The Oakland Raiders had a brutal schedule in 2017, and the end result was a 6-10 record which, at least partially, cost head coach Jack Del Rio and the bulk of the coaching staff their jobs. While the addition of Jon Gruden almost seemed likely to happen regardless of how last season went, there's some good news for the new head coach and the 2018 Raiders.

As ESPN's Paul Gutierrez reports, the Raiders currently sit with the third-easiest strength of schedule for next season, based on opponents' combined winning percentages from last year.

A year after entering the season with the fourth-hardest strength of schedule, Jon Gruden's Raiders will have the third-easiest SOS in 2018...at least, based on opponents and their combined winning percentage from 2017, per ESPN... https://t.co/4TChtQv07S pic.twitter.com/uysNSpgZoA — Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) February 12, 2018

As you can see, the only two teams with easier schedules in 2018 are the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. Interestingly, the entire AFC West finds themselves in the top half of the NFL as well. The Denver Broncos have the sixth-easiest strength of schedule, Los Angeles Chargers are ninth and the Kansas City Chiefs are 13th.

We could potentially see a major battle for the top of the division next year, and if the strength of schedule numbers prove to be true, then the division could possibly wind up with two playoff teams as well.

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