravens and Aaron Rodgers‘ Jets.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the easiest strength of schedule belongs to Atlanta at .417. The Falcons only play four 2022 playoff teams, which is the lowest number a team can play in a season based on the current scheduling formula.
If you’re looking for a division that could produce a few surprise teams next season, then you might want to look at the NFC South. One dark horse in that division could be Derek Carr’s Saints, who will be facing one of the easier schedules in the NFL.
At .427, the Saints have the second easiest schedule going into 2023 (The Falcons and Saints are the only two teams facing a strength of schedule under .430).
The good news for the Saints and/or the Falcons is that over the past SEVEN YEARS, at least one team playing one of the two easiest schedules has made the postseason. If that trend stands, then either New Orleans or Atlanta (or both teams) will be making it to the playoffs in…
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