The rebuilt Raiders face just two 2013 playoff teams in the first half of the season, but November opens with slugfests against both Super Bowl teams. The final seven weeks feature five playoff squads, including a season finale at division champs Denver.
(AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)

The Broncos face a stiff test early, with three games against 2013 playoff teams to start the season. Although the bye brings relief in Week 4, there are three more playoff clubs on the docket in the following five weeks in addition to a feisty Cardinals squad. The load lightens for another run at the division title in the second half of the season with the powerhouses out of the way.
(Ric Tapia/NFL)

The pressure will be on the Rams to bring a 3-0 record into the Week 4 bye. The next eight weeks feature seven opponents from the 2013 playoffs, with the lone exception being the 10-6 Cardinals. Although the schedule softens a bit after Thanksgiving, the Super Bowl champions loom in the season finale.
(AP Photo/LM Otero)

Chargers players talked about their playoff run starting early last season, with four must-win games to close out December. That task is far more daunting this year with a murderers' row (at Ravens, vs. Patriots, vs. Broncos, at 49ers, at Chiefs) in the final five games.
(Ric Tapia/NFL)

Already toiling in the NFL's toughest division, the 49ers will be tested against 2013 playoff squads such as the Eagles, Broncos, Saints and Chargers. Their two heavyweight bouts versus the Seahawks occur in a three-week span, highlighted by the Thanksgiving night extravaganza. The road doesn't get any easier after a rocky offseason.
(Ric Tapia/NFL)

The Super Bowl champions will be taking everyone's best shot in 2014, starting with a trio of tough matchups (Packers, at Chargers, Broncos) to open the season. The Seahawks have a grueling stretch to close out the season as well, with road games at San Francisco, Philadelphia and Arizona in addition to home tilts with the 49ers and Rams.
(AP Photo/David Goldman)

The Chiefs took advantage of one of the NFL's softest schedules in jumping out to a 9-0 start last year. That won't be repeatable this season, with bouts versus three of the NFL's most stacked teams (at Broncos, Patriots, at 49ers) looming in the first five weeks. The second half isn't much easier, with both Super Bowl teams on the docket.
(AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Coach Bruce Arians was rewarded for his moderate 2013 success with a trio of prime-time games. The schedule offers the usual assortment of peaks and valleys until the final three weeks, when the Cardinals close at the Rams, versus the Seahawks and at the 49ers. If they make the playoffs, it will be at the expense of one of their division rivals.
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Jets have been known for defense in the Rex Ryan era. They'll be challenged early in the season by a streak of high-profile quarterbacks: Rodgers, Cutler, Stafford, Rivers, Manning and Brady are all on the schedule before Halloween. The back end of the schedule shapes up nicely with a collection of winnable matchups following their Week 11 bye.
(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

The Patriots have been a prime-time staple in the Brady and Belichick era. That won't change in 2014. Five prime-time matchups are on the schedule, including three in a four-week span from late September into October. The Patriots face six playoff teams from a year ago, all in the middle of the season. Their first three games and last three games are against non-playoff teams from 2013.
(Aaron M. Sprecher/NFL)

Following a 4-12 season, the Falcons open up 2014 favorably. After a home battle with the Saints, Atlanta faces four consecutive teams going through coordinator or head-coaching changes. Taking on these teams early while they are still tinkering with their identities is a boon for Mike Smith and Co. The Falcons post-bye road schedule, with Green Bay (brrr) and New Orleans on the back end, is no December picnic.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Dolphins weren't a playoff team last season, but their 2014 schedule has some high-profile perks. They open up against the mighty Patriots, travel to London in the fall and play prime-time games against two longtime division foes. It's a fair schedule for a team looking to return to the postseason for the first time in six years.

The Packers kick off the season on Thursday night against the Super Bowl-champion Seahawks before three consecutive NFC North tilts from Week 3 to Week 5. That's a big challenge and a big opportunity to take an early lead in an improved division. If the Packers' weapons can stay healthy all season, they are the favorites to win the division once again.
(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Bills have a manageable start to their season. They face only two 2013 playoff teams in the first half of the season, including a Week 6 home date against the defending AFC East champion Patriots. Things tighten up considerably in the back end, with December matchups against the Broncos, Packers and Patriots. A fast start is essential if Buffalo wants to snap its playoff dry spell.
(AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

In Year 1 of the Marc Trestman era, the Bears' offense took flight with the emergence of Alshon Jeffery and a rebuilt offensive line. The defense looks shaky, but this suddenly is one of the most fun teams in the league to watch. The schedule makers knew as much, putting the Bears in prime time five times, with another big national game on Thanksgiving. Four of the first six games are on the road.
(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

There's no denying the Lions are a talented bunch, but can new coach Jim Caldwell fix Matthew Stafford's inconsistencies? Stafford and new receiver Golden Tate will have two tough early road tests, facing good defenses in Carolina and against the Jets. Detroit's first 14 games feel like an appetizer to their closing stretch at Chicago and Green Bay. If the Lions stay within striking distance, they could steal the division late.
(AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

The Redskins' road to a bounce-back season begins with games against the Texans and Jaguars. However, they then have a tough stretch, playing the Eagles, Giants (TNF), Seahawks (MNF) and Cardinals in consecutive contests. The season will come down to the final three matchups, division games with the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys. Luckily for RGIII and Co., two of those three are at home.
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The Cowboys are coming off yet another disappointing season, but hope springs eternal during the Tony Romo era. Jerry Jones can't be happy with the season opener (hosting the Niners) but the slate looks easier after that with road games against the Titans and Rams. The Cowboys have a whopping five prime-time games, in addition to the customary Thanksgiving Day contest and their first trip to London (vs. the Jaguars). They have a fascinating post-London slate that includes three road games in their final four weeks.
(AP Photo/Greg Trott)

Facing the Panthers and Rams to start the season could push the Lovie Smith offseason optimism into overdrive. However, Tampa will have to show growth with three consecutive tough road games, including at Pittsburgh and New Orleans. Closing out against the Packers and Saints will be daunting if the playoffs are on the line.
(AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

The Eagles surprised everyone with their performance under first-year coach Chip Kelly in 2013, winning the NFC East crown. But defending the title will be tougher, and the Eagles will have to do it without one of the most explosive playmakers in the NFL: DeSean Jackson. Philly's bye comes in Week 7, but Nick Foles and crew face the Cardinals, Panthers and Packers in three of four post-break games.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

First-time head coach Mike Zimmer's tenure with the Vikings gets off to a difficult start. After kicking off the year in St. Louis, Minnesota takes on the Patriots, Saints, Falcons and the Packers (on a short week). The Vikings might be employing their QB of the future fairly early in the 2014 season if they can't survive that slate.
(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Ron Rivera can't afford another slow start. It might not cost him his job this time around, but it could cost the Panthers a chance at a repeat division title. A brutal October schedule might keep the Panthers from going on a 2013-style run if they get behind. From Week 6 to Week 10, the Panthers face five 2013 playoff teams, with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks sandwiched in the middle. A Week 12 bye won't give Cam Newton's surgically repaired ankle much rest if he tweaks it early in the season.
(AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

The schedule-makers believe that Andy Dalton and the Bengals will stay a contender in the AFC North. Handed three nationally televised games against the Patriots, Browns and Broncos, Cincy has a chance to show that it's destined for more than just another depressing, first-round playoff loss.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The Saints march into the season with two road games, but they'll be on your TV often in prime time. The maximum five scheduled prime-time games for the Saints includes back-to-back center-stage doozies against the Packers and Panthers in Weeks 8 and 9. The pivot point of the Saints' season is a four-game stretch from mid-October to mid-November all against 2013 playoff teams.
(Aaron M. Sprecher/NFL)

Pittsburgh's been dealt a challenging schedule. Starting in Week 2, the Steelers play four of five games on the road. The same occurs starting in Week 10, with Pittsburgh home just once -- against the Saints -- from Nov. 9 through Dec. 21.
(AP Photo/Don Wright)

The Browns open on the road for the first time since 1995 with a Week 1 trip to Pittsburgh (of note, they've lost all but one of those first-act tilts). It doesn't get any easier with a Week 2 home opener against the Saints, but Cleveland benefits from playing just two playoff teams -- New Orleans and the Bengals on Thursday night in Week 10 -- before Thanksgiving.
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

The Giants are coming off one of their worst seasons in recent memory, but are buoyed by a totally revamped secondary. The Giants have their bye in a nice spot -- Week 8 -- but then must face the Colts, Seahawks, 49ers and Cowboys in a stretch that will loom large for the team's playoff chances. This is a team that has traditionally started well under Tom Coughlin, until last year's disastrous September.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

It's only April, but we like Baltimore's favorable stretch run. Closing their schedule against the Dolphins, Jaguars, Texans and Browns, this year's Ravens have an opportunity to finish strong in a division completely up for grabs.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Second place in the AFC South should be up for grabs this year, but the Jaguars will have to work hard to avoid a slow start. Three of their first four games are on the road, with their one home game during that time against defending division champion Andrew Luck. The Jaguars get rid of their two road games in the NFC East (Philly, Washington) to start the season. The Jaguars also give up a home game by facing the Cowboys in London. Their one prime-time game comes in Week 16 against Tennessee.
(AP Photo/Tom DiPace)

The first thing you notice about the Texans' schedule: They are out of the limelight. After years of playing in prime time often, the Texans have just two night games in 2014. They also don't face many good teams early. The Texans don't play a 2013 playoff team until Indianapolis in Week 6. They play just three different 2013 playoff teams the whole season.
(Aaron M. Sprecher/NFL)

Teams coming off weak seasons often get a break with their early schedules. Not the Titans. Tennessee opens with three road games in its first four weeks, all against playoff teams from a year ago. Their one home game in that span is against Dallas. Things ease up after that, with only one more game against a 2013 playoff team until a Week 17 home game against Indianapolis. There is room for an AFC South team to rise against a relatively weak schedule overall.
(AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

The Colts aren't easing into the season. They open the "Sunday Night Football" schedule against Peyton Manning in Denver, then return home for a Monday night home opener against Philadelphia. Things settle down after that, but there are a lot of high-profile games against the NFC East, AFC North and the New England Patriots. The schedule wraps up with three road games in their last four weeks.
(Aaron M. Sprecher/NFL)