2026 NFL Strength of Schedule: Hardest & Easiest Slates, All 32 Teams

2026 SCHEDULE STRENGTH · ALL 32

HARDEST TO EASIEST · OPPONENT NET EPA/PLAY

#	TEAM	OPP EPA	PROJ W	TOUGHEST STRETCH
1	CHI	+0.022	8.4	Wk 15-17: Bills, Packers, Lions
2	MIA	+0.019	7.1	Wk 9-11: Lions, Colts, Bills
3	CAR	+0.018	6.6	Wk 4-7: Lions, Eagles, Buccaneers
4	LAR	+0.016	9.9	Wk 3-5: Broncos, Eagles, Bills
5	MIN	+0.016	8.8	Wk 8-10: Lions, Bills, Packers
6	ARI	+0.016	7.5	Wk 5-7: Lions, Rams, Broncos
7	GB	+0.014	9.5	Wk 9-12: Patriots, Vikings, Rams
8	DAL	+0.014	7.8	Wk 12-15: Eagles, Seahawks, Rams
9	LAC	+0.014	8.6	Wk 3-5: Bills, Seahawks, Broncos
10	NYJ	+0.014	6.1	Wk 16-18: Patriots, Vikings, Bills
11	LV	+0.012	6.1	Wk 5-7: Patriots, Bills, Rams
12	BUF	+0.011	10.3	Wk 3-5: Chargers, Patriots, Rams
13	NE	+0.011	9.3	Wk 10-13: Lions, Chargers, Bills
14	NYG	+0.011	7.2	Wk 16-18: Lions, Cowboys, Eagles
15	SEA	+0.010	9.3	Wk 5-7: 49ers, Broncos, Chiefs
16	SF	+0.010	9.1	Wk 14-16: Rams, Chargers, Chiefs
17	KC	+0.006	9.1	Wk 12-14: Bills, Rams, Bengals
18	ATL	+0.005	8.4	Wk 10-13: Chiefs, Vikings, Lions
19	WAS	+0.005	8.4	Wk 6-9: 49ers, Eagles, Rams
20	TB	+0.004	8.8	Wk 8-11: Falcons, Bears, Lions
21	PIT	+0.003	8.4	Wk 11-13: Eagles, Broncos, Texans
22	HOU	+0.003	9.1	Wk 15-17: Jaguars, Eagles, Packers
23	TEN	+0.002	6.0	Wk 4-6: Ravens, Texans, Colts
24	DEN	+0.002	9.8	Wk 16-18: Bills, Patriots, Chargers
25	JAX	+0.000	9.0	Wk 5-8: Eagles, Texans, Colts
26	DET	-0.003	10.2	Wk 10-12: Patriots, Buccaneers, Bears
27	CIN	-0.004	7.9	Wk 2-4: Texans, Steelers, Jaguars
28	PHI	-0.005	10.1	Wk 3-5: Bears, Rams, Jaguars
29	IND	-0.005	9.0	Wk 1-3: Ravens, Chiefs, Texans
30	NO	-0.006	8.2	Wk 11-13: Bears, Bengals, Packers
31	BAL	-0.007	9.9	Wk 8-10: Bills, Jaguars, Chargers
32	CLE	-0.016	8.1	Wk 16-18: Ravens, Colts, Bengals

2026 STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE · FAQ

Which NFL team has the hardest schedule in 2026?

The Chicago Bears, by average opponent net EPA per play (+0.022). Strength of schedule here is forward-looking, from our 10,000-simulation projection of the real 2026 slate.

Which team has the easiest 2026 schedule?

The Cleveland Browns (-0.016 opponent EPA/play), the softest slate of the 32.

How is 2026 strength of schedule calculated?

We average each opponent's projected net EPA per play across the team's real 2026 schedule. It weights the quality of the opponents, not just their prior-year records, and updates as in-season ratings move.

ALL 2026 PROJECTIONS PLAYOFF PICTURE METHODOLOGY

Opponent strength from 10,000 simulations of the real 2026 schedule; regressed 2025 EPA, updated as in-season ratings move. Projection by Noah Owsiany, M.S. Business Analytics.