Green Bay Packers already get some tough news about next season
They don’t call it the “Black-and-Blue Division” for nothing.
While the NFC North — formerly known as the NFC Central — gained its nickname for being rough and physical, it hasn’t always been that way.
However, the division has regained some of its mojo in recent years. While only the Vikings (13-3) made the playoffs last year, the Lions (9-7) and Packers (7-9) are playoff-caliber teams and the Bears (5-11) are improving.
And if the teams in the NFC North don’t beat each other up this season, the schedule makers say they’re in for a rough-and-tumble season based on having the toughest schedules.
2018 NFL strength of schedule: Texans have it easiest, Packers face roughest ride https://t.co/Hg5Es7RFqF pic.twitter.com/IsggKi4NJh
— SportsRadio 740 (@SportsRadio_740) February 12, 2018
Specifically, the Packers have the toughest strength of schedule in the NFL for the coming season, based on the combined winning percentage their opponents had last season. For the Packers, their 2018 opponents had a combined winning percentage of .539 in 2017.
The Lions and Saints tied for second-toughest schedule, while the Bears, Vikings and Giants tied for the eighth-toughest schedule using the same metrics.
The NFC North teams not only play each other twice, they match up with the NFC West this year, which includes the Rams, Seattle, Arizona and San Francisco. They also have games against the AFC East team, which means playoff qualifiers in New England and Buffalo. And Green Bay also has Atlanta on its schedule, which has beaten Green Bay by a combined 34 points in their last two meetings.
And proof that the world is not fair, the Browns — coming off a winless season — have the fifth-hardest schedule next season, while the Super Bowl champion Eagles (19th hardest) and runner-up Patriots (22nd hardest) have far easier schedules.
The NFL has just announced that it will rename all Browns games on the 2018 schedule as a second bye week. https://t.co/Eam9CmpxzD
— Darryl Howerton (@darrylhowerton) January 18, 2018
Who has the easiest schedule? That would belong to two teams from the worst division in football last season, the AFC South.
The Texans have the easiest schedule. The teams on the Texans schedule went 114-140 last season for a combined winning percentage of .453. The Titans have the second-easiest schedule, as teams had a combined winning percentage of .465 last year.
Raiders have third-easiest strength of schedule in 2018 #Raiders https://t.co/JV4uBjpr8b pic.twitter.com/tHMmHyqDr9
— Raiders Report (@raiders_fanly) February 12, 2018
The Texans should improve upon their 4-12 record last year with quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive end J.J. Watt expected back from injuries that derailed their seasons in 2017.
Of course, just because a team was bad, or good last season doesn’t mean that will hold true this season. The Eagles, Rams, and Jaguars all had losing records in 2016 and were among the best teams in 2017.
Conversely, the Cowboys, Giants, and Raiders were among the best teams in 2016, only to fall flat in 2017.
As for 2018, the 49ers, Giants, and Texans are good candidates to flip their fortunes.
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