Which 13 NFL Teams Are Benefiting Most from Soft 2012 Schedules?

Five weeks into the NFL 2012 regular season, it's not too early to determine which teams are benefiting the most from a soft schedule. 

While it was generally perceived that the NFC West was the worst division two years ago, it may be surprising to know that it has the best winning percentage (14-6) this season. 

It is followed by the NFC North (11-8), NFC East (10-9), AFC North and AFC South (both are 9-10), AFC East (9-11) and NFC South (8-11).

Bringing up the rear is the AFC West (7-12). That division was .500 in 2011, but based on early returns, that looks less likely for 2012. 

Here are the 13 teams that have faced opponents with a combined record below .500.

13. San Francisco 49ers

Opponents' Record: 11-13

The San Francisco 49ers defense was a superior unit in 2011. It was the offense, or lack of it, that prevented them from going to the Super Bowl last year. In 2012, the offense is performing at the same high level as the defense.

Last Sunday, the 49ers chewed up the Buffalo Bills for more than 600 yards, more than 300 passing and 300 rushing.

In 2012, San Francisco plays all the teams from the AFC East (9-11) and the NFC North (11-8). The 49ers have already played three of the four NFC North teams and only have Chicago left on the schedule. As for the AFC East, they still must play New England and Miami. The 49ers have yet to face any of their NFC West opponents.

Under-.500 Opponents So Far: Buffalo (2-3), New York Jets (2-3), Green Bay (2-3) and Detroit (1-3). The 4-1 49ers have only faced one team with a winning record, the 4-1 Minnesota Vikings, and they lost that game, 24-13.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Opponents' Record: 8-11  

By virtue of finishing in last place in the NFC South last year, Tampa Bay was supposed to have an easier schedule than the other teams in its division, and that has been the case so far this season.

But the Bucs haven't been able to take full advantage. After an opening-week win over Washington, they lost their next three games leading to a Week 5 bye.

Head coach Greg Schiano has a major challenge trying to make the Bucs believe they are capable of winning every week.

In 2012, the Bucs play the teams from the AFC West (7-12) and NFC East (10-9). We'll see if Tampa Bay can handle The AFC West offers up some beatable teams, so we will see if Tampa Bay can capitalize on that.

Under-.500 Opponents So Far: Washington (2-3), Carolina (1-4).

11. Chicago Bears

Opponents' Record: 10-13

With a 4-1 record and in a first-place tie in the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings, the Bears have been able to take advantage of their soft schedule.The only team the Bears have faced with a winning record is the St. Louis Rams, and they beat them.

In 2012, the Bears will be facing every team from the NFC West (14-6) and the AFC South (9-10). Their own division is tough, as the NFC North is a combined 11-8. And the Bears lost their only division game, falling to the Green Bay Packers.

Under-.500 Opponents So Far: Jacksonville (1-4), Green Bay (2-3)

10) Pittsburgh Steelers

Combined record of Steelers opponents in 2012 to date is 8-11. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers have survived all of their offseason issues and are sitting at .500 with a 2-2 record. The Steelers already had their Week 4 bye week, so they are faced with12 games in 12 weeks with no break in between.

In 2012, the Steelers will see every team from the NFC East (10-9) and the AFC West (7-12), which bodes well for the Steelers to reach the playoffs again this year. The AFC North is a combined 9-10 right now, so Pittsburgh looks to have a favorable schedule throughout.

The only opponent that Pittsburgh faced so far with a winning record was the Philadelphia Eagles.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Denver (2-3), New York Jets (2-3) and Oakland (1-3).

9) Buffalo Bills

Combined record of Bills opponents in 2012 to date is 10-15. 

The Buffalo Bills are 2-3 right now, but that would be hard to imagine if you watched how their defense performed in the last two weeks. They have allowed at least 550-plus yards on defense in consecutive games. The last time that happened was back in the 1950's by the New York Yanks. 

What is a shame is that the Bills haven't really been hit with a hard schedule either, as the combined record of their five opponents is only 10-15. 

Buffalo will play teams from the NFC West (14-6) and the AFC South (9-10) in 2012. The Bills have not fared well in the AFC East in the last decade, but this year with a combined record of 9-11 they might have a chance to reverse some of their fortune if the defense can settle down.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Cleveland (0-5), New York Jets (2-3) and Kansas City (1-4).

8) Minnesota Vikings

Combined record of Vikings opponents in 2012 to date is 9-14.

The Minnesota Vikings are off to a great start in 2012, with a record of 4-1 and a share of the lead in the NFC North division with the Chicago Bears. 

However, when you look at their schedule, you note that the combined record of their opponents so far is only 9-14. 

The Vikings will be meeting the teams from the AFC South (9-10) and NFC West (14-6) divisions this year, so it looks like their NFC West will give them a stern test. They obviously passed their test by upsetting San Francisco. The NFC North is 11-8 and the Vikings have just played one game in the division so far, defeating Detroit 20-13.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Detroit (1-3), Jacksonville (1-4) and Tennessee (1-4).

7) Baltimore Ravens

Combined record of Ravens opponents in 2012 to date is 10-15.

The Baltimore Ravens are back atop the AFC North division standings with a record of 4-1. The Ravens haven't been challenged by a killer schedule yet, as the combined record of their 2012 foes is 10-15. 

The Ravens will be meeting the teams from the NFC East (10-9) and AFC West (7-12) divisions this year. The AFC North division is a combined 9-10 so the Ravens look to be dealing with a relatively easier schedule in 2012.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Cleveland (0-5) and Kansas City (1-4).

6) San Diego Chargers

Combined record of Chargers opponents in 2012 to date is 9-15. 

The San Diego Chargers are another team that caught a break early on in the 2012 season from the NFL schedule maker. The combined record of the Chargers 2012 opponents so far has been 9-15. 

San Diego is playing to save Norv Turner's job, so it is hard to determine if the Chargers are off to a good start because they are trying to save Turner, or due to the lack of an easier set of teams to play in the first five weeks. Maybe it is a combination of both factors.

In 2012, the Chargers face off against the teams from the NFC South (8-11) and the AFC North (9-10) divisions. The AFC West is 7-12 combined, so the Chargers need to take advantage of playing against three divisions that have a losing record. It doesn't get any easier than that.

The only opponent that the Chargers faced so far with a winning record was the Atlanta Falcons.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Oakland (1-3), Tennessee (1-4), Kansas City (1-4) and New Orleans (1-4).

5) Cincinnati Bengals

Combined record of Bengals opponents in 2012 to date is 9-16. 

The Cincinnati Bengals are still in the thick of the AFC North division race with a record of 3-2. The Bengals have been helped out by a schedule that included some of the easier teams in the NFL this year. The combined record of their first five opponents is 9-16. 

The Bengals will be playing the teams from the NFC East (10-9) and the AFC West (7-12) divisions this year. The AFC North is is 9-10 combined, so the Bengals have a decent chance of going to the playoffs based on the softer schedule.

The only team that the Bengals have faced so far with a winning record is the Baltimore Ravens.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Cleveland (0-5), Washington (2-3), Jacksonville (1-4) and Miami (2-3).

4) New Orleans Saints

Combined record of Saints opponents in 2012 to date is 9-16. 

It is hard to fathom that the New Orleans Saints at 1-4 have been playing against one of the easiest schedules in the first five weeks, but that is exactly the case. 

The combined record of the Saints first five opponents has been 9-16. 

Clearly the absence of head coach Sean Payton and the bounty hunting suspensions have really set the Saints organization reeling. 

In 2012, the Saints are playing the AFC West (7-12) and NFC East (10-9) division teams. In the NFC South, the Saints catch a break as that division is off to a 8-11 start.

One note to pass on. The Saints have faced four teams with a losing record so far, and they lost to all four. The Saints only played one team with a winning record, the San Diego Chargers, and that was their only victory. Go figure.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Washington (2-3), Carolina (1-4), Kansas City (1-4) and Green Bay (2-3).

3) Atlanta Falcons

Combined record of Falcons opponents in 2012 to date is 9-16. 

The Atlanta Falcons are another team that hasn't faced very tough competition yet in 2012. The combined record of their opponents has been 9-16. 

That is one of the reasons why the Falcons are atop the NFC South division with a 5-0 record. 

In 2012, Atlanta plays the teams from the AFC West (7-12) and NFC East divisions (10-9). The news keeps getting better, as the NFC South is a combined 8-11, so things are really looking good for Atlanta in 2012. . 

2012 soft schedule opponents so far: Kansas City (1-4), Carolina (1-4), Denver (2-3) and Washington (2-3). 

2) Houston Texans

Combined record of Texans opponents in 2012 to date is 8-17. 

The Houston Texans so far have faced the second-softest schedule over the span of the first five weeks of the 2012 NFL regular season. 

The combined record of the Texans five opponents is 8-17. The Texans had opened 20 point leads during their first four games, but found the New York Jets to be a tougher test. Yet they still hung on to win, and that is the bottom line after all.

All five of the Texans opponents in 2012 currently have a losing record. In 2012, the Texans face the NFC North (11-8) and the AFC East (9-11) division teams. The AFC South is 9-10 combined.

Could this be the year that the Texans win the AFC Championship? They were the team that I picked in the preseason to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLVII.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Jacksonville (1-4), Tennessee (1-4), Denver (2-3), New York Jets (2-3) and Miami (2-3). 

1) New York Giants

Combined record of Giants opponents in 2012 to date is 6-16. 

Out of all 32 NFL teams, the New York Giants through five weeks have played the softest schedule in the NFL. Surprising results when you consider that they are the defending Super Bowl XLVI champions. 

The combined record of the Giants five opponents is 6-16. No other NFL team has seen a collectively weaker array of opponents than the Giants have. The Giants have survived some key injuries and are still posting a winning record of 3-2.

In 2012 the Giants will face the teams from the AFC North (9-10) and the NFC South (9-10) divisions. The NFC East is 10-9 combined, so none of the three divisions on the Giants schedule are really lighting it up so far in 2012.

Soft schedule opponents so far: Cleveland (0-5), Tampa Bay (1-3), Carolina (1-3)