09' STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE By: Micah "FFGAWD" Jones
Based on last year defensive stats, just who does the schedule favor?
Putting too much stock into the strength of schedule based on last years defensive statistics would be a mistake, but looking at these numbers and using them to help aid you in which fantasy players may or may not have better weekly match-ups this coming season could be key into making your mid-round selections on draft day. No doubt it’s likely that the worst defense in the league last year will be improved this season. So this is far from being set in stone and not something that should influence how you select any stud fantasy players, but maybe a tool that helps you break ties among lesser talented mid-round players. In addition, we will posting a follow up article to this which shows specific SOS rankings for passing and rushing and later in the season we will be bringing you our playoff SOS that will help you make important roster decisions at the trade deadline.
The higher the SOS the easier the schedule and softer team defense they will see. Keep in mind that statistical categories are more heavily weighted, however wins and losses are also used in the formula.
Green shows a favorable schedule
Black shows an average schedule
Red Shows a team with a difficult schedule
|
Team
|
Wins
|
Losses
|
RYA/Gm
|
PYA/Gm
|
PA/Gm
|
SOS
|
|
MIN
|
107
|
148
|
120.86
|
213.99
|
23.30
|
125.03
|
|
ARI
|
113
|
143
|
118.50
|
219.81
|
23.33
|
124.35
|
|
CHI
|
105
|
149
|
119.08
|
210.45
|
23.13
|
123.72
|
|
PIT
|
110
|
144
|
121.46
|
213.13
|
22.15
|
123.40
|
|
SEA
|
117
|
139
|
119.56
|
218.01
|
23.93
|
122.97
|
|
SF
|
113
|
142
|
117.74
|
214.71
|
23.56
|
122.33
|
|
GB
|
109
|
146
|
114.65
|
213.53
|
23.18
|
122.13
|
|
BAL
|
111
|
143
|
123.52
|
207.90
|
22.21
|
122.04
|
|
STL
|
119
|
137
|
112.81
|
220.76
|
23.28
|
120.76
|
|
CIN
|
119
|
137
|
117.87
|
208.37
|
21.81
|
117.86
|
|
CLE
|
114
|
140
|
114.58
|
207.23
|
21.77
|
117.72
|
|
WAS
|
125
|
129
|
122.96
|
208.36
|
22.94
|
117.57
|
|
OAK
|
122
|
132
|
116.02
|
210.91
|
22.05
|
116.83
|
|
DET
|
119
|
136
|
108.83
|
212.36
|
22.12
|
116.13
|
|
SD
|
123
|
131
|
121.76
|
203.84
|
21.59
|
115.91
|
|
JAC
|
132
|
124
|
119.08
|
214.21
|
21.98
|
115.90
|
|
HOU
|
129
|
126
|
115.17
|
213.48
|
21.62
|
115.09
|
|
DEN
|
122
|
132
|
118.53
|
203.82
|
21.02
|
114.98
|
|
TEN
|
130
|
126
|
112.69
|
215.09
|
22.16
|
114.81
|
|
KC
|
123
|
131
|
116.80
|
205.54
|
21.48
|
114.80
|
|
IND
|
131
|
125
|
111.86
|
216.80
|
22.13
|
114.76
|
|
PHI
|
137
|
119
|
116.19
|
212.97
|
22.06
|
112.90
|
|
DAL
|
131
|
123
|
116.03
|
207.36
|
21.54
|
112.49
|
|
NYG
|
134
|
120
|
114.18
|
207.23
|
22.08
|
111.01
|
|
BUF
|
146
|
110
|
115.53
|
214.58
|
21.15
|
109.90
|
|
NO
|
142
|
113
|
117.16
|
207.23
|
21.51
|
109.30
|
|
NYJ
|
145
|
110
|
116.93
|
208.80
|
20.90
|
108.54
|
|
NE
|
151
|
105
|
112.07
|
213.04
|
21.03
|
106.54
|
|
TB
|
148
|
107
|
111.51
|
209.82
|
21.19
|
106.18
|
|
ATL
|
150
|
105
|
108.73
|
210.59
|
21.11
|
104.83
|
|
MIA
|
152
|
104
|
110.08
|
209.49
|
20.49
|
104.20
|
|
CAR
|
151
|
104
|
108.21
|
207.69
|
21.13
|
103.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|