What is NFL strength of schedule? 2025 rankings by team
Every spring, a team of NFL executives pieces together an 18-week, 272-game schedule for the upcoming NFL season. The schedule makers consider multiple factors to ensure competitive balance, including bye weeks, travel and potential scheduling conflicts. They also use a rotation system to make sure each team plays one another at least once every four years.
The schedule makers create thousands of possible slates before settling on the final version.
With Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's take a look at each of the 32 teams' schedules and examine the strength of schedule for every team.
Who makes the NFL schedule?
A team led by NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder, NFL vice president of broadcasting planning Michael North, and NFL vice president of broadcast operations Onnie Bose create the NFL schedule.
What must each team's schedule include?
All 32 teams' 17-game schedule must have:
Six games against divisional opponents (two games per team, one at home and one on the road)
Four games against teams from a division within its conference (two games at home and two on the road)
Four games against teams from a division in the other conference (two games at home and two on the road)
Two games against teams from the two remaining divisions in its own conference (one game at home and one on the road)
A game against a nonconference opponent from a division that the team is not scheduled to play
What determines a team's strength of schedule?
A team's strength of schedule is primarily determined by the combined winning percentage of its opponents from the previous season.
Which team has the strongest schedule in 2025?
With a combined opponent winning percentage of .574 (166-123) during the 2024 season, the New York Giants have the strongest schedule in 2025.
Which team has the weakest schedule in 2025?
With a combined opponent winning percentage of .415 (120-169) during the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers have the weakest schedule in 2025.
Ranking every team's 2025 strength of schedule
1. New York Giants, .574
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 166-123
Schedule includes 10 2024 playoff teams
2. Detroit Lions, .571
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 165-124
Schedule includes 11 2024 playoff teams
3. Chicago Bears, .571
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 165-124
Schedule includes 10 2024 playoff teams
4. Philadelphia Eagles, .561
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 162-127
Schedule includes 11 2024 playoff teams
5. Dallas Cowboys, .557
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 161-128
Schedule includes 10 2024 playoff teams
6. Minnesota Vikings, .557
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 161-128
Schedule includes nine 2024 playoff teams
7. Green Bay Packers, .557
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 161-128
Schedule includes nine 2024 playoff teams
8. Washington Commanders, .550
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 159-130
Schedule includes eight 2024 playoff teams
9. Baltimore Ravens, .533
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 154-135
Schedule includes nine 2024 playoff teams
10. Pittsburgh Steelers, .526
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 152-137
Schedule includes seven 2024 playoff teams
11. Kansas City Chiefs, .522
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 151-138
Schedule includes 10 2024 playoff teams
12. Los Angeles Chargers, .522
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 151-138
Schedule includes nine 2024 playoff teams
13. Cleveland Browns, .519
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 150-139
Schedule includes eight 2024 playoff teams
14. Cincinnati Bengals, .509
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 147-142
Schedule includes nine 2024 playoff teams
15. Denver Broncos, .505
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 146-143
Schedule includes eight 2024 playoff teams
16. Las Vegas Raiders, .502
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 145-144
Schedule includes nine 2024 playoff teams
17. Los Angeles Rams, .491
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 142-147
Schedule includes five 2024 playoff teams
18. Houston Texans, .481
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 139-150
Schedule includes seven 2024 playoff teams
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, .481
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 139-150
Schedule includes five 2024 playoff teams
20. Atlanta Falcons, .478
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 138-151
Schedule includes six 2024 playoff teams
21. Miami Dolphins, .474
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 137-152
Schedule includes seven 2024 playoff teams
22. Seattle Seahawks, .474
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 137-152
Schedule includes seven 2024 playoff teams
23. Buffalo Bills, .467
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 135-154
Schedule includes six 2024 playoff teams
24. Jacksonville Jaguars, .467
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 135-154
Schedule includes six 2024 playoff teams
25. Indianapolis Colts, .464
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 134-155
Schedule includes seven 2024 playoff teams
26. New York Jets, .460
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 133-156
Schedule includes six 2024 playoff teams
27. Arizona Cardinals, .457
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 132-157
Schedule includes five 2024 playoff teams
28. Carolina Panthers, .457
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 132-157
Schedule includes five 2024 playoff teams
29. Tennessee Titans, .450
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 130-159
Schedule includes six 2024 playoff teams
30. New England Patriots, .429
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 124-165
Schedule includes five 2024 playoff teams
31. New Orleans Saints, .419
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 121-168
Schedule includes four 2024 playoff teams
32. San Francisco 49ers, .415
Opponents' combined 2024 record: 120-169
Schedule includes four 2024 playoff teams
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