Which NFL team has the toughest remaining schedule?

The NFL season is now at Week 9 and the standings are starting to take shape across the league. The Baltimore Ravens began their long-predicted comeback on Thursday night, but not everyone will be moving in the same direction.

The Ravens have had a pretty tough start to the season and now have an easier run coming. Other teams have a much more difficult path coming up, as outlined by a schedule strength analysis done by CBS Sports.

Which team has the most difficult schedule in the NFL?

We can compare the relative strength of teams’ schedules by comparing the current record of each of their opponents. If the average record of the remaining schedule is higher than .500 then they will be playing teams who broadly win more than they lose.

By that metric, the Houston Texans have the most difficult schedule in the entire NFL. The combined record of their remaining opponents is .579, with seven of their remaining ten games coming against teams with a record of .500 or higher. That tough run begins this weekend when the Texans take on the 6-2 Broncos.

Behind the Texans are the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Commanders, who each have a schedule with a combined record of .558. For the Chiefs (5-3) a lot of that pain comes in November, when they have road games against the Bills, Broncos and Cowboys, along with a home game against the Colts. The Commanders have a similar schedule but they have only won three of their opening eight games, leaving them with a lot of work to do to get back into postseason contention.

Rounding out the top five are the Minnesota Vikings with a schedule strength of .555 and the Indianapolis Colts with a schedule strength of .554. The Colts’ position is helped by the fact that their 7-1 record through the first eight games is the best in the entire NFL.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.