The Seahawks have been assigned the fifth-toughest schedule in the NFL next season, highlighted by a CenturyLink Field rematch with the Super Bowl runner-up Carolina Panthers (15-1) and road games at New England (12-4) and Green Bay (10-6), both of which reached the divisional round of the playoffs last year.
Strength of schedule is based on the combined records of 2015 opponents. Seattle’s opponents went 139-117, tied for fifth with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NFC West foe San Francisco and the Atlanta Falcons tied for the toughest 2016 schedules, their combined opponents both finishing 142-114 last year. They are followed by the Los Angeles Rams (141-115) and New Orleans Saints (140-116). The Packers have the softest schedule. Their 2015 foes finished 117-139.
Seattle plays home games against the 49ers, Cardinals, Rams, Falcons, Panthers, Eagles, Bills and Dolphins. The Seahawks have road games scheduled at San Francisco, Los Angeles, Arizona, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, New England and the New York Jets.
The NFL has not announced dates or kickoff times for its 2016 regular-season games.
The Seahawks play four teams that reached the 2015 postseason (Cardinals, Panthers, Packers and Patriots) and five teams that won 10 or more games (Jets went 10-6).
Last year, the Seahawks played the fourth-toughest schedule en route to a 10-6 record and eventual elimination by the Panthers.
Home opponents
| Home Opponents | ’15 Rec. | Division | Last Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 5-11-0 | NFC West | Lost to Seattle 29-13 at CenturyLink |
| Los Angeles | 7-9-0 | NFC West | Beat Seattle 27-13 at CenturyLink |
| Arizona | 13-3-0 | NFC West | Beat Seattle 39-32 at CenturyLink |
| Atlanta | 8-8-0 | NFC South | Started 6-1, faded, missed playoffs |
| Carolina | 15-1-0 | NFC South | Beat Seahawks twice, lost Super Bowl |
| Philadelphia | 7-9-0 | NFC East | 2nd in division, missed postseason |
| Buffalo | 8-8-0 | NFC East | 3rd in division, missed postseason |
| Miami | 6-10-0 | NFC East | 4th in division, missed postseason |
Road opponents
| Road Opponents | ’15 Rec. | Division | Skinny |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | 5-11-0 | NFC West | Lost to Seattle 20-3 in Santa Clara |
| Los Angeles | 7-9-0 | NFC West | Beat Seattle 34-31 in St. Louis |
| Arizona | 13-3-0 | NFC West | Lost to Seattle 36-6 in Glendale, AZ. |
| New Orleans | 7-9-0 | NFC South | 3rd in division, missed playoffs |
| Tampa Bay | 6-10-0 | NFC South | 4th in division, missed postseason |
| Green Bay | 10-6-0 | NFC North | Beat Seattle 27-17, lost division playoffs |
| New England | 12-4-0 | AFC East | Won division, eliminated in AFC Championship |
5 Comments
That Patriots game has got to be on national TV. Brady-Sherman rubber match.
Missing the Jets in the away grid.
Why the Pack at Lambeau two years in a row? That’s just crazy.
Probably the league formula. Second place in the North hosts second place in the West in even years, the reverse in odd years.
Buffalo and Miami are AFC East.
Home record of 6-2 looks like an easy expectation, with 7 or 8 wins a good possibility.