The 2026 NFL strength of schedule rankings are revealed ahead of the season and several non-playoff teams from last season benefit greatly.
Several notable NFL teams missed the postseason in 2025, including the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. However, this year’s schedule certainly favors both teams and many more as the new season nears in September.
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MORE: Top 10 AFC vs NFC games on the 2026 NFL schedule
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz shared the NFL strength of schedule with current win-loss totals factored in. The data suggests that the Lions have the easiest path to the postseason out of all 32 teams competing in the league.
Here’s every team’s 2026 NFL strength of schedule based on current projected win totals.
This is a much better way to view strength of schedule because it actually takes offseason moves and roster changes into account.
The #Lions have the “easiest” schedule, while the… pic.twitter.com/T4St8a7nGh
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 12, 2026
However, NFL fans know fully that the playoffs are never easy to get to when injuries and other factors evolve. The Chiefs are a perfect example after last season’s tough run that was amplified by Patrick Mahomes’ brutal injury.
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When is the 2026 NFL schedule release?
The entire 2026 NFL schedule drops Thursday ahead of the new season taking place this fall. Several NFL reporters and online accounts are slowly dropping games for the upcoming season.
However, the entire schedule of games releases during an NFL Network program at 8:00 p.m. ET.
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Meanwhile, the NFC West boasted three teams in the postseason, including the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Seattle ranks currently with the no. 21 toughest schedule based on their overwhelming 2025 success.
MORE: 5 worst games on 2026 NFL schedule, ranked
The AFC North is certainly thankful for the way this season’s schedule develop though. All four teams in the division rank inside the top 18 most favorable regular season slates.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs during an NFL game. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
However, the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers also benefit greatly despite making the playoffs in 2025. Meanwhile, NFC powerhouses are rated seventh and eighth, respectively, as they try to make another postseason push.
We’ll reveal below how all 32 teams stack up in 2026 with the easiest and toughest NFL schedules.
Ranking the most favorable NFL schedules in 2026
1 (Easiest) Detroit Lions
2 New Orleans Saints
3 Cincinnati Bengals
4 Cleveland Browns
5 New York Jets
6 Baltimore Ravens
7 Philadelphia Eagles
8 San Francisco 49ers
9 Indianapolis Colts
10 Kansas City Chiefs
11 Denver Broncos
12 New England Patriots
13 Tennessee Titans
14 Buffalo Bills
15 Jacksonville Jaguars
16 Minnesota Vikings
17 Green Bay Packers
18 Pittsburgh Steelers
19 Las Vegas Raiders
20 Atlanta Falcons
21 Los Angeles Chargers
22 Seattle Seahawks
23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24 New York Giants
25 Washington Commanders
26 Houston Texans
27 Chicago Bears
28 Los Angeles Rams
29 Dallas Cowboys
30 Carolina Panthers
31 Miami Dolphins
32 (Toughest) Arizona Cardinals