2012 NFL Schedule: Breaking Down the League's Easiest Schedules

There was a lot of confusion over exactly when the schedule for the 2012 NFL regular season was going to be released, but the schedule is here now and I'm assuming everyone has gotten a good look at it.

If you have gotten a good look at it, you've probably noticed that some teams are going to have it pretty easy this season. Even two of the best teams in the NFL managed to draw easy schedules.

Here's a look at four schedules that stand out as being particularly easy.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Opponents' 2011 Record: 124-132 (.484)

First things first, it should be noted that the Buccaneers play in one of the toughest divisions in football. Their six NFC South matchups are not to be taken lightly.

Some of their other matchups can be taken lightly. The Bucs get to host the Redskins (Week 4), Chargers (Week 10) and Rams (Week 16). They're also going to be able to use their bye week to prepare for a tough matchup against Kansas City in Week 6. 

On the road, the Bucs will play the Vikings (Week 8), Raiders (Week 9) and Broncos (Week 13). All three of those games are winnable. 

Keep in mind that the Buccaneers are not going to be helpless in 2012. They made some key moves this offseason, including signing Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks. In addition, they promise to score a very good player with the No. 5 overall pick in the draft.

And of course, they have a new head coach in Greg Schiano.

Don't be surprised if the Bucs win close to 10 games in 2012.

Buffalo Bills

Opponents' 2011 Record: 121-135 (.473)

The Bills made a clear anti-Tom Brady move this offseason when they went out and signed star defensive end Mario Williams.

Buffalo's two games against New England (Week 4 and Week 10) will be tough even with Williams, make no mistake about that. But the rest of their schedule? It's not so bad.

The Bills drew some pretty favorable home games. In addition to hosting two beatable AFC East teams in the Dolphins (Week 11) and Jets (Week 17) in the latter half of the season, the Bills will host the Jaguars, Rams and Seahawks in consecutive games in Weeks 13-15.

On the road, the Bills will have a shot to score wins in Cleveland (Week 3), Arizona (Week 6) and Indianapolis (Week 12). 

The Bills have some tough games on their schedule, to be sure, but in all they only play five teams that won as many as nine games last season. Given the way their schedule is arranged, they'll have a shot to start and finish hot.

Houston Texans 

Opponents' 2011 Record: 121-135 (.473)

The Texans went 4-2 against the AFC South last season, and the only two games they lost came after Matt Schaub was long gone. Had he stayed healthy, the Texans likely would have run the table in their division.

Look for the Texans to run the table in the AFC South in 2012. They have six games lined up against the Colts, Jaguars and Titans, and the Texans should win all of them.

As if that wasn't enough, the Titans also get to host the Dolphins (Week 1), Bills (Week 9) and Vikings (Week 16), and they have roadies lined up at the Broncos (Week 3) and at the New York Jets (Week 5).

I'll be shocked if the Texans fail to win 10 games in 2012. Given their schedule, they have every excuse to win 12 or more.

The teams standing in their way are the Packers (Week 6), Ravens (Week 7), Bears (Week 10), Lions (Week 12) and Patriots (Week 14). As long as the Texans don't lose all five of those games—and they won't—they'll be fine.

New England Patriots

Opponents' 2011 Record: 116-140 (.453)

The Patriots went to the Super Bowl this past season, and they'll have a very easy road back to the postseason in 2012.

The Patriots could easily go undefeated in their six division matchups in 2012. Beyond those, they also get to host the Cardinals (Week 2), Broncos (Week 5) and Colts (Week 11), three games that they should win. On the road, the Pats get to visit Tennessee (Week 1), Seattle (Week 6), St. Louis (Week 8) and Jacksonville (Week 16), four more games that they should win.

The Pats do have some tough ones lined up. Their tilt against the Texans in New England in Week 14 should be a lot of fun, as should their tilt against the 49ers in Week 15. They'll also be visiting a Ravens team in Week 3 that will be wanting revenge from the AFC Championship Game.

Still, that's only three games. The other 13 are all winnable.