The relative difficulty a team faces during a National Football League season is determined by the strength of its opponents. This concept examines the combined winning percentages of a team’s scheduled opponents from the previous season. For instance, a team whose opponents collectively had a low win percentage in the prior year is considered to have a less challenging path to the playoffs.
Understanding the projected difficulty level inherent in a team’s schedule holds considerable value for fans, analysts, and team management. It influences preseason predictions, impacts strategic decision-making during the season, and provides context for evaluating a team’s performance relative to expectations. Historically, teams facing less demanding schedules have demonstrated a statistically higher probability of securing playoff berths and achieving greater success.
