The entire NFL schedule for every group was launched on Thursday night time, and now we now have a full image of how issues may form up. There isn’t so much in relation to who “gained” with their slate of video games exterior of favorable bye weeks, or simple opening runs to arrange the season — however there are positively a handful of groups who actually acquired screwed over in relation to their schedules.
These are the 4 groups that acquired an added layer of complexity added to their seasons as a consequence of scheduling.
The Cardinals might want to reconcile two opposing goals in 2026: Establishing Mike LaFleur as a profitable coach, whereas additionally making an attempt to make sure they tank the hell out of the season to allow them to discover their quarterback of the longer term within the 2027 draft, as a result of lol no, Carson Beck isn’t the reply.
It’s all effectively and good to say “simply tank the 12 months, and provides LaFleur a season of grace,” however that’s simpler mentioned than carried out while you’re making an attempt to determine a profitable tradition inside a locker room. The primary difficulty is that there’s no good place on the Arizona slate the place you could find them to at the least seize a number of wins and show to themselves that the trail is working.
A fully brutal run kicks the season off as a consequence of taking part in within the NFC West and getting a tough schedule because of this. Take a look at this opponent run as much as the Week 14 bye: Chargers, Seahawks, 49ers, Giants, Lions, Rams, Broncos, Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams, Chiefs, Commanders, Eagles. That’s simply horrific for a group looking for a strategy to win. I don’t know what the Cardinals did to deserve having FIVE divisional matchups earlier than their bye.
No. 2: Los Angeles Chargers
The large factor with the Chargers’ slate is how effectively rested all of their opponents will likely be heading into their video games. This chart actually tells the entire story, with Los Angeles having an unbelievable 24 fewer days of relaxation over the course of the season in comparison with their opponents.
Not solely this, however the Chargers have a bye week that falls too early within the season. They are going to be off Week 7, and nonetheless have the majority of their video games forward of them. It’s particularly tough while you consider that the remainder of the AFC West acquired pretty useful schedules for 2026 and that provides extra problem for them.
No. 3: San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ have two worldwide video games, kicking off in Australia towards the Rams, then heading to Mexico Metropolis later within the season. That will be troublesome sufficient with irregular journey including to the challenges of taking part in within the NFC West, however San Francisco additionally had a brutal run after their sport towards the Vikings in Mexico Metropolis, which comes at a important time when they are going to be eyeing the playoffs.
From Week 13 till the tip of the season listed below are their opponents so as: Seahawks, Giants, Rams, Chargers, Chiefs, Eagles, Cardinals.
The one gimme on the slate is Arizona, with so many powerful video games approaching the street to the playoffs. It’s extremely simple to hit a skid, lose confidence, and limp into the playoffs at finest. As well as, the 49ers have some brutal journey with their journey to Australia, in addition to heading cross-country to New York and Atlanta. General this was only a brutal lineup of video games.
This has a lot much less to do with the truth that the Bears face the hardest energy of schedule within the NFL, and way more to do with their sport scheduling. Throughout the 17 sport common season we see Chicago play 5 video games in primetime, two with 4:25 p.m. ET kickoffs, and so they play on each holidays. Because of this over half the season sees Chicago transferring round days, slots, and zones — which is absolutely troublesome while you’re making an attempt to construct routine and consistency.
Clearly, Ben Johnson is the sort of coach who can get stable performances out of his gamers, however there’s little question it is a difficult strategy to function in a season with all of the stress of nationwide video games, the eye they create, and altering up preparation from week to week. Throw that in with a tricky opponent slate and it is likely to be difficult for the Bears to have as a lot success this season.
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