NFL Schedule 2011: 3 Teams Whose Brutal Schedules Will Make Them Miss Playoffs

There are certain teams who can handle having a tough schedule. Taking on the best of the league isn't going to deter them from winning games, as they are playoff bound regardless of their strength of schedule.

For teams on the bubble, the strength of schedule can make or break a team. A cushy schedule is going to launch some teams into the postseason, while others are going to be left in the cold at the hands of their brutal schedules.

Here are three teams whose brutal schedules are going to make them miss the playoffs.

San Diego Chargers (Opponents' 2010 Record: 133-123)

The Chargers are a solid team. They underperformed last season after losing LaDainian Tomlinson, failing to adequately replace him and putting forth the worst special teams unit in recent memory.

The departure of Ron Rivera could be evidence enough that this team is not making the playoffs, but their miserable schedule lying ahead seals the deal.

The Chargers face games lying ahead that they have to be at their best in which to even compete. They play the Jets, Patriots and Bears, all on the road. They also have to face the Ravens—who embarrassed them in the playoffs—at home, and their AFC West opponents routinely present trap games for the Chargers.

Add on the fact that games against the Lions and Jaguars on the road aren't gimme games, and the Chargers take what could be a 10-win team into the season and may come away with a losing record. 

Detroit Lions (Opponents' 2010 Record: 133-123)

The Lions are a popular sleeper team this season, and rightfully so. They've got an up-and-coming team and have elite pieces on both sides of the ball. A healthy Matthew Stafford should take this already competitive Lions team to the next level, right?

Not if the Lions' schedule has anything to say about it.

From start to finish, the Lions might have the hardest road ahead of them this season. Starting off the season at Tampa Bay is a difficult matchup, and the schedule shows no remorse for Detroit throughout the season.

The Bears, Falcons, Packers and Saints might be the best teams in the NFC. The Lions have games against all of them—two against the Packers and Bears. When the Chargers, Chiefs, 49ers and Cowboys are considered some of the easier games in the schedule, it's easy to see the tough hand the Lions were dealt this season.

Kansas City Chiefs (Opponents' 2010 Record: 133-123)

The AFC West is fairly wide open. The Chiefs were able to take it last year because of their incredible play at Arrowhead. There is no such thing as an easy game for any opponent who takes on the Chiefs at home.

Unfortunately, the Chiefs' home-field advantage won't save them this year.

The Chiefs have to play the Jets, Bears and Patriots on the road. You can count those as three losses, based on how the Chiefs looked on the road a season ago. They also go on the road against the Lions, and all three AFC West teams present a challenge regardless of their venue.

There is also no way they win seven games at home this season. Both teams who won their conference last season are coming into Arrowhead. The Bills came a field goal away from ousting the Chiefs at home last season and the Raiders flat-out ruined them there.

The Chiefs are a borderline playoff team. Their schedule feeds them impossible adversity they simply aren't talented enough to overcome.