Thread: One thing seems certain: The easiest half is over

November 12, 2010
BY SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com

Last year's defending NFC North and NFC East champions (Minnesota and Dallas) have won a combined four games, and Oakland actually is one game above .500 (5-4).


But with 29 teams having played eight games, there's a more telling way to determine which teams actually have had challenging schedules so far.

STATS LLC provided a closer look, and the Bears' 5-3 record isn't impressive, considering their opponents posted a 24-41 record for a league-worst .369 win percentage. The 0-8 Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, had the league's toughest start with opponents going 42-23 (.646). In the NFC North, Detroit had the third-hardest schedule with opponents going 39-26 (.600).


But over the final half of the season, the Bears have the league's eighth-toughest schedule (.538 opponents' win percentage) and the most challenging in the NFC North. They are immediately followed by the Packers (.536). The Vikings are tied for 12th (.508), and the Lions are tied for 26th (.462).


SOURCE: STATS LLC

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/footb...bsep12.article


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