Strength of schedule, !6-0 gets you the cream puff
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3347716
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The Patriots have the easiest schedule then?

It helps to play the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins twice a year.

A team's record from the previous year only affects two games on the schedule since the last realignment. It really has little influence any more.

Yes, based on their opponent's won/loss record of the year before, which sometimes can change dramatically. You only know who truly had the weakest schedule AFTER the actual season in question.

Keep in mind:

1. Pats schedule is identical to rest of AFC East with exception of 2 games.

2. Pats play at least 8 games against opponents they also played in the regular season last year, and beat last year, which deflates their record accordingly (6 AFC East games, plus SD and Indy).

3. NFC West games are a result of the regular rotation system that the NFL employs.

4. Indeed, ENTIRE schedule is based on the rotation/slotting method employed by the NFL. Not one game here is a result of the NFL "deciding" to give us an easy schedule. NFL decides NOTHING except WHEN games are played. The actual opponent is pre-determiend.

Further to my last -- go here if you want to see 14 of the Chiefs 16 opponents in 2009 (NEXT YEAR)!!

http://www.kcchiefs.com/future/

Patriots play the Dolphins, Jets, and Bills twice, the Chiefs, Raiders, and Donks, Rams, and 49ers. All prescheduled games.

Look at the 4 AFC West teams. We really shouldn't say much about strength of schedules.

I think they deserve a cream puff schedule considering they blew the biggest game and season of their lives

Plus that Pats can't play against themselves...

ROFL

Hmmm... AFC North and South followed by the NFC North, NFC East, NFC West, NFC South, AFC East, and AFC West. Since only two games are determined by record, that's a lot of effort to say "the divisions with the best teams last year have the toughest schedule based on last year's results". It's downright obvious. ;)

throw in the jets and dolphins and they should go undefeated again this year

It would be hilarious if they went undefeated until the Super Bowl again... and then choked once more.

How nice of the NFL to schedule the Patriots vs Temple towards the middle of Dec. That'll add to their tough schedule.