2012 NFL Schedule: Elite Teams with Easiest Road to Playoffs

Sometimes, the rich get richer.

The NFL loves parity, but the 2012 NFL schedule has rewarded some of the best teams from the 2011 season. While perennial doormats like the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams are third and fourth in strength of schedule (SOS), here are three 2011 playoff teams that lucked out with their opponents in the new season.

(Click here for full SOS list)

29. Houston Texans (Opponents Record in 2011: 121-135, .473 win percentage)

The Texans reside in a weak division, possibly the worst in football. On top of that, they play another soft division in the AFC East, where, outside of the Patriots, every other team has large question marks surrounding their 2012 season.

What saves the Texans from the easiest schedule is four games against the NFC North, where three of the four teams are a playoff threat in the new season.

31. Green Bay Packers (Opponents Record in 2011: 120-136, .469 win percentage)

The Packers were almost perfect during the 2011 regular season, and now they have one of the easiest roads to perfection once again.

Aside from a tough divisional slate, they play potentially the worst division in football in the AFC South. While the NFC West is on the rise, they still are the weakest of the four divisions in the NFC.

Aaron Rodgers and Co. are in the driver’s seat to win the NFC North title once again.

32. New England Patriots (Opponents Record in 2011: 116-140, .453 win percentage)

The Pats are looking to forget the ending to their 2011 season quickly and should have no problem doing as much.

Aside from their typical divisional games in the AFC East, the Pats will be playing two of the weaker divisions in the AFC South and the NFC West (same as Green Bay).

In fact, only four teams (Texans, 49ers, Titans, Ravens) on the 2012 schedule finished with nine of more wins in 2011.

Can we already pencil them in for a first-round bye?

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