NFL's toughest early-season schedules

The Texans, Redskins and Broncos face difficult schedules during the crucial first four weeks, writes Neil Greenberg in The Washington Post, using TruMedia’s research platform and EPA model:

“Houston’s schedule begins with a Thursday night matchup at the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, who are early 10-point favorites. … The Texans’ home opener comes in Week 2 against reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, who are five-point favorites. Houston then travels to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers, who are also five-point favorites. After that, the Texans host the Minnesota Vikings, whom they have never defeated in four meetings. That game is listed as a pick ’em.

Last season, the Chiefs scored almost eight points per game more than expected after taking into account the down, distance and field position of each play, the fifth-best rate in the NFL, per TruMedia. The Ravens scored a league-leading 15 points per game more than expected. The Vikings were sixth (seven more points per game), and the Steelers ranked 17th despite using two backup quarterbacks after Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending injury in the second game.”

Full article: The Washington Post