A look at 2009 strength of schedule

<em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em> <p>In a league where teams go from big losers to big winners in the span of a year, these numbers mean far less than they used to.</p> <p>Still, strength of schedule is one of the only ways we have to measure what's coming or predict a team's potential to rise or slide in the standings.</p> <p>In terms of the 2008 winning percentage of the teams they will play in 2009, the AFC South ranks in a bunch at tied for 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th. As the division plays the NFC West, I'm surprised the schedules of the Titans, Colts, Texans and Jaguars rank as high as they do.</p> <p> <table border="0" align="center"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="500" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tr> <td colspan="5" bgcolor="#196120"><font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#ffffff"><strong>Highest Opponents' Combined Win Pct (2009 Schedule) </strong> </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#d6d6d6"><font face="Verdana" size="1"><strong> </strong></font><br /> </td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#d6d6d6"><font face="Verdana" size="1"><strong>Win</strong></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#d6d6d6"><font face="Verdana" size="1"><strong>Loss</strong></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#d6d6d6"><font face="Verdana" size="1"><strong>Tie</strong></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#d6d6d6"><font face="Verdana" size="1" style="line-height: 1.2em"><strong>Opp. Combined<br /> win pct*</strong></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">1. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=mia" target="_new">Miami Dolphins</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">152</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 104</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.594 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">2. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=car" target="_new">Carolina Panthers</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">151</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 104</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.592 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">3. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe" target="_new">New England Patriots</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">151</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 105</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.590 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">4. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=atl" target="_new">Atlanta Falcons</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 150</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 105</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.588 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">5. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=tam" target="_new">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">148</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 107</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.580 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">6. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=buf" target="_new">Buffalo Bills</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 146</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 110</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.570 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">7. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyj" target="_new">New York Jets</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 145</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 110</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.568 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">8. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nor" target="_new">New Orleans Saints</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 142</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 113</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.557 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">9. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=phi" target="_new">Philadelphia Eagles</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 137</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 119</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.535 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">10. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyg" target="_new">New York Giants</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 134</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 120</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.527 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">11. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=dal" target="_new">Dallas Cowboys</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">131</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 123</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.516 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">11. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=jac" target="_new">Jacksonville Jaguars</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">132</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 124</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.516 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">13. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ind" target="_new">Indianapolis Colts</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 131</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 125</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.512 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">14. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ten" target="_new">Tennessee Titans</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 130</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 126</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.508 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">15. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=hou" target="_new">Houston Texans</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">129</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 126</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.506 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">16. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=was" target="_new">Washington Redskins</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 125</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 129</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.492 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">17. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=kan" target="_new">Kansas City Chiefs</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 123</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 131</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.484 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">17. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sdg" target="_new">San Diego Chargers</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 123</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 131</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.484 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">19. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=den" target="_new">Denver Broncos</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">122</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 132</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.480 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">19. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=oak" target="_new">Oakland Raiders</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 122</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 132</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.480 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">21. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=det" target="_new">Detroit Lions</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 119</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 136</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.467 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">22. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cin" target="_new">Cincinnati Bengals</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 119</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 137</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.465 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">22. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=stl" target="_new">St. Louis Rams</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">119</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 137</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.465 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">24. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sea" target="_new">Seattle Seahawks</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 117</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 139</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.457 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">25. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cle" target="_new">Cleveland Browns</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 114</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 140</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.449 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">26. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sfo" target="_new">San Francisco 49ers</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 113</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 142</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.443 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">27. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ari" target="_new">Arizona Cardinals</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">113</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 143</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 0</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.441 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">28. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=bal" target="_new">Baltimore Ravens</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 111</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 143</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.438 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">29. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=pit" target="_new">Pittsburgh Steelers</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 110</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 144</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.434 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">30. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=gnb" target="_new">Green Bay Packers</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">109</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 146</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.428 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">31. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=min" target="_new">Minnesota Vikings</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">107</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 148</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 1</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.420 </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">32. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=chi" target="_new">Chicago Bears</a></font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 105</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 149</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1"> 2</font></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#f4f4f4"><font face="Verdana" size="1">.414</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="5" bgcolor="#ffffff"><em><font face="Verdana" size="1">* Based on opponents' 2008 record</font></em></td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </p> <p>A reminder of which teams' records are being added up to get to those numbers.</p> <p><strong>Houston</strong></p> <p>Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks</p> <p>Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams</p> <p><strong>Indianapolis</strong></p> <p>Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks</p> <p>Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams</p> <p><strong>Jacksonville</strong></p> <p>Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams.</p> <p>Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks.</p> <p><strong>Tennessee</strong></p> <p>Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams</p> <p>Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks</p>

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