New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

The New Orleans Saints will play a considerably tougher schedule in 2016 than they did in 2015, based on the team's cumulative strength-of-schedule records.

The Saints' 2016 opponents combined for a 140-116 record (.547) in 2015, which appears to be more challenging than the 129-127 (.503) mark posted by their 2015 foes.

Although the Saints will play nine games in 2016 against teams they also played in 2015, a bulk of the Saints' beefed-up schedule will come against NFC West and AFC West opponents.

The four NFC West teams on the Saints' 2016 schedule combined for 35 wins in 2015, with the Arizona Cardinals (13 wins) and Seattle Seahawks (10) both securing double-figure totals. The four AFC West teams combined for 34 wins, with the Denver Broncos (12 wins) and Kansas City Chiefs (11) also in double figures.

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Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

7-9 season yet again?

Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

Might as well play a tougher schedule. The easier schedule didn't seem to help.

Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

As if we have any idea how any of those teams will play next year. This is the NFL. Mediocrity reigns supreme, but for the VERY few.

Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

yeah yeah lets skip the season all together go to the playoffs and talk 2017 draft right now

Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

There are no easy schedules in the NFL and in order to be the best, you have to be the best so I don't see a problem.

Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

And I'll add that the difference between a 6-10 team and a 10-6 team is razor thin.

Teams make huge swings in their records every year.

Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

The Saints' 2016 opponents combined for a 140-116 record (.547) in 2015, which appears to be more challenging than the 129-127 (.503) mark posted by their 2015 foes.

So in 2015 our opponents finished the previous year at 8-8
Now, our 2016 opponents finished the previous year at 8-8

Wow, it does look much tougher! :rolleyes:

Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

Stupid.
this never means anything

Note: the Panthers account for 8 of 11 wins that are the differential from '15 to '16
The Bucs also account for a +4 improvement, and Falcons +2

So, using Good Will Hunting math, our schedule outside of our division is actually 3 games EASIER

Re: New Orleans Saints to play considerably tougher schedule in 2016
 

^Not exactly, the top tier teams we play are much stronger than the colts, texans, cowboys, and eagles. We have the cards, seahawks, broncos, and chiefs. The defenses are the bigger problem, as they are better than what we faced this year. That's the thing that should be determined, not the record but the defense.