Falcons Disrespect: Easiest (and Quietest) Schedule in NFL
The greatest thing about the NFL standings? Nobody votes on ‘em.
There is no “coaches poll” and there is no “writers’ survey.” The NFL standings don’t care if you play an “easy schedule” and the NFL standings don’t care if you play a schedule that threatens to be “under the radar” for the better part of five months.
But “radar” happens when a team wins. And now that the 2023 NFL schedule is out?
The Atlanta Falcons - who have it “easy” and who have it “quiet” and who may have motivation from having been “disrespected” - can be in charge of their own “radar.”
The league’s Thursday schedule announcement was paired with a “strength of schedule” release. It’s overrated because it’s based on last year’s results, which may have nothing to do with 2023. But for the record, the Philadelphia Eagles have the hardest schedule with a combined opponents' winning percentage of .566.
And your Atlanta Falcons? They have the easiest slate as their opponents from last year have a combined .417 winning percentage.
That suggests a jump-up in the NFC South, a chance for a Falcons team that last year almost won the division at 7-10 to take a large and noticeable step toward contention this year. … with one problem: The NFL is not envisioning that.
Want proof? Atlanta is one of just four teams to not have a primetime game this upcoming season, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Desmond Ridder and now Bijan Robinson … “must-not-watch TV.”
We find that a bit stunning. And we wonder if coach Arthur Smith’s bunch finds it just a bit insulting enough to be inspired by the snub.
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