The NFL strength of schedule for the highly anticipated 2023 season has been unveiled, providing football enthusiasts with valuable insights into each team’s level of competition. DraftKings Sportsbook has win totals provided on each team, and we used those to determine who has the hardest and easiest schedule for 2023.
This approach offers a more accurate depiction of the upcoming challenges awaiting each team in the league. Take a look below.
NFL Strength Of Schedule 2023
| SOS RANK | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans Saints |
| 2 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 3 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers |
| 5 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 6 | Chicago Bears |
| 7 | Houston Texans |
| 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 9 | Tennessee Titans |
| 10 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 11 | Detroit Lions |
| 12 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 13 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 14 | Green Bay Packers |
| 15 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 16 | Cleveland Browns |
| 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 18 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 19 | New York Giants |
| 20 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 21 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 22 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 23 | Denver Broncos |
| 24 | Washington Commanders |
| 25 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 26 | New York Jets |
| 27 | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 28 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 29 | Buffalo Bills |
| 30 | Miami Dolphins |
| 31 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 32 | New England Patriots |
Strength of schedule determined by win totals from DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 6, 2023.
Easiest Schedules: The Saints & NFC South
The New Orleans Saints find themselves with a favorable schedule that’s as appetizing as a plate of Jambalaya from the Big Easy. The NFC South is unproven at this point in time, and the Saints also have a crossover with the weak AFC South. Throw in a few suspect encounters with the NFC North, and the Saints have a real shot at success.
As the “de facto” favorites in the shaky NFC South, their solid defense and stable quarterback position — after bringing in Derek Carr — gives them an edge over their competitors. So let the good times roll, because the Saints are ready to dance their way through this season’s easiest schedule.
Because of that, the Saints have an over/under of 9.5 wins according to DraftKings Sportsbook. They also carry -180 odds to make the playoffs, which is the fourth-best mark in the NFC.
It is worth noting that three of the four NFC South teams find themselves in the top five easiest schedules, which is due to the shakiness of the division, the absence of Tom Brady from Tampa Bay, and a cushy crossover with the AFC South.
Hardest Schedules: The Patriots & AFC East
There’s a good chance Freddy Krueger put together the Patriots’ schedule because it’s a nightmare. See what I did there? Bad jokes aside, the AFC East is arguably the toughest division in football this season from top to bottom. As if that weren’t enough, the Patriots must also contend with the formidable teams from the NFC East and AFC West. Take a look at their first eight games:
- Week 1 vs. Eagles
- Week 2 vs. Dolphins
- Week 3 at Jets
- Week 4 at Cowboys
- Week 5 vs. Saints
- Week 6 at Raiders
- Week 7 vs. Bills
- Week 8 at Dolphins
The Raiders are the only game where you are banking on a win, and that one is on the road across the country. Things don’t get much easier, as New England finishes the season vs. Kansas City, at Denver, vs. Buffalo, and vs. the Jets.
On top of that, the Pats will pack their lederhosen and head to Germany to face the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 12. Whether this European excursion will bring them luck or simply add more chaos to their already tumultuous journey remains to be seen.
Interestingly, three of the four AFC East teams, including the Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins, face the most difficult schedules. The arrival of Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets adds an additional layer of complexity to an already tough division. Rodgers’ presence elevates the Jets’ status and raises the level of competition within the AFC East, making it even more challenging for the Patriots to contend.
