Several teams with eyes set on the playoffs will enjoy relatively easy schedules over the final 10 weeks of the 2026 regular season, including the Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts on the sideline
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals own one of the easiest remaining schedules in the NFL(Image: Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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The 2026 NFL regular season officially reaches its halfway point this weekend, and several teams already find themselves in strong position to reach the playoffs.
While many of the NFL’s top teams will face strenuous runs over the back half of the regular season, some have already gone through their toughest tests.
While that is no excuse for them to take their foot off the gas pedal, some squads will certainly feel good about their chances of finishing the year strong and making the playoffs based on who they still have to play.
Here are the 10 NFL teams with the easiest remaining schedules this season, according to TeamRankings’ official strength of schedule ratings.
10. Las Vegas Raiders
Kirk Cousins #8 of the Las Vegas Raiders drops back
A number of playoff-contending NFL teams will face relatively easy runs of games over the final 10 weeks of the 2026 regular season. According to TeamRankings’ strength of schedule (SOS) ratings, the Raiders own the 10th-easiest remaining regular season schedule, a welcome sight to head coach Klint Kubiak as he looks to reach the playoffs in his debut season in Las Vegas. After a tough three-game run against the 49ers, Seahawks, and Broncos, the Raiders face an easier stretch that includes the Browns, Chargers, Titans, and Cardinals.(Image: Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Head coach John Harbaugh of the New York Giants smiles
The Giants enter Week 9 in an excellent position to win the NFC East and reach the playoffs for just the second time since 2016. At 4-2-1, New York has been able to survive without star quarterback Jaxson Dart and defensive end Brian Burns. Upcoming games against the struggling Eagles, Commanders, and Colts give Big Blue the 9th-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL.(Image: Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
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Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos in action
Denver shook off a slow start to the 2026 season and now sits at 6-2 following a thrilling comeback victory over the Chiefs in Week 8. Head coach Sean Payton will be confident his team can secure a third straight playoff berth with teams like the Panthers, Raiders (twice), Dolphins, Jets, and Chargers still to go on their schedule.(Image: Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
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Tyler Shough of New Orleans Saints warms up
The Saints barely held on in both of their wins so far this season, and they are not out of the NFC South race just yet despite their 2-5 record entering Week 9. New Orleans owns the 7th-easiest remaining schedule, per TeamRankings, with the Browns, Panthers (twice), Buccaneers (twice), Cardinals, and Falcons still to go in 2026.(Image: Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
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Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on
The Eagles’ season is all but over with star quarterback Jalen Hurts out for the season after blood clots were discovered in his lungs. At 2-6, Philadelphia is at risk of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020, but they can theoretically still claw back into the NFC East race if they can take advantage of the 6th-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL.(Image: Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans runs out of the tunnel
Houston entered 2026 with hopes of reaching the playoffs and contending for a Super Bowl. At 2-5, CJ Stroud and company have plenty of work to do to turn their fortunes around, starting in Week 9 against the winless Chargers. Overall, Houston has the 5th-easiest remaining schedule, giving them a real opportunity to get back into playoff contention.(Image: Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
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