2012 NFL Schedule: New York Giants and Teams with Brutal Regular-Season Slates

The official 2012 NFL schedule won't be released until April 17, but we can already tell which teams have the toughest roads to the postseason.

Although the dates and order are unknown, every regular-season matchup has been announced. And boy, it doesn't look good for the following teams.

New York Giants

The league offices didn't do the defending champs any favors. With an opponents' 2011 win percentage of .547, the Giants technically have the toughest schedule in the NFL.

Outside of their usual games against Dallas, Washington and Philadelphia, the Giants will also entertain the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers at home.

On the road, things get even tougher for the G-Men, as they will travel to take on 2011 playoff teams Baltimore, Atlanta, San Francisco and Cincinnati.

They've also got a date with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, plus meetings with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns. 2012 could be rough for Eli Manning and Co.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos reeled in Peyton Manning, but it won't be all sunshine and lollipops this season.

Denver welcomes some daunting opponents to Mile High, including the Saints, Steelers, and Texans. They will also host conference foes Kansas City, San Diego and Oakland, as well as the dangerous Bucs and Browns.

As scary as their home schedule is, though, their road slate is much worse. In 2012, the Broncos will travel to Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England, Atlanta and Carolina, in addition to their AFC West rivals.

I expect the Broncos to make the playoffs this season, but it definitely won't be easy.

Cleveland Browns

The poor Browns finished just 4-12 in 2011, but they received no pity from the schedule makers. Cleveland's 2012 opponents combined to finish 135-121 last year.

They're the odd man out in a brutal AFC North, which also features the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers, all of whom were playoff teams last season.

Outside of their division, the Browns will host the Chiefs, Chargers, Bills, Eagles and Redskins. And on the road, they will take on the Broncos, Raiders, Colts, Cowboys and Giants.

Given their schedule, I'd be very surprised if the Browns surpass last year's win total.