2022 NFL Team Strength of Schedules Ranked By Difficulty Based on Last Year’s Regular Season Records

Which team has the hardest schedule in the league next year?

After winning Super Bowl LVI in February, the Rams will seek to repeat as champions next year. However, that task could prove to be even more difficult in the 2022 season.

Based on the final 2021 regular season records for each opponent on next season’s schedule, the Rams have the most difficult strength of schedule in 2022, according a list compiled by edsfootball.com. Los Angeles’s opponents next year had a combined winning percentage of 0.567 in 2021.

The Cardinals have the second most difficult schedule, while the 2021 AFC champion Bengals rank third. NFC East foes Dallas and Washington boast the easiest 2022 strength of schedule based on 2021 records.

Here’s the full 2022 strength of schedule rankings list based on opponent records in 2021:

1. Rams: 164–125 (0.567)
2. Cardinals: 157–132 (0.543)
3. Bengals: 154–133–2 (0.536)
4. Buccaneers: 154–134–1 (0.535)
5. 49ers: 154–135 (0.533)
5. Chiefs: 154–135 (0.533)
7. Raiders: 152–136–1 (0.528)
7. Saints: 152–136–1 (0.528)
9. Falcons: 151–137–1 (0.524)
10. Chargers: 150–139 (0.519)
11. Seahawks: 149–139–1 (0.517)
12. Panthers: 147–140–2 (0.512)
12. Steelers: 148–141 (0.512)
12. Bills: 147–140–2 (0.512)
15. Broncos: 147–142 (0.509)
16. Patriots: 143–144–2 (0.498)
17. Jets: 142–145–2 (0.495)
17. Browns: 142–145–2 (0.495)
19. Texans: 141–148 (0.488)
20. Vikings: 139–148–2 (0.484)
21. Dolphins: 138–149–2 (0.481)
22. Packers: 137–150–2 (0.478)
23. Ravens: 136–151–2 (0.474)
24. Bears: 135–152–2 (0.471)
24. Titans: 136–153 (0.471)
26. Jaguars: 135–153–1 (0.469)
26. Colts: 135–153–1 (0.469)
28. Lions: 135–154 (0.467)
29. Giants: 134–154–1 (0.465)
30. Eagles: 133–154–2 (0.464)
31. Cowboys: 133–155–1 (0.462)
31. Commanders: 133–155–1 (0.462)

Of course, the above list will eventually get thrown out the window once next season gets underway. 

The 2022 NFL season is scheduled to begin on Sept. 8.

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Zach Koons
ZACH KOONS

Zach Koons is a programming editor at Sports Illustrated who frequently writes about Formula One. He joined SI as a breaking/trending news writer in February 2022 before joining the programming team in 2023. Koons previously worked at The Spun and interned for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He currently hosts the "Bleav in Northwestern" podcast and received a bachelor's in journalism from Northwestern University.