2012 NFL Schedule: Teams with Toughest Roads to the Playoffs

Sometimes making the NFL playoffs is more about strength of schedule than anything else.

OK, so having Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees to throw the ball certainly doesn't hurt, but getting a cupcake on the schedule instead of a Super Bowl preview can often make the difference between making the playoffs and going on vacation.

With that being said, here's a quick look at what teams won't be so lucky to benefit in 2012 from a soft schedule. For a look at the complete NFL schedule, click here.

New York Giants

Let's just call this a (mean) gift for winning the Super Bowl. The Giants' opponents have a combined 2011 record of 140-116, which means, on average, they are basically playing a 9-7 team every week. 

The NFC East was all kinds of inconsistent last year and that can certainly benefit the G-Men again, but they are getting no breaks outside the division.

At home, New York has to face the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers. On the road, things don't get any easier as they match up with the Atlanta Falcons, an improving Carolina Panthers team, the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.

Yikes. That's seven legitimate Super Bowl contenders out of their 10 non-division games. 

Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning may be heading to Denver, but he's going to see what life is like as a Cleveland Brown.

During what appears to be an AFC North road trip, Manning and the Broncos have to host the Pittsburgh Steelers and travel to Cincinnati and Baltimore. The legendary QB is going to have be, well, legendary, if he is going to lead Denver past those defenses.

Throw in matchups with the Texans, Saints, Patriots and Falcons, and a return trip to the playoffs doesn't look promising for Denver.

Cleveland Browns

Speaking of being a Brown, it's going to be another rough year for Cleveland fans. Not only do they have to suffer through six games in the AFC North, but they also get the gift of facing the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys on the road. 

Don't think, however, this means it will be all agony and defeat this year for the Browns.

Just mostly.

Out of division, they are lucky enough to get some winnable, but not easy, games at home and they get the Colts and Raiders on the road. 

Four-12 season, here we come.