NFL Strength of Schedule Rankings: Rest-of-Season Numbers Paints a Dire Picture for the Colts
It’s been an eventful Week 14, with the NFL playoff picture shifting once again. While some teams have solidified their place as contenders, others have slipped, creating doubts around their rest-of-season outlooks.
With four weeks left in the regular season, every game is of utmost importance. Using PFSN’s NFL Strength of Schedule metric, let’s evaluate which teams have the easiest and hardest paths.
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What is the Remaining Strength of Schedule for all 32 NFL Teams?
1) Indianapolis Colts (8-5)
2) Denver Broncos (10-2)
3) Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
4) Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
5) Chicago Bears (9-3)
6) Detroit Lions (8-5)
7) Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
8) New York Jets (3-10)
9) San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
T-10) Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
T-10) Arizona Cardinals (3-9)
12) Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
13) Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
14) Tennessee Titans (2-11)
15) Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
16) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
17) Buffalo Bills (9-4)
18) Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
19) Cleveland Browns (3-10)
20) Washington Commanders (3-10)
21) Carolina Panthers (7-6)
22) Miami Dolphins (6-7)
23) New England Patriots (11-2)
24) Atlanta Falcons (4-9)
25) Houston Texans (7-5)
26) Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
27) Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
28) Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
29) Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
30) New York Giants (2-11)
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
32) New Orleans Saints (3-10)
Easiest Remaining NFL Schedules
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints pulled off a massive upset in Week 14, knocking off the Tampa Buccaneers 24-20. New Orleans is eliminated from playoff contention, but that’s not stopping Kellen Moore’s squad from trying to play spoiler.
The Saints have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, with games against the Panthers, Jets, Titans, and Falcons to close out the season. Each of these games could be competitive on paper, which doesn’t necessarily bode well for New Orleans’ chances to land the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers simply could not afford the loss to the Saints. Tampa Bay is still sitting atop the NFC South, but the Panthers are nipping at their heels, with both teams currently at 7-6 on the season.
Fortunately, Todd Bowles and company have one of the easiest remaining schedules. The Buccaneers get the Falcons and the Dolphins, but they do play Carolina twice. This isn’t the Panthers team we expected to see this season, but both teams control their own destiny.
New York Giants
The New York Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention, so having one of the easiest schedules the rest of the way doesn’t benefit them. Their final four games are against Washington, Minnesota, Las Vegas, and Dallas.
At 2-11, New York has an incentive to tank and secure a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, doing so conflicts with the desire to build the confidence of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart heading into Year 2.
Hardest Remaining NFL Schedules
Indianapolis Colts
What was once one of the biggest surprise stories in the NFL has now become a nightmare. The Colts have relinquished their spot atop the AFC South after losing to the Jaguars in Week 14. To make matters worse, quarterback Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury, which could be season-ending.
Just left the Colts’ postgame. That was one of the most dejected locker rooms I’ve experienced after a regular season game in all my (many) years. And it’s no surprise. Daniel Jones is beloved by his teammates.
“That was definitely a gut punch,” RB Jonathan Taylor said.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) December 7, 2025
If that wasn’t enough, Indianapolis has the toughest remaining schedule. Losers of three straight, the Colts will now have to face four playoff contenders in the Seahawks, 49ers, Jaguars, and Texans.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos appear to be legitimate contenders in the AFC after surprising many in 2024. Sean Payton’s squad is currently the No. 2 seed in the conference, but its standing will be tested by a gauntlet to close out the regular season.
The Broncos’ final four games are against the Packers, Jaguars, Chiefs, and Chargers. This stretch features four playoff hopefuls, including two teams in their division. If Denver can maintain a high level of play down the stretch, it can build momentum for a playoff run.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are 8-4 and firmly in the AFC playoff picture. However, Los Angeles still has work to do and cannot afford to be complacent. They still have the Eagles to wrap up Week 14, then follow that up with games against Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, and Denver.
Justin Herbert has a broken hand, and if that hinders him at all, it will intensify the pressure on the Chargers during the final push. One thing is certain: if Los Angeles reaches the postseason, it will be battle-tested.
