The Patriots again have the NFLs easiest schedule for 2018. Seriously.

[Cattledog]

The NFL announced the 2018 regular season schedule Thursday night, and the New England Patriots once again have the easiest schedule. What’s stunning about that is they had the easiest schedule in 2017 as well, a stinging indictment for AFC East teams not based in Foxborough, Mass.

While we should once again expect to see Tom Brady and Co. atop the standings, it’s the Detroit Lions who have the league’s most daunting path the postseason.

To determine strength of schedule in 2018 I am using a blend of Super Bowl LIII future odds from the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook coupled with the over/under win totals set by online sportsbook 5Dimes. By this method, the Patriots’ opponents are expected to win between seven and eight games, on average, with just two, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers, estimated to win 10 or more games during the season.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2018/04/19/the-patriots-again-have-the-nfls-easiest-schedule-for-2018-seriously/?utm_term=.ba91aa505434

[Croney]

1. Cool.

[underpants]

2. A. 6 games are against the Bills, Dolphins, and the hapless Jets. B. The Post is wrong

They play the Jags and Vikes who both were in their respective Conference Championship games last year. The Bills did make the playoffs last year as did the Chiefs. The Bye week is a great one for timings sake.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Sept. 9 vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Sept. 16 at Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Sept. 23 at Detroit Lions, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Sept. 30 vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Oct. 4 vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8:20 p.m. (FOX/NFLN)
Oct. 14 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Oct. 21 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Oct. 29 at Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Nov. 4 vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Nov. 11 at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Nov. 18 -- BYE
Nov. 25 at New York Jets, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Dec. 2 vs. Minnesota Vikings, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Dec. 9 at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Dec. 16 at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Dec. 23 vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Dec. 30 vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. (CBS)

[Angleae]

3. The Posts numbers are a bit off, the Patriots are tied for 10th.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/04/nfl-teams-easiest-2018-schedule

[KG]

4. since the teams played is preset, can't blame belichik.

they play in a middling division.