Lions top ESPN.com adjusted strength of schedule list

An interesting chart on ESPN.com offers a look at just how difficult the Lions’ schedule was this season.

ESPN.com took a look at the adjusted strength of schedule, which removes each team’s head-to-head result from the combined winning percentage of its opponents.

Lions opponents were 12-4 against them this season, raising those teams’ combined winning percentage. When ESPN subtracted those 16 Lions games from the total equation, opponents finished with a .554 win percentage (144-110-2), which is the highest total in the NFL.

The Cardinals were second with their opponents having a .550 win percentage.

As the chart confirms, the Lions did indeed have the NFL’s toughest schedule in 2012.

It’s certainly no excuse, however, to end 4-12 on the heels of a 10-win season and a playoff berth.