2012 NFL Schedule: A Few AFC North Notes Before Tonight's Official Release

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy put together a handy list of some things worth gnawing on brain-wise about this evening's NFL official schedule release.

Here are a few of the more interesting nuggets culled from his report.

Prime Time Games for All

With the expansion of the Thursday night schedule, every team in the NFL is guaranteed at least one prime time appearance. Considering the strength of the division, at least the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens should have more than one.

One of those Bengals games is most likely going to be when the Oakland Raiders (and Carson Palmer) come to town, according to Reedy.

Out-of-Division Opponents

The AFC North will be taking on the AFC West and NFC East this season, meaning all four teams will face the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants and the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos.

Chances are good that the Steelers will travel to Denver in Week 1 for the first Sunday night game of the year.

With the teams taking on the Dallas Cowboys, expect at least one of those games to end up in prime time as well.

Strength of Schedule

The Bengals and Steelers are tied for the 14th-most difficult schedule in the league this year. Their opponents were 128-128 last season.

The Browns have the third-toughest schedule in the NFL, facing teams that were a combined 135-121, and the Ravens the fourth-toughest, with opponents who combined for a 134-122 record last year. 

Opponents (Not Including AFC North)

Baltimore Ravens

Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New England Patriots

Away: Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Houston Texans

Cincinnati Bengals

Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins

Away: Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars

Cleveland Browns

Home: Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills

Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers

Home: Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New York Jets

Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans

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