NFL strength-of-schedule ranking reveals difficult road for Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) huddles with his teammates during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael J. Bidwill during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jayden Williams speaks with the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor (94) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (30) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (83) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals tight end Jameson Geers (46) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (57) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

1 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

1 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

2 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

3 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

4 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) huddles with his teammates during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

5 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

6 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

7 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck (19) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

8 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael J. Bidwill during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

9 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

10 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

11 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

12 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

13 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

14 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

15 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

16 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur talks to the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

17 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Jayden Williams speaks with the media during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

18 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

19 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor (94) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

20 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgi (82) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

21 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (30) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

22 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer (83) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

23 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals tight end Jameson Geers (46) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

24 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (57) during rookie mini-camp practice on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

25 / 25

Scenes at Cardinals 2026 rookie mini-camp in Tempe

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) during rookie mini-camp on May 8, 2026, at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe.

Arizona Cardinals' schedule ranked most difficult in NFL

Sharp Football Analysis determined the strength-of-schedule rankings for every NFL team in 2026-27 based on NFL win-total odds, and the Cardinals had the toughest schedule in the NFL (playing in the same division as the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers is no easy feat).

The Miami Dolphins were next, with the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams rounding out the Top 5 NFL teams with the most difficult schedules in the upcoming season.

The analysis had the Detroit Lions' schedule ranked as the NFL's easiest, followed by the New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.

More: When will Arizona Cardinals' 2026 schedule be released? What to know

Arizona Cardinals' 2026-27 opponents projected to win 156.5 games

BetMGM took the analysis a step further, posting the projected win totals of NFL teams based on BetMGM Sportsbook's odds.

The Cardinals' schedule was ranked the hardest, with its opponents projected to win 156.5 games this season.

The Detroit Lions' opponents are projected to win an NFL-low 135.5 games, putting Arizona's schedule at a projected 21 games more difficult than Detroit's.

Not an easy schedule for a last-place team.

Games are not played on paper. But the projections are not kind regarding the Cardinals' schedule in the upcoming season.

More: Who will Arizona Cardinals play in NFL Week 1? AI predicts opponent

Carson Beck and the Arizona Cardinals have the NFL's most difficult schedule in 2026-27 season.

NFL strength-of-schedule rankings for every team before 2026-27 NFL schedule release:

• 1. Detroit Lions (easiest schedule in NFL)
• 2. New Orleans Saints
• 3. Cincinnati Bengals
• 4. Cleveland Browns
• 5. New York Jets
• 6. Baltimore Ravens
• 7. Philadelphia Eagles
• 8. San Francisco 49ers
• 9. Indianapolis Colts
• 10. Kansas City Chiefs
• 11. Denver Broncos
• 12. New England Patriots
• 13. Tennessee Titans
• 14. Buffalo Bills
• 15. Jacksonville Jaguars
• 16. Minnesota Vikings
• 17. Green Bay Packers
• 18. Pittsburgh Steelers
• 19. Las Vegas Raiders
• 20. Atlanta Falcons
• 21. Los Angeles Chargers
• 22. Seattle Seahawks
• 23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 24. New York Giants
• 25. Washington Commanders
• 26. Houston Texans
• 27. Chicago Bears
• 28. Los Angeles Rams
• 29. Dallas Cowboys
• 30. Carolina Panthers
• 31. Miami Dolphins
• 32. Arizona Cardinals (most difficult schedule in NFL)

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Sign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals have NFL's toughest schedule in 2026, ranking says