1994 Lions

[SeahawkFever]

In my last thread I unveiled all opposing win percentages of every team’s schedule since 1920.

There is one team since the merger that managed to make the playoffs despite having the hardest schedule in the NFL by opposing win percentage in their season: The Detroit Lions in 1994.

That team had four pro bowlers according to Pro Football Reference in Barry Sanders, Herman Moore, Lomas Brown and Chris Spielman.

There are admittedly a few other post-merger teams such as the 2005 Chargers that went 9-7 despite being handed the toughest schedule, but the 94 Lions remain the lone post merger playoff team that was handed the hardest schedule in a season.

[readjack]

In my last thread I unveiled all opposing win percentages of every team’s schedule since 1920.

There is one team since the merger that managed to make the playoffs despite having the hardest schedule in the NFL by opposing win percentage in their season: The Detroit Lions in 1994.

That team had four pro bowlers according to Pro Football Reference in Barry Sanders, Herman Moore, Lomas Brown and Chris Spielman.

There are admittedly a few other post-merger teams such as the 2005 Chargers that went 9-7 despite being handed the toughest schedule, but the 94 Lions remain the lone post merger playoff team that was handed the hardest schedule in a season.

Interesting! That was one of two years in the 90s when four of five NFC Central teams made the playoffs: us, Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota. (1997 was the other year, where we missed and the Bucs made it.)

Those 90s Lions teams were always tough late in the season. They had a few years where they were middling in late October and closed out strong to make the playoffs. That's a really cool stat you found.

[philadelphia97]

The Packers knew what to do in the Wild Card round. Barry Sanders: 13 carries, -1 yard.

[SeahawkFever]

The Packers knew what to do in the Wild Card round. Barry Sanders: 13 carries, -1 yard.

Must’ve had a good run defense or defensive line then.