EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings are tied with the Rams for the 10th-hardest schedule of 2020, based on the 2019 win percentages of 2020 opponents.
Minnesota's opponents were finalized after the 256th and final game of the regular season in which San Francisco edged Seattle, which sent the Vikings to New Orleans for a Wild Card playoff game.
The NFL uses a formula that repeats patterns to create its schedule.
Minnesota, for instance, annually plays home and away games against NFC North foes Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay to account for six of the 16 regular-season games.
In 2020, the NFC North will go through a rotation with teams from the NFC South and AFC South, playing each team from those two divisions in a home or a road game.
The final two games of a team's schedule are determined by corresponding order of finish with other NFC Divisions that are not in the rotation.
The Vikings finished second in the NFC North. The Dallas Cowboys landed at second in the NFC East, and the Seattle Seahawks finished second in the NFC West.
The NFL alternates whether corresponding order of finish games are home or away on a two-year plan. Thus, the Vikings are heading back to Seattle again in 2020 to wrap the second year of this plan. Seattle and the Los Angeles Rams will visit Minnesota in 2021 because of the NFC West-NFC North matchup through which the Vikings visited the Rams and Seahawks in 2018.
So much changes from year to year with coaching staffs and through free agency and the draft that the records of teams can sway dramatically, but based on 2019 regular-season results, here are the teams' 2020 strength of schedules from hardest to easiest:
Note: The Raiders will be moving to Las Vegas in 2020, but OAK is used to refer to the Raiders.
1. New England Patriots
Strength of schedule: .537 (137-118-1)
Record of Division opponents (BUF, NYJ, MIA): 44-52
Record of Rotation opponents (KC, DEN, OAK, LAC, SF, SEA, LAR, AZ): 69-58-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (BAL, HOU): 24-8
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 7
2. New York Jets
Strength of schedule: .533 (136-119-1)
Record of Division opponents (NE, BUF, MIA): 54-42
Record of Rotation opponents (KC, DEN, OAK, LAC, SF, SEA, LAR, AZ): 69-58-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (CLE, IND): 13-19
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 7
3. Miami Dolphins
Strength of schedule: .529 (135-120-1)
Record of Division opponents (NE, BUF, NYJ): 58-38
Record of Rotation opponents (KC, DEN, OAK, LAC, SF, SEA, LAR, AZ): 69-58-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (CIN, JAX): 8-24
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 7
4. San Francisco 49ers
Strength of schedule: .527 (134-120-2)
Record of Division opponents (SEA, LAR, AZ): 50-44-2
Record of Rotation opponents (PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS, NE, BUF, NYJ, MIA): 58-70
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (GB, NO): 26-6
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 6
T-5. Buffalo Bills
Strength of schedule: .525 (134-121-1)
Record of Division opponents (NE, NYJ, MIA): 48-48
Record of Rotation opponents (KC, DEN, OAK, LAC, SF, SEA, LAR, AZ): 69-58-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (PIT, TEN): 17-15
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
T-5. Atlanta Falcons
Strength of schedule: .525 (134-121-1)
Record of Division opponents (NO, TB, CAR): 50-46
Record of Rotation opponents (GB, MIN, CHI, DET, KC, DEN, OAK, LAC): 65-62-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (SEA, DAL): 19-13
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 6
T-5. Detroit Lions
Strength of schedule: .525 (134-121-1)
Record of Division opponents (GB, MIN, CHI): 62-34
Record of Rotation opponents (NO, ATL, TB, CAR, HOU, TEN, IND, JAC): 64-64
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (WAS, AZ): 8-23-1
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 6
T-8. Arizona Cardinals
Strength of schedule: .518 (132-123-1)
Record of Division opponents (SF, SEA, LAR): 66-30
Record of Rotation opponents (PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS, NE, BUF, NYJ, MIA): 58-70
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (DET, CAR): 8-23-1
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 6
T-8. Houston Texans
Strength of schedule: .518 (132-123-1)
Record of Division opponents (TEN, IND, JAX): 44-52
Record of Rotation opponents (BAL, PIT, CLE, CIN, GB, MIN, CHI, DET): 64-63-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (NE, KC): 24-8
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
T-10. Minnesota Vikings
Strength of schedule: .516 (131-123-2)
Record of Division opponents (GB, CHI, DET): 48-46-2
Record of Rotation opponents (NO, ATL, TB, CAR, HOU, TEN, IND, JAC): 64-64
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (DAL, SEA): 19-13
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
T-10. Los Angeles Rams
Strength of schedule: .516 (131-123-2)
Record of Division opponents (SF, SEA, AZ): 58-36-2
Record of Rotation opponents (PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS, NE, BUF, NYJ, MIA): 58-70
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (CHI, TB): 15-17
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 6
12. Denver Broncos
Strength of schedule: .512 (131-125)
Record of Division opponents (KC, OAK, LAC): 48-48
Record of Rotation opponents (NE, BUF, NYJ, MIA, NO, ATL, TB, CAR): 66-62
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (TEN, PIT): 17-15
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
T-13. Chicago Bears
Strength of schedule: .508 (129-125-2)
Record of Division opponents (GB, MIN, DET): 52-42-2
Record of Rotation opponents (NO, ATL, TB, CAR, HOU, TEN, IND, JAC): 64-64
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (NYG, LAR): 13-19
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 6
T-13. Seattle Seahawks
Strength of schedule: .508 (129-125-2)
Record of Division opponents (SF, LAR, AZ): 54-40-2
Record of Rotation opponents (PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS, NE, BUF, NYJ, MIA): 58-70
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (MIN, ATL): 17-15
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
15. Green Bay Packers
Strength of schedule: .504 (128-126-2)
Record of Division opponents (MIN, CHI, DET): 42-52-2
Record of Rotation opponents (NO, ATL, TB, CAR, HOU, TEN, IND, JAC): 64-64
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (PHI, SF): 22-10
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
T-16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Strength of schedule: .502 (128-127-1)
Record of Division opponents (NO, ATL, CAR): 50-46
Record of Rotation opponents (GB, MIN, CHI, DET, KC, DEN, OAK, LAC): 65-62-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (LAR, NYG): 13-19
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
T-16. Indianapolis Colts
Strength of schedule: .502 (128-127-1)
Record of Division opponents (HOU, TEN, JAX): 50-46
Record of Rotation opponents (BAL, PIT, CLE, CIN, GB, MIN, CHI, DET): 64-63-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (NYJ, OAK): 14-18
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
T-18. Carolina Panthers
Strength of schedule: .500 (127-127-2)
Record of Division opponents (NO, ATL, TB): 54-42
Record of Rotation opponents (GB, MIN, CHI, DET, KC, DEN, OAK, LAC): 65-62-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (AZ, WAS): 8-23-1
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
T-18. Kansas City Chiefs
Strength of schedule: .500 (128-128)
Record of Division opponents (DEN, OAK, LAC): 38-58
Record of Rotation opponents (NE, BUF, NYJ, MIA, NO, ATL, TB, CAR): 66-62
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (HOU, BAL): 24-8
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
20. Tennessee Titans
Strength of schedule: .498 (127-128-1)
Record of Division opponents (HOU, IND, JAX): 46-50
Record of Rotation opponents (BAL, PIT, CLE, CIN, GB, MIN, CHI, DET): 64-63-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (BUF, DEN): 17-15
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 6
21. Oakland Raiders
Strength of schedule: .496 (127-129)
Record of Division opponents (KC, DEN, LAC): 48-48
Record of Rotation opponents (NE, BUF, NYJ, MIA, NO, ATL, TB, CAR): 66-62
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (IND, CLE): 13-19
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
Note: The Raiders will be moving to Las Vegas in 2020.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars
Strength of schedule: .494 (126-129-1)
Record of Division opponents (HOU, TEN, IND): 52-44
Record of Rotation opponents (BAL, PIT, CLE, CIN, GB, MIN, CHI, DET): 64-63-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (MIA, LAC): 10-22
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
23. Los Angeles Chargers
Strength of schedule: .492 (126-130)
Record of Division opponents (KC, DEN, OAK): 52-44
Record of Rotation opponents (NE, BUF, NYJ, MIA, NO, ATL, TB, CAR): 66-62
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (JAX, CIN): 8-24
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
24. New Orleans Saints
Strength of schedule: .490 (125-130-1)
Record of Division opponents (ATL, TB, CAR): 38-58
Record of Rotation opponents (GB, MIN, CHI, DET, KC, DEN, OAK, LAC): 65-62-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (SF, PHI): 22-10
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 4
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Strength of schedule: .486 (124-131-1)
Record of Division opponents (DAL, NYG, WAS): 30-66
Record of Rotation opponents (SF, SEA, LAR, AZ, BAL, PIT, CLE, CIN): 68-59-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (NO, GB): 26-6
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 5
26. New York Giants
Strength of schedule: .482 (123-132-1)
Record of Division opponents (DAL, PHI, WAS): 40-56
Record of Rotation opponents (SF, SEA, LAR, AZ, BAL, PIT, CLE, CIN): 68-59-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (TB, CHI): 15-17
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 3
27. Cincinnati Bengals
Strength of schedule: .477 (122-134)
Record of Division opponents (BAL, PIT, CLE): 56-40
Record of Rotation opponents (HOU, TEN, IND, JAX, PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS): 56-72
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (MIA, LAC): 10-22
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 3
28. Washington Redskins
Strength of schedule: .465 (118-136-2)
Record of Division opponents (PHI, DAL, NYG): 42-54
Record of Rotation opponents (SF, SEA, LAR, AZ, BAL, PIT, CLE, CIN): 68-59-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (CAR, DET): 8-23-1
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 3
29. Cleveland Browns
Strength of schedule: .461 (118-138)
Record of Division opponents (BAL, PIT, CIN): 48-48
Record of Rotation opponents (HOU, TEN, IND, JAX, PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS): 56-72
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (NYJ, OAK): 14-18
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 3
30. Dallas Cowboys
Strength of schedule: .459 (117-138-1)
Record of Division opponents (PHI, NYG, WAS): 32-64
Record of Rotation opponents (SF, SEA, LAR, AZ, BAL, PIT, CLE, CIN): 68-59-1
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (ATL, MIN): 17-15
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 4
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
Strength of schedule: .457 (117-139)
Record of Division opponents (BAL, CLE, CIN): 44-52
Record of Rotation opponents (HOU, TEN, IND, JAX, PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS): 56-72
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (BUF, DEN): 17-15
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 4
32. Baltimore Ravens
Strength of schedule: .438 (112-144)
Record of Division opponents (PIT, CLE, CIN): 32-64
Record of Rotation opponents (HOU, TEN, IND, JAX, PHI, DAL, NYG, WAS): 56-72
Record of Corresponding Finish opponents (KC, NE): 24-8
Games against teams with 10-plus wins: 3
