The truth of the NFL schedule is this: Its not who you play, its when you play them. A team that looks tough on paper now might be a shell of itself when injuries hit in October. Maybe even sooner.
That said, strength of schedule is at least a guide to the challenges each team will face. And its the last piece of the puzzle for ranking the teams from best to worst before training camp begins.
So, now that the full 2026 schedule is out, here are my final Power Rankings of the offseason.
Super Bowl odds: +40000
They have a real chance to start 0-13 against a brutal schedule before they get to their bye week. After that, they will have the chance to rack up some wins against the Jets, Saints and Raiders, but by that point theyll have to ask themselves, “Why?”
Super Bowl odds: +30000
If they tanked for the top pick, would anyone know? Their last six games, and nine of their last 11, are against teams projected to win nine or more games. After opening against the Raiders, the slate gets ugly fast.
Super Bowl odds: +15000
Its hard to find a soft spot in this schedule for the Raiders to put top pick Fernando Mendoza in. Maybe Week 8 against the Jets or Week 12 against the Browns, but those are the only weak games after September for a while.
Super Bowl odds: +20000
The Jets schedule is relatively easy. They just have to survive Robert Salehs revenge quest in the opener and three straight games against the NFC North to get to the easier part that starts in Week 5.
Super Bowl odds: +15000
They have the NFLs easiest schedule based on last years record and travel fewer miles than all but one team. In theory, they have plenty of time to find their way â if they can find a quarterback.
Super Bowl odds: +12000
After Robert Saleh (likely) exacts his revenge on the Jets in Week 1, things get at a lot tougher. On paper, the Titans’ schedule is easy. In reality, its a lot harder than it looks.
Super Bowl odds: +8000
Once they get past Detroit and Baltimore in the opening weeks, they have a real chance to build on last year with one of the NFLs easiest schedules based on expected wins. They also are set up for a strong finish with no games against 2025 playoff teams in the last four weeks.
Super Bowl odds: +5000
Seven of their last nine games are against teams projected to win 9-11 games. Aaron Rodgers 42-year-old body should be aching pretty good by then.Â
Super Bowl odds: +6500
Surviving their first eight games may not be possible. They only play three of those on the road, but theyre at Philly and Dallas to open the season and then off to San Francisco in Week 6. They also play the Seahawks and Rams. They dont really have a break until they get to Arizona in Week 12.
Super Bowl odds: +6500
The only real problem with their schedule is they open against the Ravens, Chiefs and Texans. Thats three tough tests for either a backup quarterback or a still-healing Daniel Jones. It gets a lot easier after that, though.
Super Bowl odds: +5000
The first half of their schedule is easy compared to what awaits them in the second half. Their last nine games include trips to Chicago, Detroit and Baltimore and home games against the Chargers and Rams.
Super Bowl odds: +2500
They have the third-toughest schedule when measured by expected wins for their opponent, and they travel more than all but three NFL teams (27,980 miles). Add in five prime-time games and they have an exhausting road.
Super Bowl odds: +12000
Their road slate is easy, but their home schedule is ugly. Their first six home games are against the Panthers, Ravens, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Lions, and that doesnt count the “home” game against the Bengals in Madrid. Wow.
Super Bowl odds: +7000
The NFL teed up the first six games for John
