The NFL Schedule Revealed

The NFL releases its regular season schedule every spring, usually in May. The league tries to balance the interests of all 32 teams in a way that allows each team to play at least one home game against the other 30 and a maximum of five games in each of the five time slots. It also has to work around events taking place in or near the stadiums, such as concerts or other sports that could cause logistical issues or stress the playing surface. The NFL starts collecting information about events that might create scheduling conflicts in January and makes adjustments throughout the season.

The NFL uses a formula to determine each team’s opponents, and a rotating schedule ensures that all 31 teams play each other at least once over a four-year period. But even with that, a few teams will have a much harder schedule than others. The New York Giants have the fourth-hardest schedule in 2022, for example, with four of their first six games on the road and two trips out west. And the defending Super Bowl champions, Kansas City, have to face three of their playoff rivals from last year plus the Eagles and Bengals in Week 15.

Graziano: New York Giants. They have to travel a lot early in the season, including to Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle. And they have a tough first-half schedule with the Bills and Dolphins, all teams who made the playoffs last year. The Giants have a strong roster, so they could still make the playoffs. But it’s going to be a challenge to get there.

Bowen: San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles, Week 13. It’ll probably be the most physical game we watch all season. And it features the top two teams from the NFC. There will be some serious playoff implications here, too.

Moody: Atlanta Falcons. The team’s young talent is really starting to blossom. And they have an easier schedule than last year’s NFC South squads. That’s a good sign that they’re moving in the right direction, but it won’t be easy for them to make the playoffs.

This season, the NFL added a Thursday night game in addition to the usual Sunday and Monday evening contests. It’s a chance for the league to showcase some of its marquee matchups earlier in the week and increase exposure for its brands, particularly its streaming services. It’s a strategy that could pay off next year, as the NFL considers adding more such flex games to its slate.