Teams with winning records in the NFL get a tougher schedule in their next season. It’s all about an attempt at parity. So you may have noticed that every year there are some different teams that break into the top. Losing teams get higher draft picks then play weaker schedules. That sets many up for success in their next season. The Cleveland Browns being an exception.
And teams like the Saints, coming off an 11-5 season in 2017, get to see what they’re made of. Are the Saints really an 11-5 team or was it the schedule? They certainly improved over the course of last year.