Toughest NFL Schedules 2008

If you want to get an idea of who might be in best position to make a run at the Super Bowl in 2008, the schedule isn’t a bad place to start. Not all contenders will face the same kind of 16-game grind to get to the postseason. Since playing everyone isn’t feasible, some clubs will have an easier path than others.

Consider, for instance, the New England Patriots, a team seemingly not in need of any help. The schedule makers have awarded the Pats a schedule filled with teams that went a combined 99-157 in 2007, a winning percentage of .387. In theory, that gives the Pats the easiest schedule in the league for 2008. San Diego, the other team to appear in the most recent AFC Championship game, has it almost as good: The Chargers opponents finished 108-148, a winning percentage of just .422.

For some other contenders, the news isn’t quite so good.

The Steelers face teams that finished a combined 153-103, a .594 winning percentage. The Colts, in turn, eye a schedule of clubs that went 152-104 for a .592 winning percentage.

Of course, past failure doesn’t guarantee future misery, and at least some of these pushovers are likely to improve in 2008. Until that happens, though, some of the NFL’s power elite would appear to have an advantage over others.

Here’s the rest of the more challenged Top 10:

– Jaguars: 143-113, .559

– Vikings, 141-115, .551

– Ravens, 141-115, .551

– Bengals, 140-116.547

– Texans, 140-116, .547

– Browns, 140-116, .547

– Lions, 139-117, .543

– Titans, 139-117, .543

For the rest of the list, visit ESPN.com.

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