NFL Strength of Schedule for All 32 Teams Based on Vegas Projections Ahead of 2026 Schedule Release

The Arizona Cardinals will face the toughest schedule in the 2026 season, at least according to the projected win totals of their opponents.

Just behind them were the Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams, while the Detroit Lions will face the easiest schedule this season, according to NFL analyst Warren Sharp:

It doesn't come as a huge surprise that Arizona has the toughest schedule, given that they have to play three playoff teams from last year—the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, Rams and San Francisco 49ers—twice each.

But the Cardinals also have to play the Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. There aren't many gimmes on this schedule for the a rebuilding Arizona squad.

As for the Lions, divisional tilts against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are never easy. But the Lions will only have seven games against playoff teams from a year ago (Bears and Packers twice, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots).

Detroit's 2025 season was a disappointment after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs, but expect them to be major rebound contenders.