Seattle Seahawks: Considering the Importance of Strength of Schedule
By Paul Taylor
The Seattle Seahawks will have one of the easiest paths to the playoffs in 2017 based on strength of schedule, but how much does this really matter?
As we wrote on Monday, the Seattle Seahawks have opened as joint-third favorites to win Super Bowl 52. Understandably, opinion is split on how much stock to put into this, especially given the fact this past season only ended on Sunday.
Along the same lines, you have to wonder about the significance of strength of schedule, when looking at a team’s chances for next season? Regardless, let’s consider it – from a Seahawks’ perspective of course.
As per an article from Craig Peters of vikings.com, Seattle has the seventh-easiest schedule in 2017. This is based on their opponents combined record of 115-138-3 in 2016, giving an overall winning percentage of .455.
No doubt this leads to a favorable initial reaction by Seahawks fans everywhere, hoping to see their team challenge for their second Super Bowl trophy. They will only face five games versus playoff teams and six against opponents who won nine+ games.
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From perusing the schedule, it does seem like it is one of the easier ones in the league, with the biggest challenge at home coming against the Atlanta Falcons. However, it is worth pointing out their away schedule is more difficult, with trips to face the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
Regardless, you still have to wonder how much we should pay attention to strength of schedule, given the amount of changes which occur from season to season. In that respect, lets consider the Seahawks’ 2016 schedule.
Entering last season, again based on the previous season’s results, the Hawks were tied for the fifth-hardest schedule in the NFL, at .543 percent. However, by the end of the campaign, their opponents had a combined winning percentage of just .411.
This difference was best summed up by the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals, who recorded respective records of 15-1 and 13-3 in 2015. However, last season, their win-loss totals dropped to 6-10 and 7-8-1 respectively.
Overall, this really does show how much circumstances can change from season to season — and if we’re honest, from month to month and week to week — making you realize how little to pay attention to strength of schedule. Regardless, the Seahawks still appear to be in a favorable position, and with the likes of Earl Thomas and Tyler Lockett expected to be healthy again, it’s up to them to take advantage.
Next: Seahawks Joint-3rd Favorites for Super Bowl 52
What’s your take on strength of schedule? Do you pay much attention to it? Regardless, based on the Seahawks’ opponents for 2017, what kind of season are you predicting for them? Share your thoughts in the comments section.