The 2026 NFL season features the Browns, Saints, and Bengals among teams with the easiest schedules. These teams are expected to benefit from a lighter path compared to others.
Key points
Browns, Saints, Bengals have easiest NFL schedules in 2026
Strength of schedule based on previous season's opponent winning percentage
Easier schedules can improve playoff chances
49ers and Patriots benefited from easier schedules in 2025
Very few NFL games can be characterized as "easy." After all, the AFC champions lost to the team that earned the No. 1 pick with a 2-15 record last season. Not all are created equal, however.
Determining a team's true strength of schedule is difficult. Last season's opponent winning percentage is the best measure, but in a league that routinely sees teams go from worst-to-first, it's an inexact science.
In 2025, the teams with the easiest schedules heading into the season did benefit. The 49ers faced a light path, as expected, outside of their divisional games against the Rams and Seahawks, while the Patriots had some good fortune on their way to the Super Bowl.
Who could follow in the footsteps of the 49ers and Patriots and take advantage of a light schedule in 2026? Here are the easiest slates.
Which NFL teams have the easiest schedules in 2026?
The Browns, Saints, and Bengals are among the teams with the easiest schedules for the 2026 NFL season.
How is the strength of schedule determined for NFL teams?
The strength of schedule is primarily determined by the previous season's opponent winning percentage, although it can be unpredictable due to team performance fluctuations.
What impact does an easy schedule have on NFL teams?
An easier schedule can provide teams with a better chance of winning games and potentially improving their playoff prospects.
What teams had the easiest schedules in the 2025 NFL season?
In 2025, the 49ers, Patriots, and other teams faced easier schedules, which contributed to their success that season.
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First-time head coach Todd Monken has what could be called a lose-lose decision to make at quarterback, but with a talented defense returning and an easier schedule ahead, there should be a path to progress in 2026.
The Browns have the NFL's easiest schedule in terms of opponent winning percentage at .429. Much of that is owed to the AFC North lining up with the NFC South, which saw all four teams finish under .500. Cleveland also earned matchups with the Raiders, Jets and Giants by finishing last in the AFC North; all won four or fewer games in 2025.
The schedule could be deceiving, as both the Ravens (8-9) and Bengals (6-11) expect to be much better with their quarterbacks fully healthy and a new head coach, in Baltimore's case. The Browns will face both teams twice.
The Saints entered 2025 with the second-easiest schedule in the NFL and will do so again after taking advantage of it down the stretch and beating expectations with a six-win season.
Playing in the NFC South, where all teams finished under .500 last season, and still getting to face a last-place schedule are the biggest factors. New Orleans will get two matchups each with the Panthers, Buccaneers and Falcons, and the last-place finish earned them dates with the Giants, Cardinals and Raiders.
If Tyler Shough can build on the momentum from the final stretch of his rookie season, the Saints could take advantage of home matchups with the Cardinals, Browns and Raiders and make a run at the NFC South crown.
The Bengals reap many of the same benefits as the Browns, facing the entire NFC South while also getting to face Cleveland twice, but a third-place schedule bumps up their strength of schedule in comparison.
While the Browns' last-place finish created matchups with the Raiders, Jets and Giants, the Bengals will face the Chiefs, Dolphins and Commanders instead. Miami is expected to be among the NFL's worst teams in 2025, but the Chiefs and Commanders are both expecting to be much better with their quarterbacks healthy.
Michael Penix Bijan Robinson
Michael Penix Bijan Robinson
T-4. Atlanta Falcons
Opponents' 2025 winning percentage: .465
The Falcons finished third in a three-way NFC South tiebreaker, and the benefit is what should be a lighter schedule than the Panthers or Buccaneers. It still won't be easy, as two of their new third-place opponents happen to be the 49ers and Chiefs. Given the Ravens' 8-9 record and Bengals' 6-11 record are also factored into Atlanta's opponent win percentage, this slate won't be as easy as it looks.
The AFC South isn't as much of a pushover as it once was, with the Jaguars winning 13 games in 2025 and the Texans bringing what could be the NFL's best defense to the table in 2026. The Colts still have a schedule that sits well below .500 in terms of opponent win percentage, thanks to three AFC North opponents that finished with a losing record in 2025 and a fortunate home matchup with the Dolphins.
Why do the Colts have an easier schedule than the Titans, who finished last in the same division? The simplest answer is the Titans can't play themselves, so Tennessee has six divisional games against teams that finished over .500 while Indianapolis only has four.
