Sizing Up Strength: Ranking The Hardest NFL Schedules of Potential Playoff Teams

Looking at all the contending teams that I will be talking about in this article (Patriots, Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Jaguars, Colts, Chiefs, Chargers, Eagles, Giants, Packers, Bears, Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers, and Rams), I will debate who has the hardest schedule for the last 3 weeks. So lets take a look.

Atlanta Falcons

Week 15: @ Seahawks

16: Saints

17: Panthers

The Seahawks are trying to win the worst division in the NFL. The Falcons are fighting with the Saints for the NFC South title, and the Panthers, well, lets not go there.

What will be a fantastic game against the Saints will have to wait after Atlanta blows out the Seahawks.

Baltimore Ravens

Week 15: Saints

16: @ Browns

17: Bengals

The Saints are obviously trying to defend their Super Bowl title, but will have to make the playoffs first.

But the next two games should be a cakewalk against the Browns and Bengals. So a hard start will turn easy for Baltimore.

Chicago Bears

Week 15: @ Vikings

16: Jets

17: @ Packers

Brett Favre is probably done for the season, so that should be an easy game for the Bears. The Jets have been struggling lately, and so have the Packers, mainly because of Aaron Rodgers having a concussion.

All should be pretty decently easy for Da Bears.

Green Bay Packers

Week 15: @ Patriots

16: Giants

17: Bears

Well this is pretty hard. The Pack have to play the best team in football; the Giants who have been good; and the Bears trying to make the playoffs.

With the Packers record at 7-5 and Aaron Rodgers uncertain for the Patriot game, it seems like the Packers might be done.

Indianapolis Colts

Week 15: Jaguars

16: @ Raiders

17: Titans

See Jaguars description.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 15: @ Colts

16: Redskins

17: @ Texans

For both the Colts and Jaguars, who face each other in what should be a fantastic game in week 15, they both have had surprising seasons.

The Jaguars have been the most surprising team in the AFC this year, and the Colts have been the most disappointing. These 2 teams have easy schedules for the last 2 weeks, so whoever wins week 15s game will win the division.

Kansas City Chiefs

Week 15: @ Rams

16: Titans

17: Raiders

Wow, this is easy. The only game that seems some what hard is the Rams game. Other then that, this is a very easy schedule. 

New England Patriots

Week 15: Packers

16: @ Bills

17: Dolphins

If Aaron Rodgers isn't playing, the Patriots win all 3.

New Orleans Saints

Week 15: @ Ravens

16: @ Falcons

17: Buccaneers

The hardest schedule the rest of the year goes to the Saints. Three contending teams they have to face with two on the road. They are one game behind the Falcons, so the Monday Night game in week 16 is huge.

New York Giants

Week 15: Eagles

16: @ Packers

17: @ Redskins

Very hard schedule for the G-Men to finish up the season. The biggest game of the year for them comes this week against the Eagles in what could be the winner-wins-the-division game for the NFC East. Then the struggling Packers and Redskins comes next to finish up the season.

New York Jets

Week 15: @ Steelers

16: @ Bears 

17: Bills

The struggling Jets have to face two hard home teams in Pittsburgh and Chicago.  If the Jets have to clinch a playoff spot on the last game of the year, they play the Bills at home. Lucky for them.

Philadelphia Eagles

Week 15: @ Giants 

16: Vikings

17: Cowboys

The Eagles are the best team in the NFC East. They will have to prove that by beating the Giants at the Meadowlands. If they do that, with the Vikings and Cowboys at home after that, they win the division.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 15: Jets

16: Panthers

17: @ Browns

Well, this is easy. Besides the Jets, who have been struggling, They play the worst team in football and another struggling team in Cleveland. Very easy for the Steelers.

San Diego Chargers

Week 15: 49ers

16: @ Bengals

17: @ Broncos

Very easy for the Chargers. as they have to hope the Chiefs' easy schedule turns hard for them to win the AFC West.

St. Louis Rams

Week 15: Chiefs

16:  49ers

17: @ Seahawks

In this division, every schedule is easy. So lucky for the Rams, as they will most likely win the division.

So looking at these schedules, the Saints and Jets own the hardest schedules.

Hope you enjoy the final 3 weeks of the season!