With less than half of the 2011 NFL season left, teams are trying to put their best foot forward in order to finish their season strong. While each team has six or seven games left in the season, some teams have an easier strength of schedule (SOS) than others, making their road to the playoffs a lot easier to fathom.
4 (tied). Dallas Cowboys: 27-36, .429 opponent winning percentage
The 5-4 Cowboys have quite a favorable season-ending schedule. While they still have four more games against their NFC East rivals, the Cowboys also draw a Week 12 matchup against the 2-7 Miami Dolphins, a Week 13 matchup against the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals, and a Week 15 matchup against the 4-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the New York Giants having a much more difficult SOS the rest of the way, the Cowboys may just be favorites to win the division.
4 (tied). New York Jets: 27-36, .429 opponent winning percentage
The 5-4 Jets (not including Week 11 loss to Denver Broncos) have a favorable schedule as well, for they are battling the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills for a shot at the AFC East title. Only scheduled to face two teams with winning records (Bills and Giants), the Jets could find themselves with a 10-win season.
4 (tied). Seattle Seahawks: 27-36, .429 opponent winning percentage
The 3-6 Seahawks may have no shot at winning the NFC West title, but they do have a great season-ending schedule. Facing off against five teams with losing records and four games against NFC West rivals, the Seahawks could hypothetically finish the season 8-8.
3. San Francisco 49ers: 26-38, .406 opponent winning percentage
The 8-1 49ers are like the Seahawks in that they get to face several underwhelming opponents in the NFC West. With two games against the Cardinals, two games against the Seahawks, and one game against the St. Louis Rams, the 49ers' remaining SOS gives them a great shot at securing one of the top two seed of the NFC playoffs and a first-round bye.
2. Houston Texans: 21-34, .382 opponent winning percentage
The 7-3 Texans are on Week 11 bye and will return to their NFL schedule with one of the best remaining SOS in the NFL. With their toughest test possibly being the 5-4 Atlanta Falcons in Week 13, the 6-3 Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14, or the 5-4 Tennessee Titans in Week 17, the Texans have a good shot at making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history despite likely losing Matt Schaub for the rest of the season and going forward with Matt Leinart.
1. New England Patriots: 22-43, .338 opponent winning percentage
The 6-3 Patriots are atop the AFC East but face tough challenges in the Jets and Bills for the division title. However, with no very difficult tests in the rest of their season and still a game this season against the winless Indianapolis Colts in Week 13, the Patriots have the best remaining SOS and the best shot at securing the top spot in the AFC East.
Sources:
Dallas Cowboys 2011 Season, Yahoo! Sports
New York Jets 2011 Season, Yahoo! Sports
Seattle Seahawks 2011 Season, Yahoo! Sports
San Francisco 49ers 2011 Season, Yahoo! Sports
Houston Texans 2011 Season, Yahoo! Sports
New England Patriots 2011 Season, Yahoo! Sports
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Austin Chang is a lifelong football fan, San Francisco 49ers supporter, and contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @_austinchang.
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