Ranking the Toughest Schedules in the NFC North

The NFL Preseason has just begun and football is about to captivate the country for yet another exciting season.  Nearly every division in the NFL will have an exciting battle for first place and a coveted playoff spot.  

The NFC North figures to be one of the best divisions in football this year.  Two of its teams, the Bears and the Packers, were the best of the NFC last season, with Green Bay beating Chicago in the NFC Championship Game last January.  In addition, the Lions figure to be much improved from last year.  The Vikings appear to be in rebuilding mode, but still present a challenge.  

So which team was given the easiest path to the division title?  Let's Begin...

4. (Easiest) Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Home Games

Tampa Bay, Arizona, Oakland, Denver, New Orleans, Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago

Vikings Away Games

San Diego, Kansas City, Carolina, Atlanta, Washington, Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago

Although they do have to play each of the better teams in the division, the remaining parts of the schedule are easy.  Home games versus Arizona, Oakland, and Denver are all winnable games.  The road game at Washington is also a good matchup for Minnesota.  

3. Detroit Lions

Lions Home Games

Atlanta, Carolina, Kansas City, San Diego, San Francisco, Green Bay, Minnesota, Chicago

Lions Away Games

Dallas, Oakland, Denver, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Chicago, Minnesota

The Lions may have the second-easiest schedule in the NFC North, but it is still a challenging one.  A tough road schedule is eased by an easier home slate.  Home games versus Carolina and San Francisco should be easy games.  

2. Green Bay Packers

Packers Home Games

New Orleans, Denver, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Oakland, Minnesota, Detroit, Chicago

Packers Away Games

Carolina, Atlanta, San Diego, New York Giants, Kansas City, Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit

The Packers have four very tough road games.  Atlanta, San Diego, New York, and Kansas City will all be difficult games for Green Bay.  Things get easier at home with games versus Denver and Oakland.  The defending champs have their work cut for them.  

1. (Toughest) Chicago Bears

Bears Home Games

Atlanta, Carolina, San Diego, Kansas City, Seattle, Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit

Bears Away Games

New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Oakland, Denver, Minnesota, Green Bay, Detroit

The Bears edge out the Packers for the most difficult schedule in the division.  Three very tough road games versus three playoff-caliber NFC teams (NO, TB, PHI) will test Chicago.  Home games against Atlanta, San Diego, Kansas City, and Seattle are also challenges.  There are very few easy match-ups for the Bears this season.