The 2019 season has come to a close. All 32 teams are aware of how their schedules stack up for 2020. There will be moves made via draft picks, trades and free agency. However, it is possible to see how each team’s schedule looks off the 2019 results.
SFGate.com points out AFC East teams will have the “hardest” 2020 schedules since they must play the NFC West (3 teams with 9+ wins) and AFC West (only one team with double-digit losses) in addition to six games in their own division (2 teams with 10+ wins.) The league’s hardest 2020 schedule belongs to the Patriots, who must play games against the 14-2 Ravens and 10-6 Texans after winning their division in 2019.
T8-Arizona Cardinals 132-123-1 (.518)
Home: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins.
Away: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets.
Analysis: The Cardinals figure to improve off 5-10-1 but it won’t be easy. Those six games within the division could easily ruin any playoff dreams. It also doesn’t help catching the Bills, Eagles, Patriots and Cowboys. Don’t anticipate a 49ers-like turnaround.
T5-Atlanta Falcons 134-121-1 (.525)
Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings.
Analysis: Dan Quinn is back. Can he close the gigantic gap the Saints have on all the teams in the NFC South? The road schedule does Atlanta no favors. Dallas, Green Bay and Kansas City. The Chargers could rebound, too.
32-Baltimore Ravens 112-144 (.438)
Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins.
Analysis: The Coach of the Year, John Harbaugh, and the unanimous MVP, Lamar Jackson, come off a season where they had the best regular season mark at 14-2. So, what do they earn? The weakest schedule when it comes to how opponents fared in 2019. The rest of the NFC North can’t be pleased to see that slate for the Ravens. They catch the Chiefs and Cowboys at home and Patriots and Eagles on the road.
T5-Buffalo Bills 134-121-1 (.525)
Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks.
Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans.
Analysis: Buffalo won double-digit games in a season for the first time since 1999. They could repeat the effort, getting the Chiefs, Rams and Steelers at home. The biggest road challenge outside the division is at San Francisco.
T18.-Carolina Panthers: 127-127-2 (.500)
Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Raiders.
Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins.
Analysis: Matt Rhule turned things around quickly at Baylor. This isn’t the Big 12, though, and the Panthers have a lot of work to do. They catch a break on the schedule at home. The toughest road tests are at Kansas City, Green Bay and Minnesota. Be patient Panthers fans.
T13-Chicago Bears (tie): 129-125-2 (.508)
Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans.
Analysis: Which team is going to show up, the NFC North champs of 2018 or the mediocre Monsters of the Midway in 2019? The road schedule isn’t testing with the Rams and Titans by far the most difficult challenges. Don’t be shocked if Chicago reaches double-digit wins.
27-Cincinnati Bengals 122-134 (.477)
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins.
Analysis: The Bengals went 2-14 and were awful in 2019. They have a friendly schedule in 2020. This is a good spot to turn Joe Burrow loose, assuming they draft him No. 1, and give the LSU Heisman winner a chance to learn as their quarterback. There will be growing pains but don’t be stunned to see more victories.
29-Cleveland Browns 118-138 (.461)
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins.
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans.
Analysis: Will a new coach bring a new attitude to the Browns? They actually are looking at a great schedule. Now, if they can get it together off the field so they can play to their talents on it, there is the possibility of significant improvement.
30-Dallas Cowboys 117-138-1 (.459)
Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks.
Analysis: Dallas benefits from NFC East teams that were basically awful in 2019. The home schedule is friendly with the Niners being the toughest foe. The road treks can be tricky with the Ravens, Rams, Vikings and Seahawks are away.
12-Denver Broncos 131-125 (.512)
Home: Kansas City Chiefs, Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Analysis: More will be expected from Vic Fangio and Drew Lock in their seconds seasons. There is definitely upside as the schedule is not brutal. The Broncos have to figure out how to win close games.
T5-Detroit Lions 134-121-1 (.525)
Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins.
Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans.
Analysis: Matt Patricia’s team could not get a softer road schedule. They catch Houston, Indy and New Orleans at home. This is a do-or-die situation for the coach and Matthew Stafford’s offense. Will the coach’s third season be a charm?
15-Green Bay Packers 128-126-2 (.504)
Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Analysis: Houston, Indy, New Orleans, San Francisco on the road. Ouch. If the Packers somehow win 13 games again or come close, they would have to be considered strong contenders for the Super Bowl. That being said, it won’t be shocking if they drop to 10 wins or less.
T8-Houston Texans132-123-1 (.518)
Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots.
Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Analysis: The Texans need to find consistency, especially from Deshaun Watson, who can be brilliant or ordinary. Bill O’Brien has all the reins in Houston. He’s going to have to take the team deeper into the playoffs to make people happy. The schedule is packed at home and middling on the road.
T16-Indianapolis Colts 128-127-1 (.502)
Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets.
Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Analysis: The shock of Andrew Luck’s retirement is gone. Indianapolis is looking at a schedule that should enable it to have success. Don’t be stunned if Frank Reich & Co. make a run at the AFC South crown.
22-Jacksonville Jaguars 126-129-1 (.494)
Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings.
Analysis: Not going to believe Jacksonville can step up until it proves it can. Doug Marrone remaining as coach is a peculiar call. The home slate is soft. Baltimore, Green Bay and Minnesota await away from home. Who is going to play quarterback? Beware.
T18-Kansas City Chiefs 128-128 (.500)
Home: Denver Broncos, Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, New York Jets.
Away: Denver Broncos, Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Analysis: The Super Bowl champs are in position to repeat their regular-season mark of 2019 or better it. The road games that wil be challenging are Baltimore and New Orleans. Don’t be shocked to see more than 12 victories.
21-Las Vegas Raiders 127-129 (.496)
Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Jets.
Analysis: The Raiders showed life at points in 2019 and then completely tanked. Welcome to Vegas, where the highs are higher than most places and the lows can be lower. The schedule is friendly. Jon Gruden needs to show a lot in his third season.
23-Los Angeles Chargers 126-130 (.492)
Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets.
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Analysis: Anthony Lynn faces a big challenge to get the Chargers on the right side of tight games. Philip Rivers’ era appears to be over. So, will the Bolts draft a QB and go young or try Tyrod Taylor for a season?
T10-Los Angeles Rams 131-123-2 (.516)
Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets.
Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins.
Analysis: Have to believe the Rams come up better than 9-7 after the deflating fall following a Super Bowl appearance.
3-Miami Dolphins 135-120-1 (.529)
Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Raiders, San Francisco 49ers.
Analysis: Brian Flores did a nice job after an awful start for the Dolphins. The home schedule is tough with the Chiefs, Rams and Seahawks. The road slate isn’t awful. Don’t think Miami is ready to menace in the AFC East but wouldn’t be shocked if it picks up some more victories.
T10-Minnesota Vikings 131-123-2 (.516)
Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Analysis: The Vikings have a difficult road schedule with games at Green Bay, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Houston and Seattle out of the division. They figured to tell the tale of how much success is achieved.
1-New England Patriots 137-118-1 (.537)
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Raiders, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
Analysis: The road slate is rugged. The home slate is no bargain, either with SF and Baltimore coming to Foxboro. Not the season Bill Belichick wants to break in a new quarterback.
24-New Orleans Saints 125-130-1 (.490)
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles.
Analysis: The Saints remain lengths better than the rest of the teams in their division. Until someone proves differently don’t be surprised to see another NFC South crown by a comfortable margin.
26-New York Giants 123-132-1 (.482)
Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
Analysis: Any schedule with road games at Baltimore, Chicago, the Rams and Seattle is going to be testing. Joe Judge will be challenged in his first season. He needs to hope Saquon Barkley remains healthy.
2-New York Jets 136-119-1 (.533)
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Raiders, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
Analysis: The Jets will spend a lot of time on the road facing tough tests with games at Indy, KC, both LA teams and Seattle. Adam Gase is a heat magnet. This schedule isn’t going to cool anything.
25-Philadelphia Eagles 124-131-1 (.486)
Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks.
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers.
Analysis: As Carson Wentz goes and remains healthy, the Eagles will soar or stay grounded.
31-Pittsburgh Steelers 117-139 (.457)
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins.
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans.
Analysis: Never going to count out a team coached by Mike Tomlin. The Steelers need to stay healthy. The schedule isn’t brutal so improvement could be in the offing.
4-San Francisco 49ers 134-120-2 (.528)
Home: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins.
Away: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets.
Analysis: There will be a major challenge to perform at the level of 2019. The Niners made an incredible one-season turnaround. To repeat it will be difficult.
T13-Seattle Seahawks 129-125-2 (.508)
Home: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets.
Away: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins.
Analysis: Never going to question the chances of Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll. The division is difficutl The road schedule is fair. Expect a great deal of success.
T16-Tampa Bay Buccaneers 128-127-1 (.502)
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings.
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Raiders, New York Giants.
Analysis: Too early to predict what will happen. Love Bruce Arians as the coach. Not sold on Jameis Winston. And if the buzz about Philip Rivers is true, that feels dicey as well.
20-Tennessee Titans 127-128-1 (.498)
Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings.
Analysis: Going to be a challenge for Ryan Tannehill and Mike Vrabel to repeat their late-season run. Big question is whether Tannehill caught lightning in a bottle or legitimately can be the man going forward.
28-Washington Redskins 118-136-2 (.465)
Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers.
Analysis: Ron Rivera deserved much better than the way the Panthers performed for him in 2019. He steps into a difficult situation in Washington. Everything is going to hinge on Dwayne Haskins’ growth. And, remember, no Ohio State QB has lit up the NFL.
