Buffalo Bills: The initial strength of schedule in 2018

The Buffalo Bills will enter the 2018 season with plenty of optimism, which will be increased by the rather easy schedule.

Playing the schedule game is an annual activity for NFL fans all across the country. The schedule isn’t out yet, but Buffalo Bills fans know who the team will be facing in 2018.

Knowing the opponents means the strength of schedule can be calculated, and that provides some initial optimism heading into the season.

An article from CBS Sports breaks down the strength of schedule for every team, based on opponent winning percentage from the 2017 season. Obviously, things change in the NFL from year to year. Teams go from worst to first and vice versa, but this provides an initial breakdown of the schedule.

The Bills will enter the 2018 season with the 18th easiest schedule, at least on paper.

The Jets, Texans, Bears, and Colts help lower the combined winning percentage, but the Bills are still set to take on some top competition next year, including both teams that made the AFC Championship Game.

The two annual games against the Patriots are where the Bills can really make the change from being an average team to being an elite one. One or two wins over the division rivals could get the Bills a home playoff game, which could make the ultimate difference.

For now, Bills fans are more focused on who the team will pursue in free agency and the NFL Draft, along with who the starting quarterback will be in 2018.

We can go back to playing the schedule game in the summer when the schedule is officially out and Bills fans are hopefully preparing to attend some primetime home games.

Next: Breaking down E.J. Gaines and his potential replacements

What do you think of the schedule? Is it as easy as the strength of schedule indicates?