NFL · 2 months ago

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

John Canady

Host · Writer

5) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars' downfall last season came at the expense of Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson. Whether the roster personnel was to blame, the injury bug, or the leadership of the staff, it doesn't seem to matter in the end. Jaguars owner Shad Khan hit the reset button, bringing in head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone. Regardless, between the roster cuts of key veterans and new scheme systems, it's a tall task to see the Jags turn things completely around this season, UNLESS Trevor Lawrence can finally take the step forward the team has waited on for the last three years.

Strength of Schedule: .467

Odds to Win 9.5 Games: Over +240 | Under -290
1) Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have one of the toughest strength-of-schedule rankings, coming in at No. 3 on ESPN's strength-of-schedule rankings. Chicago was an absolute train wreck down the stretch of the season last year after starting hot. While the Bears have made several moves this offseason, including the hiring of offensive guru Ben Johnson, it's hard to imagine that, given their strength of schedule, they can fully turn around in one year. The talent is there, but in a stiff division, Chicago's young roster may experience some growing pains this coming season.

Strength of Schedule: .571

Odds to Win 8.5 Games: Over +125 | Under -150
2) Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings found themselves as a surprise top contender in the NFC last season with Sam Darnold. Now, Kevin O'Connell is set to deal with basically a rookie quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who's shown early signs of struggles through training camp and preseason. Considering the team's strength of schedule and new leader under center, the Vikings could be on the verge of taking a significant step back this coming season.

Strength of Schedule: .557

Odds to Win 9.5 Games: Over +120 | Under -140
3) Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns' landing on this list should come as no surprise, considering Kevin Stefanski announced that 40-year-old Joe Flacco was named as the team's starting quarterback for this coming season. Cleveland's quarterback situation makes it hard to put any faith in the Brownies, no matter how many playmakers they have on offense and defense. That said, I look for Cleveland to finish the season on the outside looking in when the postseason comes around.

Strength of Schedule: .519

Odds to Win 6.5 Games: Over +230 | Under -280
4) New York Jets
The New York Jets hit a hard reset this offseason, hiring not only a new head coach in Aaron Glenn, but a new general manager in Darren Mougey. In addition to the new regime, the team's first order of business was to seemingly move on from Aaron Rodgers and replace the veteran quarterback with Justin Fields, giving the Ohio State product a chance to prove he can be the guy the team had hoped he would be when he entered the league. Nonetheless, with the defensive talent seemingly falling off a cliff in comparison to the group they entered the season with last year, mixed with the inefficiencies at quarterback, it's hard to see the Jets making any noise at all.

Strength of Schedule: .460

Odds to Win 6.5 Games: Over +125 | Under -150
5) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars' downfall last season came at the expense of Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson. Whether the roster personnel was to blame, the injury bug, or the leadership of the staff, it doesn't seem to matter in the end. Jaguars owner Shad Khan hit the reset button, bringing in head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone. Regardless, between the roster cuts of key veterans and new scheme systems, it's a tall task to see the Jags turn things completely around this season, UNLESS Trevor Lawrence can finally take the step forward the team has waited on for the last three years.

Strength of Schedule: .467

Odds to Win 9.5 Games: Over +240 | Under -290
1) Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have one of the toughest strength-of-schedule rankings, coming in at No. 3 on ESPN's strength-of-schedule rankings. Chicago was an absolute train wreck down the stretch of the season last year after starting hot. While the Bears have made several moves this offseason, including the hiring of offensive guru Ben Johnson, it's hard to imagine that, given their strength of schedule, they can fully turn around in one year. The talent is there, but in a stiff division, Chicago's young roster may experience some growing pains this coming season.

Strength of Schedule: .571

Odds to Win 8.5 Games: Over +125 | Under -150

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

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