:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63102784/usa_today_11817984.0.jpg)
While the New Orleans Saints have had a run of bad luck recently, it looks like 2019 could be the start of a changing of the tides. As it currently stands, the Saints rank near the bottom with one of the easiest strength of schedules based off their 2019 opponents’ 2018 record.
Saints come in at No. 22 on strength of schedule, as opponents were 125-131 (.488)https://t.co/SLqQ7Frb7e
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) February 21, 2019
Obviously this is helped by the fact that the Saints face each of the NFC South rivals who each under-achieved in 2018. That being said, the rest of the division - hampered in part by two games against the New Orleans Saints - have relatively difficult schedules. The Atlanta Falcons are tied for seventh, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are tied for twelfth, and the Carolina Panthers are tied for sixteenth.
The toughest road to the Super Bowl next season falls on Oakland Raiders. The easiest? The Washington team. Right before Washington? Surprise, surprise: the New England Patriots.
It goes without saying, but this strength of schedule is based off 2018 records. It’s possible teams make vast improvements to their rosters in the 2019 offseason, rendering their 2018 record moot. It’s also possible teams that did well in 2018 lose key players and underperform themselves in 2019.