Now that the 2011 NFL schedule has been released it's a good time to look back at strength of schedule. We knew each team's 2011 opponents the day the 2010 season ended so strength of schedule has been known for some time but with the actual schedule out now it's relevant again.
Ironically enough, the Carolina Panthers, who hold the top pick in the 2011 NFL draft, have the hardest schedule heading into 2011. That's likely because they'll play six games against the Falcons, Saints and Bucs. Atlanta had 13 wins last year, New Orleans had 11 wins and the Bucs had 10 wins. That's a heck of a division.
The Jets and Colts are third and fourth among those with the toughest schedules so if they make the playoffs, they'll have earned it.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Ravens have the second easiest schedule behind the Cardinals if the 2010 season is our comparison. That bodes well for them returning to the playoffs once again.
Here's a full look at the 2011 strength of schedule for every team:
| Team | Combined win-loss record | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Carolina Panthers | 142-114-0 | .555 |
| 2. Buffalo Bills | 137-119-0 | .535 |
| 3t. New York Jets* | 133-123-0 | .520 |
| 3t. Indianapolis Colts* | 133-123-0 | .520 |
| 3t. Jacksonville Jaguars | 133-123-0 | .520 |
| 3t. Kansas City Chiefs* | 133-123-0 | .520 |
| 3t. San Diego Chargers | 133-133-0 | .520 |
| 3t. Denver Broncos | 133-123-0 | .520 |
| 3t. Detroit Lions | 133-123-0 | .520 |
| 10t. Miami Dolphins | 132-124-0 | .516 |
| 10t. Houston Texans | 132-124-0 | .516 |
| 10t. Minnesota Vikings | 132-124-0 | .516 |
| 13t. Green Bay Packers* | 130-126-0 | .508 |
| 13t. New Orleans Saints* | 130-126-0 | .508 |
| 15t. New England Patriots* | 129-127-0 | .504 |
| 15t. Philadelphia Eagles* | 129-127-0 | .504 |
| 15t. Dallas Cowboys | 129-127-0 | .504 |
| 18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 127-129-0 | .496 |
| 19t. Cleveland Browns | 126-130-0 | .492 |
| 19t. Oakland Raiders | 126-130-0 | .492 |
| 19t. New York Giants | 126-130-0 | .492 |
| 19t. Atlanta Falcons* | 126-130-0 | .492 |
| 23t. Tennessee Titans | 125-131-0 | .488 |
| 23t. Chicago Bears* | 125-131-0 | .488 |
| 23t. Seattle Seahawks* | 125-131-0 | .488 |
| 26. St. Louis Rams | 122-134-0 | .477 |
| 27t. Pittsburgh Steelers* | 121-135-0 | .473 |
| 27t. Cincinnati Bengals | 121-135-0 | .473 |
| 27t. Washington Redskins | 121-135-0 | .473 |
| 30. San Francisco 49ers | 119-137-0 | .465 |
| 31. Baltimore Ravens* | 117-139-0 | .457 |
| 32. Arizona Cardinals | 113-143-0 | .441 |