Come To Think of It...Thoughts on the 2008 NFL Schedule

The NFL released its 2008 schedule on Tuesday. The Steelers and the Colts have the toughest schedules, based on last year’s won-loss record of its opponents. But the biggest question mark just might be this:

How in the hell did the Patriots end up with the NFL’s weakest schedule? 

Yes, the team that had the best record in football last year ends up with an opponents winning percentage of just .387. 

I know that this is subject to flux. For example, some teams with winning records last year may have key injuries and wind up with losing records this year. Conversely, some of last year’s bad teams may have picked up some free agent players and/or helped themselves in the draft (hello Oakland Raiders...good signings, fourth pick in the draft, third weakest schedule too).. 

But still…New England?  C’mon….

Videotape that!

I mean, it’s bad enough that despite appearing in the Super bowl last year, and despite having their first round draft pick taken away resulting from Spygate, the Pats somehow wind up with the 7^th overall pick in this year’s draft.

They should all go to Vegas because they are on a winning streak of luck, even if they did lose to the Giants in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.

It’s as if the league told them to lose to the Giants and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.  As Ryan would say, I’m not sayin’…

In case you’re interested, in addition to Pitt and Indy, the following teams all play opponents with winning records from last season:  Jags, Vikings, Ravens, Titans, Bengals, Texans, Browns, Lions, Bears, Pack, Skins, Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants.

For some unknown reason, the Browns and Packers lead the way with three appearances each on Monday Night football. Maybe the schedule was determined before they knew Favre had retired. That still wouldn’t explain why Cleveland appears three times.

Patriots at Chargers – Oct. 12

Patriots at Colts - Nov. 2

Colts at Chargers – Nov. 23

Giants at Cowboys – Dec. 14

Packers at Bears – Dec. 22 (Monday Night)

I know it’s early in the baseball season, but it’s always good for the soul to conjure up some pigskin.