2020 Strength of Schedule. Where does your team fall? pic.twitter.com/p4eInpvH4m
— NFL (@NFL) May 17, 2020
It’s fairly meaningless, but the NFL compiles a strength of schedule list every year simply based on the opponents’ combined previous season record. The list doesn’t take into account any changes made to the team via free agency or the draft.
The 2019 strength of schedule showed the Kansas City Chiefs tied for the fifth most difficult schedule, and they went on to win the Super Bowl.
This year, the Steelers land at No. 2 with the second easiest strength of schedule. Their opponents had a combined record of 117-139 in 2019.
Like every other team, Pittsburgh will play four games against a team that finished in first place in 2019, four games against teams that finished in second, four games against teams that finished in third, and four games against teams that finished in last place.
The reason the Steelers’ strength of schedule ranks second is that they only play five teams that reached the NFL playoffs in 2019. AFC South and NFC East opponents had disappointing seasons in 2019 outside of the Tennessee Titans reaching the AFC Championship game.
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