The final piece of the NFL offseason puzzle fell into place Thursday with the release of the 2026 schedule, and the Saints are smiling brighter than ever before.
The Saints have drawn the easiest schedule in the league for the upcoming season, according to two different methods used by the NFL to evaluate strength of schedule. They’re joined by the Green Bay Packers, who take the third spot in the rankings. At the opposite end of the spectrum lies the Miami Dolphins, who face a daunting slate that makes them the toughest team in the league.
A Strength of Schedule Conundrum
The NFL uses two methods to calculate a team’s strength of schedule: the “actual opponents’ winning percentage” method, and the “average opponents’ winning percentage” method. Both of these metrics paint the Saints in a positive light, as they face a total of 24 teams that finished with a winning record last season, including a trip to Dallas to face the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
The Saints’ opponents averaged a winning percentage of .522 on the regular season, which ranked 31st in the league. This is down from last season, when the Saints drew a .541 opponents’ winning percentage, which ranked 14th. It’s worth noting that strength of schedule can have a massive impact on a team’s performance, particularly in fantasy football. However, the Saints are looking to make a strong push in the playoffs after missing out last season, and their schedule may give them just the boost they need.
The Toughest Schedule in the League
The Dolphins, on the other hand, have the toughest schedule in the league based on both metrics. They’ll face a total of 26 teams that finished with a winning record, including back-to-back matchups against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the AFC West-leading Los Angeles Chargers.
The Dolphins’ opponents averaged a winning percentage of .548 on the regular season, which ranked 1st in the league. They’ll also host the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers and the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys. With so many tough matchups on their slate, the Dolphins will be put to the test from the very opening whistle.
A Look Ahead
The release of the 2026 schedule marks the final chapter in the NFL offseason. Now, teams will focus on preparing for the regular season, which kicks off on September 8th. The Saints will look to take advantage of their favorable schedule, while the Dolphins will try to navigate the many challenges that lie ahead.
The 2026 season promises to be an exciting one, with a number of teams vying for a Super Bowl title. Will the Saints be able to take advantage of their schedule and make a deep playoff run? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: this season is going to be a wild ride.
