Falcons have by far ‘easiest’ 2023 strength of schedule

The NFL schedule release is Thursday, but the Falcons‘ opponents have been set since January, and their 2023 schedule is by far the easiest in terms of their opponents’ win percentage.

Per ⁦@NFLResearch⁩:

Eagles have the “most difficult” 2023 strength-of-schedule.

Falcons have the “easiest”.

**(Past performance not necessarily indicative of future results.) pic.twitter.com/ylyP2aT3jW

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) May 9, 2023

The Falcons’ opponents won 41.7% of their games, and the Saints are the second lowest with a 42.7% winning percentage. Below are who the Falcons will play at home and away:

• Away: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals
• Home: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders

As usual, the Falcons will face their three divisional rivals at home and on the road, which is arguably the worst division in football.

Moreover, The NFC South as a whole will face the entire NFC North, which is also one of the worst divisions in football. Aaron Rodgers is gone, the Vikings are reeling, and the Bears are rebuilding. The Lions are considered favorites to take the division; it couldn’t have been a better draw for the Falcons.

Somehow, the division also drew the AFC South — the worst division in the American Conference. The Jaguars are likely to win, but the Titans should give them a run for their money. The Texans and Colts will once again be picking near the top of the draft next cycle.

And once again, the Falcons will face the fourth-place finishers — AFC East (Jets), NFC West (Cardinals) and NFC East (Commanders).

Only four games (Buccaneers, at Buccaneers, at Jaguars, Vikings) are against playoff teams from last season. And the Buccaneers are sure to be in play for the 1st overall pick next year. Atlanta also faces the four worst teams from 2022 in terms of record — Chicago, Houston, Arizona, and Indianapolis.

Obviously, clubs can get better over the offseason, but the schedule is set up nicely for the Falcons to make some noise in 2023.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire