NFL · 3 months ago

NFL Football: 5 Teams Set to Outperform Expectations Based on Schedule Strength

John Canady

Host · Writer

5) New York Giants
The New York Giants being on this list may be the biggest surprise of all, especially considering Brian Daboll's squad was awarded the strongest strength of schedule among all 32 teams in the league. However, it's hard to overlook just how talented the Giants' defense is with the addition of Abdul Carter to the team's defensive line, and that's not even including the work in the secondary Joe Schoen put together in free agency this offseason. With Russell Wilson leading the offense and Jaxson Dart looking electric in preseason, it genuinely feels safe to say that the G-Men could shock some people this season, especially with the odds for them to win over 5.5 games sitting at +100.

Strength of Schedule: .574 (Highest)

Odds to Win 5.5 Games: Over +100 | Under -120
1) San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have no choice but to bounce back from their nightmare season in 2024-25. San Francisco not only missed the postseason, but they finished in last place in the NFC West with a 6-11 record. The only benefit to come from their disastrous season is that the Niners now have the advantage of having the weakest strength of schedule. With a healthy roster, Kyle Shanahan's squad should have no issue bouncing back this season.

Strength of Schedule: .415 (Lowest)

Odds to Win 10.5 Games: Over -110 | Under -110
2) New England Patriots
The New England Patriots may come as a surprise on this list, but with Mike Vrabel now running the show, I've all but bought into the new culture the head coach is instilling in Foxboro. New England went out in free agency and proved to be aggressive, and now with a reshaped offense and defense, the Pats have the talent and coaching to re-emerge in the AFC. Although they may not be Super Bowl contenders this season, they certainly have everything they need at their disposal to exceed expectations if Drake Maye proves to be the guy.

Strength of Schedule: .429

Odds to Win 8.5 Games: Over +115 | Under -135
3) Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have been the talk of the offseason with their headlined quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones. Both quarterbacks have shown flashes of improvement in their own right through training camp and pre-season, and considering the Colts have been one game shy of a postseason bid in each of the last two seasons, it feels like adequate QB play could be the one thing refraining Shane Steichen's squad from making the jump. However, with general manager Chris Ballard fortifying the defense in free agency and quietly building an explosive offense, the talent for the Colts to exceed is there. Now, they just have to put it together.

Strength of Schedule: .464

Odds to Win 8.5 Games: Over +150 | Under -175
4) Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have been a difficult team to watch since Josh McDaniels took the job as head coach and seemingly ran the organization into the ground. Fortunately, the Raiders' ownership opted for an overload on the regime this offseason, which eventually landed them one of the best head coaches in the league in Pete Carroll. In addition to Carroll, the longtime Seattle Seahawks head coach brought luggage with him to Vegas, bringing in quarterback Geno Smith. With Smith set to have weapons such as Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty at his disposal, the Raiders could be a team to watch this season despite landing in the middle of the pack in terms of strength of schedule.

Strength of Schedule: .502

Odds to Win 7.5 Games: Over +140 | Under -165
5) New York Giants
The New York Giants being on this list may be the biggest surprise of all, especially considering Brian Daboll's squad was awarded the strongest strength of schedule among all 32 teams in the league. However, it's hard to overlook just how talented the Giants' defense is with the addition of Abdul Carter to the team's defensive line, and that's not even including the work in the secondary Joe Schoen put together in free agency this offseason. With Russell Wilson leading the offense and Jaxson Dart looking electric in preseason, it genuinely feels safe to say that the G-Men could shock some people this season, especially with the odds for them to win over 5.5 games sitting at +100.

Strength of Schedule: .574 (Highest)

Odds to Win 5.5 Games: Over +100 | Under -120
1) San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have no choice but to bounce back from their nightmare season in 2024-25. San Francisco not only missed the postseason, but they finished in last place in the NFC West with a 6-11 record. The only benefit to come from their disastrous season is that the Niners now have the advantage of having the weakest strength of schedule. With a healthy roster, Kyle Shanahan's squad should have no issue bouncing back this season.

Strength of Schedule: .415 (Lowest)

Odds to Win 10.5 Games: Over -110 | Under -110

NFL Football: 5 Teams Set to Outperform Expectations Based on Schedule Strength

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