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Danny O'Neil covers the Seahawks for The Seattle Times.

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December 31, 2008 3:37 PM

Strength of schedule

Seattle's 2009 schedule will include four opponents who will be coming off of playoff appearances. The Seahawks will play at home against the team with the best record in the AFC (that would be the Titans) and they'll also have a game against the worst team in the NFL, the Detroit L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-ions (one L for all 16 losses).

The opponent's winning percentage for next season's schedule is .457 (117-139). That is the exact same opponent's winning percentage heading into the 2005 and 2006 seasons. In both instances, Seattle's schedule turned out to be easier than expected.

Here's a look at the opponent's winning percentage heading into the past four seasons contrasted against the actual opponent's winning percentage after the season:

Year	Opponent's winning percentage based on previous season	Opponent's actual winning percentage for the season

2009	.457 (117-139)	???

2008	.477 (122-134)	.496 (127-128)

2007	.488 (125-131)	.414 (106-150)

2006	.457 (117-139)	.453 (116-140)

2005	.457 (117-139)	.430 (110-146)

So what does all that mean? Well, it means the Seahawks play in recently poor division because their opponent's winning percentage is always below .500. It also means that next season's schedule doesn't line up to be significantly more difficult than any of the previous four seasons and in fact could be easier given the fact the only game that will be played in the Eastern time zone is at Indianapolis.

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Comments

If you subtract the NFC West and the Lions, their opponents are 81-63 for the other 9 games. Posted on January 1, 2009 at 6:38 PM by Brett in Bonney Lake. Jump to comment

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