A team’s projected difficulty for the upcoming season is often assessed by examining the combined win-loss record of its opponents from the prior season. This analysis results in a relative scale that identifies the teams facing the most and least challenging slates of games. For example, a team whose opponents collectively achieved a high winning percentage in the previous year would be considered to have a difficult road ahead.
Understanding the relative difficulty of each teams schedule provides valuable context for evaluating their potential performance. It assists in forecasting team success, identifying potential overachievers or underachievers, and informing strategic decisions related to player acquisitions and game planning. This type of analysis has become increasingly prevalent in football discourse and sports analytics.
