NFL strength of schedule rankings for 2023 season: Cowboys, Eagles lead the way

It's not exactly a science to determine which NFL teams have the hardest or easiest schedule for the simple reason that we don't know how good or bad each team is yet. But when making the schedule every year, the league tries to ensure that the best teams from the season before play the toughest slates while the worst teams play the easiest.

Which leaves the question: how do you determine a quality schedule? One way is to simply count up the wins and losses of your opponents from the season before.

It's far from perfect, however: teams can change radically from one year to the next thanks to roster or coaching turnover, unforeseen injuries, free agency, and trades, along with the plain organic changes that teams go through over time.

Monday Night Football schedule for 2023 NFL season

But right now, it's all we've got. Here is your look at the strength of schedule rankings for each of the 32 teams in the NFL as we approach the 2023 season kickoff.

NFL strength of schedule rankings for 2023 season

32. Falcons — 119-167-3 (.417)

31. Saints — 122-164-3 (.427)

30. Texans — 123-163-2 (.431)

29. Colts — 124-162-2 (.434)

28. Titans — 127-157-4 (.448)

27. Panthers — 130-157-2 (.453)

26. Browns — 131-154-2 (.460)

25. Steelers — 134-151-2 (.470)

24. Packers — 137-157-1 (.476)

23. Jaguars — 135-148-4 (.477)

22. Buccaneers — 138-148-2 (.483)

21. Ravens — 138-147-2 (.484)

20. Lions — 143-146 (.495)

19. Vikings — 143-145 (.497)

18. Bears — 143-145-1 (.497)

17. Bengals — 146-140-2 (.510)

16. Chiefs — 147-140 (.512)

15. 49ers — 147-142 (.514)

T-12. Seahawks — 148-138-2 (.517)

T-12. Broncos — 148-138-2 (.517)

T-12. Chargers — 149-139 (.517)

11. Cardinals — 148-147-3 (.519)

10. Raiders — 150-136-2 (.524)

9. Rams — 152-133-3 (.533)

8. Commanders — 153-133-2 (.535)

7. Bills — 155-131-2 (.542)

6. Jets — 155-129-3 (.545)

T-4. Giants — 157-129-2 (.549)

T-4. Cowboys — 156-128-4 (.549)

3. Patriots — 156-128-3 (.549)

2. Dolphins — 158-127-2 (.554)

1. Eagles — 161-123-4 (.566)