The NFL did the math and released the team strength of schedule based off of the 2019 results. I wanted to post those and give some of my thoughts on this might play out this season.
My first observation is that the Ravens had the easiest schedule and they clearly are the best team in the AFC North. In addition they are also a top 4 team in the AFC and this schedule is really going to help them win their first playoff game with Lamar Jackson (if he stays healthy).
At the other end of the spectrum seeing the Patriots have the hardest schedule just confirms what I have been thinking already…..Belichik is going to tank the season to get Trevor Lawrence. It’s perfect because they lost the GOAT, didn’t pick up a quality starter and have a hard schedule that he can point to the fanbase. If Lawrence doesn’t play this year (since the NCAA may not) he can choose to either enter the draft and play for the greatest mind in football or return for his redux junior season. It just perfectly aligns.
The Steelers are going to need an easier schedule and isn’t that just downright perfect for them. Things like this always seem to play out for those guys. Likewise the Browns have no excuses this year if 2019 is any indicator for them. Make or break fatty Mayfield, make or break.
In the NFC I can see this schedule really helping the Saints get back to the Super Bowl for once last ride with Brees. I also see it being a tougher road for the 49ers to get back to the Super Bowl; that is a team that still baffles me because I don’t think Jimmy G is that good. It would be fun to see a Brady versus Jimmy G in the playoffs though.
So what about the Bengals? Certainly an easier schedule is really going to help this new team. Burrow will especially be helped out by this but no game is easy and the parity in the league is always greater each season. They have the 6th easiest schedule so you know all of the haters are going to say “well their schedule was easy, of course they won 8 games.” Yes I said it, 8 games. Let’s remember that the numbers are skewed for the AFC North and NFC East teams though because of how bad the Bengals, Steelers, Giants and Redskins were last season. When you play bad teams twice it brings down next year’s average.