2016 NFL strength of schedule: Raiders not among easiest, but their easiest in years

A couple of years ago, the Raiders' strength of schedule was the toughest in the league. Last year, their schedule wasn't the toughest, but it wasn't far off at 5th. This year, they get neither a favor from the NFL schedule rotation nor a slap to the face. This year they land right near the middle of the pack.

Here is the entire strength list of strength of schedule:

T-1. San Francisco 49ers: 142-114, .555

T-1. Atlanta Falcons: 142-114, .555

3. Los Angeles Rams: 141-115, .551

4. New Orleans Saints: 140-116, .547

T-5. Seattle Seahawks: 139-117, .543

T-5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 139-117, .543

T-7. Arizona Cardinals: 136-120, .531

T-7. New York Jets: 136-120, .531

9. New England Patriots: 134-122, .523

10. Buffalo Bills: 133-123, .520

11. Miami Dolphins: 132-124, .516

12. Carolina Panthers: 131-125, .512

13. San Diego Chargers: 130-126, .508

14. Denver Broncos: 129-127, .504

15. Oakland Raiders: 128-128, .500

16. Kansas City Chiefs: 127-129, .496

17. Washington Redskins: 126-130, .492

18. Minnesota Vikings: 125-131, .488

T-19. Houston Texans: 124-132, .484

T-19. Baltimore Ravens: 124-132, .484

21. Cleveland Browns: 123-133, .480

22. Indianapolis Colts: 122-134, .477

T-23. Pittsburgh Steelers: 121-135, .473

T-23. Tennessee Titans: 121-135, .473

T-23. Jacksonville Jaguars: 121-135, .473

26. Philadelphia Eagles: 120-136, .469

T-27. Cincinnati Bengals: 119-137, .465

T-27. Detroit Lions: 119-137, .465

T-27. Dallas Cowboys: 119-137, .465

T-30. Chicago Bears: 118-138, .461

T-30. New York Giants: 118-138, .461

32. Green Bay Packers: 117-139, .457

As you can see, the Raiders opponents finished at an even .500 in 2015, landing the Raiders at 15th in strength of schedule.

The last time the Raiders' strength of schedule was that easy was 2013 when they landed at 29th with a .469 opponent win percentage. And with the Raiders finishing 7-9 last season despite one of the tougher schedules, having a middle-of-the-road schedule could help them to have a good chance at making a playoff run.

Despite a common feeling that there is a group of NFL folks who decides who each team will play each season -- and they "screw" certain teams for whatever reason -- the entire schedule is automatic (sorry, conspiracy theorists).

This season they play 6 games against the AFC West, 4 against the AFC South, 4 against the NFC South, and two against those teams in the AFC East and AFC North which finished in the same spot (third) in their respective divisions (Bills, Ravens).

Though, they DO play a 'home' game in Mexico City this year.

To see the Raiders schedule home and away, click here.

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