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The Oakland Raiders have the toughest road to the Super Bowl in 2014, based on the strength of their schedule, which is calculated from how well all of their 2014 opponents performed during the 2013 regular season. After going 4-12 against teams with a combined record of 134-122 in 2013, the Raiders will play teams in 2014 with a combined record of 148-108 this past season. Their .578 SoS indicates that Oakland's 2014 opponents won 57.8% of their games in 2013.
The New Orleans Saints were the only team in the NFL to make the postseason after facing opponents which combined for a winning record, making the 2013 playoffs against teams with a combined record of 132-124. In 2014, they look forward to an easier schedule versus teams which combined for a record of 119-135-2 last year. Only five of their 2014 games are against teams with winning 2013 records: Panthers (12-4) twice, 49ers (12-4), Bengals (11-5), and Packers (8-7-1).
We'll soon give a more in-depth review of the 2014 strengths of schedule, and how teams might fare compared to their 2013 performances. But for now, we bring you the strengths of schedule for each NFL team.
To see where each team ranks in a given category, click column headers to sort.
2014 Strengths of Schedule
| Team | OPP W/L |
Strength of Schedule |
Games vs Winning Opponents |
Point Differential |
| Oakland Raiders | 148-108-0 | .578 | 10 | 811 |
| Denver Broncos | 146-110-0 | .570 | 10 | 565 |
| St. Louis Rams | 144-111-1 | .565 | 10 | 643 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 144-112-0 | .563 | 9 | 610 |
| San Diego Chargers | 144-112-0 | .563 | 8 | 469 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 143-112-1 | .561 | 10 | 543 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 143-113-0 | .559 | 8 | 539 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 140-116-0 | .547 | 8 | 620 |
| New York Jets | 132-122-2 | .520 | 6 | 203 |
| New England Patriots | 131-123-2 | .516 | 6 | -13 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 130-124-2 | .512 | 7 | 124 |
| Miami Dolphins | 129-125-2 | .508 | 6 | -179 |
| Green Bay Packers | 128-126-2 | .504 | 5 | 26 |
| Buffalo Bills | 127-127-2 | .500 | 6 | -133 |
| Chicago Bears | 125-127-4 | .496 | 6 | -35 |
| Detroit Lions | 124-128-4 | .492 | 6 | -314 |
| Washington Redskins | 125-130-1 | .490 | 6 | -193 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 125-131-0 | .488 | 7 | -228 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 123-131-2 | .484 | 6 | 20 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 122-133-1 | .478 | 6 | -297 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 121-133-2 | .476 | 5 | -224 |
| Carolina Panthers | 120-134-2 | .472 | 6 | -26 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 120-136-0 | .469 | 5 | -203 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 120-136-0 | .469 | 6 | -256 |
| New Orleans Saints | 119-135-2 | .469 | 5 | -101 |
| New York Giants | 119-137-0 | .465 | 6 | -184 |
| Cleveland Browns | 119-137-0 | .465 | 5 | -250 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 117-139-0 | .457 | 5 | -252 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 116-140-0 | .453 | 5 | -364 |
| Houston Texans | 113-143-0 | .441 | 4 | -674 |
| Tennessee Titans | 112-144-0 | .438 | 5 | -732 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 110-146-0 | .430 | 4 | -595 |
2014 New Orleans Saints Schedule
In 2014, the New Orleans Saints will play each of their three NFC South opponents twice: once at home, and once on the road. Each NFC South team will play one game against each team in the NFC North and AFC North; two teams from each of those divisions will be played at home. Finally, the Saints will play the second-place teams from the NFC West (49ers) and NFC East (Cowboys).
| NFC South | NFC North | AFC North | NFC 2nd Place | |
| Home | Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers | Packers, Vikings | Ravens, Bengals | 49ers |
| Away | Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers | Bears, Lions | Browns, Steelers | Cowboys |
With the 2013 season behind us, what are your thoughts on 2014's schedule?
Will the NFL schedule the Saints in Atlanta on a short week after the 49ers game yet again?
Will the Saints be traveling north to outdoor stadiums in November and December?
