Halfway Point - Schedule Analysis

Schedule Strength in Review

Despite having already kicked off games past week 8, I was still able to run some stats on what types of schedules teams have faced so far in the year and what predictions we might be able to look at for the 2nd half of the year.

The full spreadsheet can be found here, but below is my summary.

The Texans, at 4-4, had one of the toughest schedules this first half of the season. With a combined record of 34-27 for their opponents on the back end, it looks like they'll have a good fight in their division as Tennessee, at 4-4, also has an identical stretch.

Both teams would be fighting to knock off the Jaguars, who had a reasonably difficult schedule against teams of 38-32 combined, but their 2nd half schedule looks slightly easier despite them already having their first loss.

The NY Giants, despite being 2-6, have had one of the easier schedules on the front half with an opponent total of 29-39. Their 2nd half stretch is much more challenging, so it's hard to see them making better strides this season.

The Broncos, at 1-7, also had one of the tougher schedules, along with the Saints. But both teams are looking at easier schedules their 2nd half. This is likely to benefit New Orleans far more than Denver, who would have to see all 3 teams in the AFC West fall apart. The Saints are practically tied with Carolina, which looks to have a much tougher schedule their 2nd half. They'll need to work hard to take the division.

In the NFC East, the Redskins have an easy 2nd half at just 25-34 combined record, but is still a losing % much like the 31-38 they had the first 8 games. For their record being 4-4, it's tough to tell if they'll beat Philadelphia. While the Eagles are at 3-5, they've actually had a tougher 8 games to start and are looking at just a slightly less difficult time in the 2nd half of the year.

Chicago and Green Bay are both tied in their division, but Green Bay has had an easier schedule, which is about to get harder. The Bears, on the other hand, are about to face one of the easier schedules in the 2nd half.

The easiest 2nd half schedule goes to Seattle, who has done well at 7-2 with a very even schedule of 35-34 for their opponents this first half.

Both the Patriots and Jets have had fairly balanced schedules this first half and handled it well, but the Jets face a tougher back half than the Patriots, with one of the easiest 2nd half schedules. This may very well impact the playoff scenario (depending on how much you anticipated the Patriots NOT making it). Miami, which has had opportunities to move up in the division, has no easier time the rest of the year than they have so far.

Lastly, Pittsburgh, Cincinatti and Baltimore currently sit at 4-4, making the AFC North a tough division to figure out. Looking at schedules, Baltimore and Cincinnati both have had a fairly even first half, but Baltimore faces a tougher stretch for the remainder of the season. On the other hand, Pittsburgh faces one of the simpler ones, making it likely they'll rise to the top.

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