Strength of schedule is always an interesting conversation during the offseason, but the gaze is often focused in the wrong direction. 2022 crystalizes this more than other recent years. Any fan looking at their team’s schedule this offseason would’ve circled the Los Angeles Rams as one of the toughest games on the itinerary.
But the Rams are 3-7 and look miserable just a year after hoisting the Lombardi trophy. Offseason strength of schedule based on what happened the prior year means very little. But who a club has faced on their journey in the current season? Well that’s something worth sticking a feather in a cap. Based on whom they’ve faced through 11 weeks, the Dallas Cowboys are the only NFC team that has played 50% of their schedule against other playoff teams. They are 3-2 in those games and their record is even more impressive when considering they’ve played 50% of their games without their starting quarterback.
Here’s a look at how each of the current 14 teams in the playoff race have gotten there considering these two key factors.