2011 NFL Schedule: 5 Teams That Will Surprise Thanks to Cakewalk Schedules

When it comes to having success in the NFL, the talent level of a particular team is just the tip of the iceberg. One of the most factors that often gets overlooked when attempting to predict what teams will have successful seasons is their schedules.

The strength of a team's schedule is vitally important to how that team will fare. A difficult schedule can harm a solid team and cause them to miss the playoffs, while an easy schedule can propel an average team to a playoff berth.

In the end, strength of schedule comes down to luck in many ways. Just because a team was terrible last season, it doesn't mean they will be this year, and vice versa. With that said, here are five teams who might turn in surprisingly good seasons by virtue of very easy schedules.

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders surprised many observers last season by finishing 8-8 and remarkably going undefeated in AFC West games with a 6-0 record. Despite last season's success, the Raiders aren't considered to be serious contenders in the division this season.

Oakland lost their leading receiver in tight end Zach Miller to free agency this offseason and will likely have a patchwork aerial attack. The Raiders' passing game wasn't particularly great last year either, though, so they will once again lean heavily on running back Darren McFadden to provide the bulk of their offense.

Raider games were rarely pretty last season, but they found ways to win through grit and determination. That could go a long way in 2011 as the Raiders are tied for having the 11th easiest schedule. Oakland's schedule is buoyed by games against the likes of Denver, Buffalo, Cleveland, Minnesota and Miami.

While the San Diego Chargers are the class of the division, Oakland will be better than people think.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers were huge favorites to win the lowly NFC West entering last season, but everything went wrong as the Niners finished with a 6-10 record, good for third in the division. Amazingly enough, they were just one game out of first by season's end, even with a nightmare scenario playing out.

Because of San Francisco's disappointing 2010 season, they are now something of a sleeper in the weak NFC West. The 49ers have more talent than people think, particularly on offense. Alex Smith is nothing special at quarterback, but he showed that he could win games two seasons ago.

Michael Crabtree, Braylon Edwards and Vernon Davis are quality receivers as well.

The key will be a healthy Frank Gore as the running game is integral to the Niners' success. San Francisco has the third-easiest schedule this season statistically, and much of that has to do with their divisional opponents. Teams like Cincinnati, Cleveland and Washington should boost San Fran's win total, but it will ultimately come down to how they fare in divisional contests.

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans regressed in 2010 despite high hopes that they could challenge the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC South crown. The Titans finished 6-10, prompting big offseason changes. Among them was the departure of long-time head coach Jeff Fisher.

He was replaced by Mike Munchak, while quarterback Matt Hasselbeck takes the place of Vince Young who is now in Philadelphia.

The Titans got a new contract squared away with running back Chris Johnson, and their offense figures to be improved with Hasselbeck at the helm. Also, the biggest factor in a possible Tennessee resurgence is the fact that Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning is out for at least two to three months. This opens the door for the other teams in the division.

The Titans are tied for having the eighth-easiest schedule with plenty of 2010 bottom feeders like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Carolina and Buffalo on the slate. Depending upon how Indy reacts to Manning's loss, the Titans could be very much in the thick of the AFC South race.

Washington Redskins

After signing high-profile defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and trading for quarterback Donovan McNabb, hopes were extremely high for the Washington Redskins in 2010. Things didn't go according to plan, however, as Haynesworth was suspended and McNabb was benched, and now neither player is a Redskin any longer.

The Redskins seem to be going a different route than usual this year as less-heralded players like quarterback Rex Grossman and running back Tim Hightower are expected to play big roles in the team's success (or lack thereof). There is no question that the NFC East will be murderous as the 'Skins will have to play six games against playoff contending teams in Dallas, New York and Philadelphia.

Aside from that, however, Washington has a very advantageous schedule rated as the fourth easiest. They will benefit from playing the terrible NFC West, as well as teams like Carolina and Buffalo. A playoff berth is farfetched, but if they can steal one of two divisional games, there is reason to believe Washington could be an 8-8 or 9-7 team.

Arizona Cardinals

After winning the NFC West for two consecutive seasons and reaching the Super Bowl in 2008, the Arizona Cardinals took a wicked nosedive in 2010, finishing last in the division with a 5-11 mark. Obviously, this coincided with the retirement of quarterback Kurt Warner prompting the Cards to settle for a merry-go-round of mediocrity under center last season with Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton.

The Cardinals made major improvements this offseason, though, namely through the acquisition of quarterback Kevin Kolb. Kolb has shown great potential in limited playing time and would improve the offense's effectiveness immensely with solid play.

Arizona is projected to have the league's easiest schedule by a wide margin, so there's reason to believe they can regain their perch atop the AFC West. Not only do they face their own division six times, but the likes of Carolina, Washington, Minnesota, Cleveland and Cincinnati are all on tap. If they're even mediocre this season, the Cards could run away with the division.