That’s why our lists of the top-five hardest and easiest schedules are based on more than winning percentage. Sometimes it’s not just who you play, but where and when. ";
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NFC East fans might disagree, but the AFC South looks like the toughest division in football. The Colts win 12 games every year, the Titans always play tough under Jeff Fisher and the Texans are ready to emerge.
The Jaguars have to survive their own division and a schedule starting in November that includes four road games in six weeks. Their reward after that gauntlet? Games against the Packers and Colts with only three days off in between to prepare for Peyton.";
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It doesn’t matter what the numbers say or how the NFC South shapes up. The Saints have seven home games and the rest of the league has eight. Sean Payton’s European vacation is part of a six-week stretch in between home games. Thanks for your unbelievable support Saints fans!";
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The entire NFC North drew the short stick. The Packers, Lions and Bears also play out of division games the AFC South (three defending playoff teams) and the NFC East (three more). Start warming the Brad Childress hot seat because the natives are going to be restless after a brutal five-game opening stretch that includes the Packers, Colts and back-to-back road games in Tennessee and New Orleans. ";
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The NFL is topsy-turvy, but the Patriots, Colts and Chargers have established themselves as perennial powers. The Steelers get the Big Three in a four-week stretch in November, with Terrell Owens and the Cowboys serving popcorn for dessert to start December. ";
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Everyone’s favorite \"sleeper\" team could be headed for a fall. If raised expectations and five night games don’t slow the Cleveland bandwagon down, its out of division schedule could. Cleveland and the rest of the AFC North face the two best divisions in football (AFC South, NFC East).";
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The Karma police can’t be happy that the Patriots got a creampuff schedule one year after Spygate. But 14 of their 16 opponents were determined years in advance, and New England is getting lucky to catch both Western divisions in a down cycle. With an early slate that includes the Chiefs, Jets, Dolphins and 49ers, someone at the league office wanted New England’s regular season winning streak to continue.";
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See No. 1. If you are looking for a surprise playoff entrant to pick this year, Buffalo and a reloaded Jets team make fine picks. They each get Miami twice and a host of winnable of out division games against the weak Western divisions. ";
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San Diego is 46-18 in the regular season over the last four years and should have no problems reaching the playoffs again. Its division is a mess, with Kansas City and Oakland among the league’s very worst. Even Denver’s perpetually changing roster is catching up to them, with big roster holes at many positions.
Out of division, the Chargers should be able to handle average competition in the AFC East and NFC South. While off-season surgeries to Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers are a concern, the Bolts should continue to thrive.";
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The Panthers are set up to go on a serious mid-season run. After an average first three games, they get four home games in five weeks before a bye. Those game include back-to-back home games against the QB-needy Chiefs and Falcons. After the bye, they face the Raiders, Lions and Falcons again.
Many observers are predicting John Fox’s demise this season, but he could have them in playoff position with an improved quarterback situation and a favorable schedule.";
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This is partially a lifetime achievement award. Seattle’s out of division schedule is challenging, but all they have to do is win the worst division in football to get a home playoff game -- for the fifth straight year!
Each season, one of the Western teams is supposed to rise up as a playoff challenger. Yet since 2003, the Seahawks are the only NFC West team to even sport a single season with a winning record."; // END editorial data