2011 NFL Predictions: Which Teams Have the Easiest Path to the Playoffs?

Despite the NFL being locked out, speculation is rampant as to which teams will be in the best position to win, if there is a season. 

Many teams, such as the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans, have favorable schedules. However, since those four teams and others like them have building to do before they make the playoffs, the have's, who were handed a good schedule, will be in better shape than the have-not's.

Here are the teams with the most favorable schedules and best chance to make the playoffs in each division going into 2011. 

Note: Opponent winning percentage is noted in parentheses. 

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates the Ravens victory after the game against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Saints 30-24. (Photo

In 2010, the Baltimore Ravens tore through the regular season and finished at 12-4. The emergence of quarterback Joe Flacco as the leader of the offense propelled Baltimore to the AFC Divisional round where they fell to their bitter rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Ravens fans looking for their team to head back to the playoffs should rejoice, as schedule makers handed Baltimore the second easiest schedule in the whole league (.457).

The Ravens have the task of opening up against Pittsburgh and facing the New York Jets in Week 4. Outside of those games, five of their first seven opponents had losing records in 2010. 

Add in the fact that Baltimore gets to play the NFC West, and the Ravens should be able to coast into at least a wild-card spot in 2011. 

Toughest games: Indianapolis, New York Jets, @Pittsburgh, @San Diego

Easiest games: Arizona, Cincinnati, @Jacksonville, @Tennessee

AFC West: Oakland Raiders

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball during their game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

In 2010, the Oakland Raiders fought hard and finished 8-8 on the season. It wasn't enough to save head coach Tom Cable, who was replaced by Hue Jackson. 

Oakland is a very young team that has showed flashes of potential. The scheduling committee didn't give them too many favors, but they have the easiest schedule in the division (.492).

Luckily for Oakland, they have two easier road games against the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills before coming home to face the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Late games against the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers will be tests as well, but Oakland has dates with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, which are winnable games. 

Toughest games: Chicago, @Green Bay, New England, New York Jets

Easiest games: @Buffalo, Cleveland, @Denver, Detroit

AFC East: New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick before playing against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the g

In 2010, the New England Patriots were dominant as usual in the regular season, going 14-2. They ultimately fell to the New York Jets in the AFC Divisional round. 

The AFC will have a meat grinder of a schedule in 2011, but New England's schedule is by far the easiest (.502).

New England begins with four winnable games, including the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. The middle of the season features matchups against the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers Philadelphia Eagles and both New York teams.

The Patriots should be able to handle the tough workload better than the rest of the AFC East and secure another division title. 

Toughest games: Indianapolis, New York Giants, @Philadelphia, @Pittsburgh, 

Easiest games: Buffalo, @Denver, Miami, @Washington 

AFC South: Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

In 2010, Tennessee limped to a 6-10 finish and lost their head coach Jeff Fisher in the process.

Replacing Fisher is Mike Munchak, the long-time Titans offensive line coach. Despite their youth and questions at quarterback, Tennessee can stay competitive and even challenge for a wild-card spot because of their schedule (.488).

Tennessee has the misfortune of facing the AFC North and NFC South in 2011. That said, games against the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars are easily winnable. If the Titans can finish 3-3 in the division and get good production from Chris Johnson, they can challenge in the division. 

Toughest games: @Atlanta, Baltimore, New Orleans, @Pittsburgh

Easiest games: @Carolina, @Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver

NFC North: Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears smiles while taking on the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

In 2010, the Chicago Bears outlasted the Green Bay Packers in the divisional race and won the NFC North with a 11-5 record. Green Bay won the war, though, as the Packers beat the Bears in the NFC Championship and went on to win Super Bowl XLV.

Despite what may be the toughest early schedule in the NFL (Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers), Chicago is more than capable of repeating as division champs. Facing the rebuilding Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings' squads won't hurt their chances.

Toss in the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, and the prospects for Chicago look good. 

Toughest games: Atlanta, Green Bay, @New Orleans, @Philadelphia

Easiest games: Carolina, @Denver, Detroit, Seattle 

NFC West: St. Louis Rams

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 17: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the San Diego Chargers at the Edward Jones Dome on October 17, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Chargers 20-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

In 2010, the St. Louis Rams held the NFC West lead until the final week, when a loss to the Seattle Seahawks sent the first 7-9 team to the playoffs, and the 7-9 Rams went home. 

For the Rams to compete, Sam Bradford will have to excel in Josh McDaniels' new offense. Expect bumps in the road as the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens are on the early part of the schedule. However, games against the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks and Cincinnati Bengals will help boost their record. 

Early struggles will battle test the Rams for a late playoff push. The low opponent winning percentage (.477) will help as well. 

Toughest games: Baltimore, @New York Giants, Philadelphia, @Pittsburgh

Easiest games: @Arizona, Cincinnati, @Cleveland, Washington

NFC East: New York Giants

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Hakeem Nicks #88 of the New York Giants is congratulated by Kevin Boss #89 after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Get

In 2010, the New York Giants went 10-6, but collapsed late and missed the playoffs. 

Can New York fight back and make the playoffs in 2011? It won't hurt to have a near cakewalk to start the season, where only one opponent in their first seven games had a winning record in 2010 (Philadelphia Eagles).

The later part of the New York schedule could pose problems, as they face the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets. If the Giants build up a big division lead in the early weeks, it could be insurmountable despite the tough games late in the season. 

Toughest games: Green Bay, @New England, @New Orleans, @New York Jets

Easiest games: @Arizona, Buffalo, Miami, Washington

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons calls signals out at the line of scrimmage against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Ph

In 2010, the Atlanta Falcons dominated their division and went 13-3 in the regular season. The bye week off was costly, however, as Green Bay throttled Atlanta in the NFC Divisional round. 

For Atlanta to succeed, they need to start fast. Games against the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers could hurt if the Falcons start slow. Late games against the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars are winnable. 

In the end, Atlanta is set up to win now, and they could do a lot with their reasonable schedule (.492). 

Toughest games: @Chicago, Green Bay, Philadelphia, @Tampa Bay

Easiest games: Carolina, @Detroit, Jacksonville, Minnesota