Strength of Schedule: Important or Overstated?

The NFL posted an article on their website earlier this afternoon ranking the strength of schedule for the 2013 season.

So where do the Chargers land?

Well according to the story, San Diego has the second easiest strength of schedule for the 2013 season. This is based on the 2012 records of the teams they will face next season as the Bolts’ foes totaled a 110-146 record for a .457 winning percentage.

But before you start thinking the 2013 season will be a piece of cake, let’s put this whole “strength of schedule” notion into perspective. Pro Football Talk posted a great argument this afternoon refuting its impact.  Here is what it had to say:

Strength of schedule can be a remarkably overstated thing, for several reasons.

One, teams in the same division are generally clumped together, since the league’s scheduling rotation means each team plays 14 of the same opponents, with the final two based on divisional standings (ones play ones, fours play fours).

Secondly, it all goes out the window once the season starts, and someone turns out to be much better than anyone anticipated.

PFT’s assertion seems to be right on the money as the four teams in the AFC West comprise four of the five so-called “easiest schedules” in the league.

So what do you think?  Let us know how much stock you put into the strength of schedule in the comments below.

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