2011 schedule released: Bills face second toughest in league

[northernbillfan]

We know the schedules, for the most part, are set well in advance. The 2011 home and away schedule was released recently and the Bills face the second toughest schedule in the entire league.

Based on 2010 records, the Bills' upcoming opponents went a combine 137-119 for a .535 winning percentage, and only one other team has it worse, the Panthers. It doesn't help that Buffalo plays the Patsies and the Jests twice.

Looks like 2011 may be a rough ride for the team.

Linky (http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/24297/bills-jets-draw-grueling-2011-schedules)

[psubills62]

I'm not terribly concerned about it right now. After all, we're playing the AFC West next year, and their records this year were inflated from playing the NFC West. I'd be willing to bet that we end up having an easier schedule than 2nd hardest.

Just as an example of how things can change, based on 2009 records, our 2010 schedule looks fairly easy at 0.500 SOS (translates to 128-128 opponent records). We actually had 0.578 (IIRC) SOS, which translates to 148-108 opponent records.

Also, the more you win, the easier your schedule looks.

[X-Era]

We know the schedules, for the most part, are set well in advance. The 2011 home and away schedule was released recently and the Bills face the second toughest schedule in the entire league.

Based on 2010 records, the Bills' upcoming opponents went a combine 137-119 for a .535 winning percentage, and only one other team has it worse, the Panthers. It doesn't help that Buffalo plays the Patsies and the Jests twice.

Looks like 2011 may be a rough ride for the team.

Linky (http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/24297/bills-jets-draw-grueling-2011-schedules)If Nix and Gailey are true football men, they will understand that this is a war. You can't expect the NFL to help you, they won't. You must realize the huge task that's out there in front of you and be realistic about what type of team it will take to get to the playoffs despite it.

You can't expect to go much of anywhere with an average starter at QB, undrafted OL-men rotating into your line, backup vets starting at LB, and rookies starting on your DL. You better realize you need a long term answer with a bonafide franchise QB prospect at QB, serious and significant upgrades at LB and on the DL, and a rock solid starter at RT. If you want to start Wood at C and get a significant upgrade to who's left at RG, I wouldn't mind that either.

If the are real football guys, they can't assume they can have another off-season like the last one and improve upon their record.

You better get significantly better fast talent wise or you are in for another bad season. Which, in all actuality, Nix and Gailey may be expecting next year anyways. I'm not so sure that their plan isn't to be competitive in 2012 instead of 2011 anyways.

[TigerJ]

Hmm, tough schedule. . . why am I not surprised. Actually part of that comes from the fact that the Bills are playing four games against two very tough divisional opponents. The Patriots have about the best record in football, and the Jets are a wildcard team.If you want to make the playoffs and you're in the AFC East, you have to get better than at least one of them. Long term the Bills have to aim at being better than the Patriots. Maybe Bill Belichick is thinking of retiring.

[Ingtar33]

complaining about schedule is what losers do; newsflash. we want to win a superbowl we'll have to beat the best teams in the league.

if we're not focused on that we might as well turn in our fan cards.

[OpIv37]

how do the 1st and 4th worst teams in the league end up with the two toughest schedules?

The ****ing Seahawks get to host a playoff game at 7-9 and we don't even get a legit chance to be 7-9.

[TacklingDummy]

Looks like another rebuilding year.

Does Chan get fired after the Bills go 4-12 or worse next year?

[Mr. Pink]

Maybe in 2012 the Bills can request to play the Panthers 8 times and the Cardinals 8 times to make people happy!

The divisional foes alone add up to 64-32 for a .667 winning percentage. So the rest of their schedule is a combined 73-87 for a .456 winning percentage.

Oh yeah, Carolinas divisional foes alone add up to 68-28 for a .703 winning percentage. That might have something to do with them having the hardest schedule in football.

[Extremebillsfan247]

We know the schedules, for the most part, are set well in advance. The 2011 home and away schedule was released recently and the Bills face the second toughest schedule in the entire league.

Based on 2010 records, the Bills' upcoming opponents went a combine 137-119 for a .535 winning percentage, and only one other team has it worse, the Panthers. It doesn't help that Buffalo plays the Patsies and the Jests twice.

Looks like 2011 may be a rough ride for the team.

Linky (http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/24297/bills-jets-draw-grueling-2011-schedules) So we get the afc west this coming year? fantastic. That division is a cakewalk compared to the nfc east. We could easily beat 5 of the teams between both divisions. We have to do better against our own division. That will really be the difference between a good year and a bad one in my opinion.

[jamze132]

Its always harder for teams like the Panthers or Bills who consistently lose 9+ games a year. A team like the Patriots schedule looks a lot easier playing say the Bills and Dolphins who suck balls.

Strength of schedule IMO is blown out of proportion. If you don't suck, it doesn't look as bad.

[psubills62]

Having a difficult schedule is partially a product of losing so much. As FTY noted, the division opponents then get better records and makes our next schedule look exceedingly difficult.

Win more, and your schedule doesn't look as hard (e.g. look at NE's 15th-ranked schedule).

[Ickybaluky]

Having a difficult schedule is partially a product of losing so much. As FTY noted, the division opponents then get better records and makes our next schedule look exceedingly difficult.

Win more, and your schedule doesn't look as hard (e.g. look at NE's 15th-ranked schedule).

Basically, that is what it comes down to. The good teams can't play themselves.