2011 NFL Schedule: Predicting Records for Green Bay Packers and the Best 4 Teams

The Green Bay Packers, led by top-notch play from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, were able to take home the Super Bowl last season. Could this season's schedule be a more difficult mountain to climb for these reigning champions?

Now that the NFL Lockout is in the books, teams have to re-group and get into football mode as quickly as they have had to in league history.

With the NFL schedule out and readily available, it is inevitable that there are some winners and losers as far as matchups are concerned for next season.

Here are the records the Green Bay Packers and each of the four best teams in the NFL will end up with at the end of the regular season.

No. 4: Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 13-3

Losses:

Week 1 @ Baltimore Ravens

Week 3 @ Indianapolis Colts

Week 8 vs. New England Patriots

Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers will look to have a walk in the park this season, boasting a favorable schedule.

With the exception of playing the Baltimore Ravens twice, Peyton Manning and the Indianapolos Colts once, and a Week 8 matchup against the New England Patriots, the Steelers face relatively poor competition.

Some games to watch out for will be those against the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. It is still as big a question as any as to whether or not Kevin Kolb has what it takes to be a big-time starter in the league. Nevertheless, the Cardinals are hoping he can help them get to the postseason this year. The Texans are as talented a team as any on both sides of the football, as they could easily give the Steelers a run for their money in Week 4 at Houston.

Playing a talented team like the Ravens twice, it would seem as if Joe Flacco and company could pull out a win at home against the Steelers. Manning at home is always dangerous and playing the New England Patriots in Week 8 will be a tough a game as any, as Brady and his upgraded receiving core will challenge the secondary of Pittsburgh.

No. 3: New England Patriots

Record: 13-3

Losses:

Week 5 vs. New York Jets

Week 12 @ Philadelphia Eagles

Week 16 vs. Miami Dolphins

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots headed into the postseason as arguably the best team in the league. Yet when it came playoff time, the New York Jets had an answer for this Patriots team.

This season, the team has a relatively difficult schedule, playing a lot of teams that have performed poorly yet have the talent to begin winning football games at a more consistent rate (Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys).

The Patriots will likely split games with the Jets, lose at Philadelphia to an Eagles team that boasts arguably the best secondary in football and lose against Miami at the end of a season to a team that will likely be fighting to get in as a Wild Card in the AFC.

No. 2: The New York Jets

Record: 12-4

Losses:

Week 4 @ Baltimore Ravens

Week 7 vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 10 vs. New England Patriots

Week 16 vs. New York Giants

The New York Jets are arguably the best team in the AFC, as they were able to overcome the Patriots in last year's NFL playoffs.

With Darrelle Revis leading argaubly the best defense in the NFL and a solid, consistent offense, this team is as scary as any in the league.

Playing on the road at Baltimore in Week 4 could potentially be a win, yet the Ravens should ultimately get the best of them with a stronger offense and solid defense. The Jets are also efficient on the road, as they finished 6-2 last season away from home, as three of the above predicted losses come at home.

No. 1: Green Bay Packers

Record: 13-3

Losses:

Week 3 @ Chicago Bears

Week 5 @ Atlanta Falcons

Week 9 @ San Diego Chargers

The Green Bay Packers are the reigning Super Bowl champions in the NFL, as they are the No. 1 team in the league without question. This is also a team with one of the easier schedules next season.

The Packers are a team that struggles mightily on the road, as they lost a whopping five games last season away from Green Bay. The team went just 3-5 on the road.

There will be evident improvement in their efficiency away from home, yet the Pack will still see their fair share of troubles. The team will likely split the two games with a tough division opponent in the Chicago Bears, lose to Matt Ryan and the surging Atlanta Falcons and take a loss at the San Diego Chargers in Week 9.

Although this team went 10-6 last season, there is no question these Packers are arguably the best team in football. The team had six starters that were injured for the entire season, and lost all six games by four points or less. Not to mention, two losses came in overtime and two others came to strong teams in the Falcons and Patriots.

Luis Batlle is a Featured Columnist with Bleacher Report and specializes in NBA (Boston Celtics), NFL and International Soccer.

Follow Luis Batlle on Twitter