The Kansas City Chiefs finished the regular season with a 12-4 record in 2019, securing the No. 2 seed in the AFC. It was one of the toughest schedules in the league, ranked fifth-hardest in the NFL based on strength of schedule. In addition to a tough schedule, they dealt with an injury to star QB Patrick Mahomes, yet they still managed to win Super Bowl LIV.
Look no further than the Chiefs’ 2019 team to see how strength of schedule has its faults as a predictor. It’s all based on the records from the previous season and doesn’t take into account the different changes that teams have made in the offseason. Still, it doesn’t exactly hurt to play against teams that have struggled to find success recently.
With the NFL’s schedule reveal around the corner, it’s time to check and see just how difficult the Chiefs’ schedule will be in 2020. Our friend Nick Wojton over at Bills Wire broke down the strength of schedule of all 32 NFL teams. Check out his calculations below:
1. New England Patriots: 137-118-1 (.537)
2. New York Jets: 136-119-1 (.533)
3. Miami Dolphins: 135-120-1 (.529)
4. San Francisco 49ers: 134-120-2 (.528)
T5. Buffalo Bills: 134-121-1 (.525)
T5. Detroit Lions: 134-121-1 (.525)
T5. Atlanta Falcons: 134-121-1 (.525)
T8. Arizona Cardinals: 132-123-1 (.518)
T8. Houston Texans: 132-123-1 (.518)
T10. Los Angeles Rams: 131-123-2 (.516)
T10. Minnesota Vikings: 131-123-2 (.516)
12. Denver Broncos: 131-125 (.512)
T13. Seattle Seahawks: 129-125-2 (.508)
T13. Chicago Bears: 129-125-2 (.508)
15. Green Bay Packers: 128-126-2 (.504)
T16. Indianapolis Colts: 128-127-1 (.502)
T16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 128-127-1 (.502)
T18. Carolina Panthers: 127-127-2 (.500)
T18. Kansas City Chiefs: 128-128 (.500)
20. Tennessee Titans: 127-128-1 (.498)
21. Las Vegas Raiders: 127-129 (.496)
22. Jacksonville Jaguars: 126-129-1 (.494)
23. Los Angeles Chargers: 126-130 (.492)
24. New Orleans Saints: 125-130-1 (.490)
25. Philadelphia Eagles: 124-131-1 (.486)
26. New York Giants: 123-132-1 (.482)
27. Cincinnati Bengals: 122-134 (.477)
28. Washington Redskins: 118-136-2 (.465)
29. Cleveland Browns: 118-138 (.461)
30. Dallas Cowboys: 117-138-1 (.459)
31. Pittsburgh Steelers: 117-139 (.457)
32. Baltimore Ravens: 112-144 (.438)
You can see the Chiefs are tied for the 18th in strength of schedule with the Panthers, so they’re right in the middle of the pack. It’s hard to say this will give them a distinct advantage in their pursuit of becoming repeat Super Bowl champions, but it certainly can’t hurt Kansas City.
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