The 2026 NFL schedule reveals the Detroit Lions have the easiest path, while the Arizona Cardinals face the toughest schedule. This analysis highlights the projected strength of schedule for all 32 teams.
Key points
2026 NFL schedule released
Detroit Lions have easiest path
Arizona Cardinals face toughest schedule
Strength of schedule varies among teams
Analysis includes all 32 NFL teams
Detroit LionsArizona CardinalsNFL
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The 2026 NFL schedule has been released, and that has football fans everywhere looking ahead to the upcoming season.
Some fans will be looking forward with the rose-colored optimism inspired by a quality offseason. Others will be more apprehensive, knowing that not all schedules are created equally and that their favorite squad may face a tough path toward a winning season.
Which teams are facing the easiest and hardest schedules for the 2026 NFL season? Here's a look at the projected strength of schedule for all 32 teams, which features an NFC North team getting the most favorable draw for the upcoming campaign.
Below is a look at every NFL team's strength of schedule for the 2026 season, sorted from easiest to hardest. The strength of schedule is based on projected win totals for 2026, via Sharp Football Analysis.
The Detroit Lions have the easiest schedule for the 2026 NFL season. They finished fourth in the NFC North last season despite logging a 9-8 record, which allowed them to play a last-place schedule.
The Lions drew matchups with the Cardinals, Giants and Titans after their last-place finish last season. Additionally, the NFC North is playing the AFC East and NFC South as part of its rotating schedule, which will allow the Lions to play the Jets, Dolphins, Falcons, Panthers and Saints, all of whom are projected to have losing records in 2026.
Easiest NFL schedules for 2026
Below are the five NFL teams with the easiest projected schedules for 2026:
Like the Lions, the Saints, Browns and Jets will all play last-place schedules in 2026. New Orleans will also benefit from playing in the ever-weak NFC South, which is why the team ranks behind only Detroit in strength of schedule.
The Bengals are the lone squad of the bunch not to be playing a last-place schedule. They will play a third-place schedule but will benefit from drawing the AFC South and NFC South as part of their yearly rotating schedule.
Who has the NFL's hardest schedule in 2026?
The Arizona Cardinals have the hardest projected schedule for the 2026 NFL season. They play in the NFC West – which produced three playoff teams last season, including the Super Bowl champion Seahawks – and will have a brutal divisional schedule as a result.
Making matters worse, the NFC West teams are set to play the NFC East and AFC West in 2026. That will grant Arizona few non-divisional reprieves, especially since the Lions are – along with the Jets and Saints – among the teams the Cardinals will have to face after finishing last in the NFC West in 2025.
Given the Cardinals' tough schedule and lack of established quarterback, it's fair to expect them to have one of the NFL's worst records in 2026.
Hardest NFL schedules for 2026
Below are the five NFL teams with the easiest projected schedules for 2026:
Among the toughest schedules, only the Panthers finished first in their division last season. Carolina's first-place schedule caused it to draw the Broncos, Eagles and Seahawks which – in addition to the team's matchups with all the AFC North and NFC North clubs – gives the Panthers a tough path back to the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Rams – like the Cardinals – are playing in the loaded NFC West, which will give Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay a tough path toward a second Super Bowl win.
