Typically strength of schedule is a formula using the previous season’s win/loss totals. That problem with that is teams change considerably from one season to the next and their previous season’s win total rarely portends what they will do the next season.
Another way you can go about figuring up the strength of schedule is by going with projected win totals. That’s what Vegas oddsmakers do best. They put a line on each team’s win totals.
If you use those projected win totals, the results come up with something a little different. That’s what William Hill Sportsbook did and the results show the Raiders have one of the toughest schedules in the league next season.
Based on projected win totals, the Raiders are tied for the fifth toughest in the league.
ATLANTA FALCONS 138
NEW YORK GIANTS 136.5
CAROLINA PANTHERS 135
DENVER BRONCOS 135
NEW YORK JETS/LAS VEGAS RAIDERS 134.5
By comparison, their division rival Chargers have the league’s fourth easiest schedule (126.5).
The toughest part of the Raiders’s schedule comes at home, where they have the third toughest schedule.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 71
DENVER BRONCOS 70.5
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS 70.5
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 70
NEW YORK GIANTS/DETROIT LIONS 68.5
As it happens, the Chiefs (59) and Chargers (59.5) have the two easiest home schedules in the league.
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