NFL Picks Week 2: Which Teams Benefit Most from an Easy Schedule?

It's always a debate that can cause a stir for any team that's on the upswing, and that's the overall strength of the schedule (SOS).

We hear it all the time in college football, as the BCS computer system does heavily weigh the SOS.

In the NFL however, a weak SOS can come back to bite you either late in the regular season or once in the postseason.

Now although the theory of a weak SOS isn't always the case for a team not being good enough to win it all, it certainly doesn't help having basically an easier path than someone else.

So who's going to benefit the most from a weak SOS?

We got one team from each conference who could really capitalize.

Arizona Cardinals

Other than the St. Louis Rams, only the Arizona Cardinals should be contending for the NFC West title.

The 49ers struggled against a weak Seattle team, but thanks to Ted Ginn, Jr. and his back-to-back return TDs, San Fran looked like they beat the Seahawks pretty good.

As for the Cardinals, they only beat the Carolina Panthers by a TD and allowed over 400 yards passing to rookie QB Cam Newton.

And the Panthers are still the NFC South's worst team.

This week they travel across the country to play the Washington Redskins, who although upset the Giants in Week 1, still aren't going to the postseason.

With Philly and Dallas in the NFC East, the Redskins will fall back to earth shortly.

Then after the 'Skins, the Cards' still have to play San Fran and Seattle twice, the Minnesota Vikings and then the Browns and Bengals of the AFC North.

With half of their schedule they're going to be lucky to finish 8-8 at best, Arizona should have no trouble taking advantage and making the playoffs.

Houston Texans

Although the Texans are a much improved team and have a great shot at being one of the AFC's best franchises, the AFC South alone isn't much of a challenge for them.

Without Peyton Manning Indy is going down fast, Tennessee's best WR is Kenny Britt and RB Chris Johnson held out for so long it's uncertain if he'll get back on track and the Jacksonville Jaguars' starting QB in Josh McCown.

Now the Jags are Houston's biggest threat in the division, but they're still a few steps back on Houston.

Venturing outside of the AFC South now, and we see the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers on the schedule.

Just check off all those as cake walks, because Houston is a much more complete team than any of them, and any of those four teams will be lucky to finish 8-8.

You could also throw in the Oakland Raiders as well, because even though Oakland dominates within the AFC West (went 6-0 in 2010), they went 2-8 outside their division last season.

All this being said, Houston should have no trouble getting one of the top three seeds in the AFC come playoff time.

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