Colts Have NFL’s Easiest Strength of Schedule in 2017
According to CBS Sports John Breech, the Indianapolis Colts have the NFL’s easiest schedule in 2017–ranking last among the league’s 32 teams in strength of schedule:
"1. Denver Broncos: 147-107-2, .5782. Kansas City Chiefs: 147-108-1, .5763. Los Angeles Chargers: 145-110-1, .5684. Oakland Raiders: 144-111-1 .5645. Buffalo Bills: 143-112-1, .5616. Miami Dolphins: 140-116-0, .5477. Washington Redskins: 138-116-2, .543T-8. New York Giants: 135-117-4, .535T-8. New York Jets: 137-119-0, .535T-10. Dallas Cowboys: 134-118-4, .531T-10. Philadelphia Eagles: 134-118-4, .53112. New England Patriots: 135-121-0, .52713. Atlanta Falcons: 133-122-1, .52114. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 132-123-1, .51815. New Orleans Saints: 130-125-1, .51416. Carolina Panthers: 129-127, .50417. Los Angeles Rams: 121-130-5, .48218. Green Bay Packers: 122-132-2, .48019. Chicago Bears: 122-133-1, .47920. San Francisco 49ers: 119-132-5, .475T-21. Detroit Lions: 119-135-2, .469T-21. Cleveland Browns: 119-135-2, .46923. Arizona Cardinals: 118-135-3, .46724. Baltimore Ravens: 117-137-2, .461T-25. Seattle Seahawks: 115-138-3, .455T-25. Houston Texans: 115-138-3, .455T-27. Minnesota Vikings: 115-139-2, .453T-27. Pittsburgh Steelers: 115-139-2, .45329. Cincinnati Bengals: 115-141-0, .449T-30. Jacksonville Jaguars: 111-142-3, .439T-30. Tennessee Titans: 111-142-3, .43932. Indianapolis Colts: 107-146-3, .424"
The Colts will face opposing teams with a combined 107-146-3 record and an overall winning percentage of .424–clearly benefitting from playing in the once again woeful AFC South, as well as a handful of some of the NFL’s worst teams.
For comparison purposes, the Denver Broncos have the league’s toughest schedule, as they’re set to face opposing teams with a 147-107-2 combined overall record and a .568 winning percentage.
Meanwhile, the Super Bowl winning New England Patriots have the 12th toughest strength of schedule–facing teams with a 135-121-0 combined overall record and a .527 winning percentage.
While the Colts should once again have a great opportunity to beat up on the AFC South (and make the playoffs)–armed with superstar quarterback Andrew Luck, it’s still worth noting that the team has missed the playoffs now for consecutive seasons, so it’s no guarantee either.
If the team can shore up their historically awful defense to being at least ‘average’ next season, the Colts could very well reclaim the AFC South crown though.
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Among the projected tougher teams, the Colts will play at home are the Denver Broncos (9-7), Arizona Cardinals (7-8-1), and Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5), but the team also highly benefits from getting the opportunity to play the Cleveland Browns (1-15) and San Francisco 49ers (2-14) along with their ordinary AFC South foes.
Otherwise, on the road, the Colts will face tougher teams on the road such as the Cincinnati Bengals (6-9-1), Buffalo Bills (7-9), Baltimore Ravens (8-8), and most challenging, the Seattle Seahawks (10-5-1), but the team also receives the luxury of traveling to play the Los Angeles Rams (4-12) among their aforementioned ordinary AFC South foes.