The NFL season is in full swing, and with each passing week, we get a clearer picture of which teams are the real contenders. While some teams have exceeded expectations, others have fallen short. But one thing that remains constant is the unpredictability of the league. And this week, the EssentiallySports Next 5 NFL Schedule Index has seen some crazy swings, with two teams in the AFC North making the most dramatic moves.
Heading into Week 4, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens have seen significant changes in their strength of schedule rankings. Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers’ impressive performance on the field in Week 3 has catapulted them up the index, while the Ravens’ struggles have caused them to drop down. So, let’s take a closer look at the Next 5 Index and see which teams have the toughest road ahead.
First up, the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a slow start to the season, the Steelers bounced back in a big way in Week 3, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 24-10. Rodgers was in top form, throwing for 243 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense held the Bengals to just 10 points. This impressive win has not only given the Steelers a 2-1 record, but it has also boosted their strength of schedule ranking.
Heading into Week 4, the Steelers have the 12th toughest schedule in the league, with an average opponent winning percentage of .521. But looking ahead to their next five games, things are about to get much tougher for the Steelers. They will face the Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Chicago Bears. All of these teams are currently above .500, making it one of the toughest five-game stretches for any team in the league.
But the Steelers have shown that they are up for the challenge. With Rodgers leading the way and a strong defense, they have the potential to come out on top in these tough matchups. And if they can continue to perform at a high level, they could make a significant move up the Next 5 Index in the coming weeks.
On the other hand, the Baltimore Ravens have had a rough start to the season. After an impressive Week 1 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, they have dropped their last two games, including a devastating loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 3. This has caused them to drop down the Next 5 Index, with the 14th toughest schedule in the league.
Looking ahead, the Ravens will face the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Minnesota Vikings in their next five games. While these may not seem like the toughest opponents, all of these teams have shown flashes of potential this season. And with the Ravens struggling to find consistency, these matchups could prove to be challenging.
But the Ravens have a strong team led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, and they have shown in the past that they can bounce back from tough losses. So, while they may have dropped down the Next 5 Index, they still have the potential to turn things around and climb back up the rankings.
In conclusion, the Next 5 Index has seen some significant changes heading into Week 4, with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens making the most dramatic moves. Both teams face tough matchups in their next five games, but they have the talent and potential to come out on top. It will be interesting to see how these teams perform in the coming weeks and how it will affect their rankings in the Next 5 Index. So, buckle up and get ready for some exciting football ahead!
