2012 NFL Schedule: Why Strength of Schedule Is Completely Overhyped

There's nothing wrong with being excited about the release of the 2012 NFL schedule to see when and where your favorite team will play. But please, whatever you do, don't get caught up in the "strength of schedule" talk. 

It's garbage. 

ESPN noted that the New England Patriots have the "easiest" 2012 schedule. Their opponents' 2011 win percentage averages out to .453. The New York Giants ironically have the "hardest" schedule with opponents' 2011 win percentage at .547. 

Here's why the "easiest/hardest" schedule talk is totally pointless. 

Sure, there are a few teams that aren't much different from a personnel standpoint than last year. We know Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford are going to be great. The league's elite are, for the most part, established. 

However, a ton of teams will look significantly different in 2012 and we only think we know how they'll perform this fall.  

Do you think defenses will have a slightly different game plan when playing the Denver Broncos this year? What about facing the Washington Redskins when presumptive No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III is under center compared to John Beck or Rex Grossman?

Those are a just few differences. 

Every year—and this goes without exception—some teams drastically exceed expectations while others fail to live up to expectations set forth by media members and fans based on how they performed the previous season. 

I first realized this when in 2008 when the Buffalo Bills started the year with the Seattle Seahawks, a team coming off four straight NFC West titles, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that beat the Steelers twice in Pittsburgh and battled with the undefeated New England Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs the year before. 

Two "extremely hard" matchups to begin the season. 

Or not.

The 2008 Bills, a mediocre team ultimately destined for a 7-9 record with Trent Edwards as their quarterback, thrashed the Seahawks at home, 34-10 and beat the Jags on the road, 20-16 thanks to a late-game touchdown catch by none other than James Hardy.

Yeah, James Hardy. 

Who saw the Kansas City Chiefs coming in 2010? Who saw their major downfall in 2011?

Injuries play a huge role, but sometimes, clubs simply can't rekindle the magic they rode to the playoffs the season before. 

Every year is different. 

That's why you must ignore the "strength of schedule" nonsense. 

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