Timing is everything in the NFL. A team that looks formidable in May might be decimated by October injuries. Strength of schedule offers at least a roadmap of the challenges ahead—and now that the full 2026 schedule is locked in, here are the definitive power rankings heading into training camp.

1. Super Bowl odds: +40000

This team faces a brutal gauntlet that could leave them 0-13 before their bye week. After that, they'll scrape together wins against the Jets, Saints and Raiders. By then, the existential question becomes moot.

2. Super Bowl odds: +30000

If they tanked for the top pick, who would notice? Nine of their last 11 games come against teams projected to win nine or more games. After opening against the Raiders, the schedule turns nightmarish fast.

3. Super Bowl odds: +15000

Finding soft spots in this schedule for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza is nearly impossible. Maybe Week 8 against the Jets or Week 12 against the Browns—but those are the only weak contests after September.

4. Super Bowl odds: +20000

The Jets catch a relatively easy schedule. Their survival depends on navigating Robert Saleh's revenge quest in the opener and three straight NFC North games. Week 5 onwards opens up considerably.

5. Super Bowl odds: +15000

The NFL's easiest schedule based on last year's record, combined with minimal travel—fewer miles than all but one team. The problem: they still need to find a quarterback.

6. Super Bowl odds: +12000

On paper, the Titans' slate looks manageable. In reality, it's far tougher. After Saleh likely exacts revenge in Week 1, the schedule hardens considerably.

7. Super Bowl odds: +8000

Once Detroit and Baltimore clear out in the opening weeks, this team sits atop one of the NFL's easiest schedules by expected wins. The setup is ideal: no games against 2025 playoff teams in the final four weeks.

8. Super Bowl odds: +5000

Seven of the last nine games pit them against teams projected to win 9-11 games. Aaron Rodgers' 42-year-old body will be aching by then.

9. Super Bowl odds: +6500

Surviving the first eight games may be impossible. Three road trips bracket the schedule: Philadelphia and Dallas to open, then San Francisco in Week 6. They also face the Seahawks and Rams. Arizona in Week 12 offers the first real breather.

10. Super Bowl odds: +6500

The opening against Baltimore, Kansas City and Houston presents three brutal tests for either a backup or an injured Daniel Jones. After that, the difficulty drops sharply.

11. Super Bowl odds: +5000

The first half is comfortable by comparison. Then the second half arrives: trips to Chicago, Detroit and Baltimore, home games against the Chargers and Rams. The final nine games are a grind.

12. Super Bowl odds: +2500

The third-toughest schedule by expected opponent wins, combined with 27,980 miles of travel—more than all but three NFL teams. Add five prime-time games and the road becomes exhausting.

13. Super Bowl odds: +12000

The road slate is manageable. The home schedule is brutal. The first six home games: Panthers, Ravens, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Lions. Plus a "home" game against the Bengals in Madrid. Brutal.

14. Super Bowl odds: +7000

The NFL gifted John Harbaugh a favorable first six games—only a road trip to the Rams looks impossible. They better build a cushion before life gets tough after their Week 8 bye.

15. Super Bowl odds: +8000

Good news: the Panthers travel just 8,740 miles—fewer than any other team. Bad news: they play the third-hardest schedule by projected wins while doing it.

16. Super Bowl odds: +5000

If they survive the division, the finish is fantastic. Three of the last four games at home, including one against the Commanders. The only road trip is to New York against the Jets.

17. Super Bowl odds: +1600

The Cardinals and Raiders opening feels easy. Then comes eight weeks of hell: a four-game stretch featuring trips to Buffalo, Seattle and Kansas City, with Denver at home in between. The ouch factor is real.

18. Super Bowl odds: +1800

Despite the NFL's easiest schedule by projected wins, the league created difficulty anyway. Opening the Bills' new stadium in Week 2 sounds great. Then three of the last four games become division road trips.

19. Super Bowl odds: +1600

The schedule is dotted with soft spots—no extended losing streaks should materialize. Most of the tough games (Bills, Texans, Lions) come at home down the stretch.

20. Super Bowl odds: +1700

Here's the nightmare: the 49ers will set an NFL record traveling over 38,000 miles this season, including trips to Melbourne, Australia and Mexico City. They'll cross 58 time zones. Surviving that might be impossible.

21. Super Bowl odds: +1500

The schedule is backloaded—potentially survivable if Patrick Mahomes is rusty early. The catch: it remains brutal when Mahomes returns to form.

22. Super Bowl odds: +2200

Joe Burrow is back. The defense improved significantly. They get one of the NFL's easiest schedules, playing just two 2025 playoff teams over the final 14 weeks.

23. Super Bowl odds: +1800

The league's best defense doesn't face many offensive powerhouses on the road. Most brutal tests (Bengals, Cowboys, Bills) come at home and early.

24. Super Bowl odds: +2500

They drew the NFL's toughest schedule—though it's slightly easier if measured by projected 2026 wins instead of 2025 record. Seven prime-time or stand-alone games means the whole world watches.

25. Super Bowl odds: +3000

Only one home game in the first six weeks—against the Patriots—plus two international contests. Survival of that gauntlet yields a smooth ride afterward.

26. Super Bowl odds: +1600

Basically the same brutal slate as Buffalo, only with more home games late. The difference: the Patriots aren't acclimated to schedules like this, and their coach has been... um... distracted.

27. Super Bowl odds: +1000

The schedule grinds: the entire AFC West, the NFC North, plus December road trips to New England, Green Bay and Denver. The bright side: battle-tested for the playoffs.

28. Super Bowl odds: +950

I took heat for ranking them this high. Then I studied their schedule—they won't face a real test until Week 7 at home against the Bengals.

29. Super Bowl odds: +1600

Remove three NFC West games and the schedule softens considerably. Their two toughest matchups (Rams, Seahawks) come at home, and the frequently-traveling 49ers should be exhausted by the time they visit San Francisco.

30. Super Bowl odds: +950

Essentially the same tough schedule as the Rams, but with about 12,000 fewer air miles. The NFC West battle comes down to those two final-three-week matchups between these rivals.

31. Super Bowl odds: +800

My colleague Eric Williams doesn't share my optimism. I remain bullish, but the schedule made me squeamish. They'll travel 34,847 miles—brutal for Matthew Stafford's 38-year-old back. Facing the Seahawks twice in the final three games caps a brutal final two months.

32. Super Bowl odds: +2000

The first six games are dreadful. But assuming they survive, a soft schedule middle from Weeks 7 to 15 could spark a real run. That should suffice for the AFC class—a team motivated by knowing they should've been in the Super Bowl last year.