Tim brought to our attention that the Patriots have a really ridiculous schedule next year. I guess the league really, really, really wants them to go undefeated all the way through the Super Bowl.

When Tim said the Patriots "have the weakest schedule" in the league, I assumed this was a Tim-like exaggeration. (Not sure if you know this, but Tim is prone to exaggerate sometimes.)

So I looked at the schedules and who they're playing and, well, it's kind of ridiculous.

The Patriots do indeed have the easiest schedule when you look at their opponents 2007 records. Yes, yes, I know the NFL is a league when things can turn around quickly, but still. One of the big ways the NFL got known as a league with parity was that they always gave teams an appropriate schedule that reflected the kind of year they'd just had. If you went 3-13, you got a "3-13 schedule," which meant you got a lot of weak teams and you didn't have to face more than one powerhouse. If you went...oh....I don't know.... 16-and-freaking-0, you would likely have a schedule that would make you cry. All good teams, lots of marquee matchups, many prime time games, etc.

But no. Now the NFL has given Steelers the toughest schedule, followed by the Colts, Jags, Vikes, Ravens, Bengals, Texans, Browns and Lions.

Wait, the Vikings, Ravens, Texans, Browns and Lions all get top-ten schedules?

Meanwhile, the Patriots opponents this coming season had a .387 winning percentage in 2007 and a combined 99-157 record. Solid.

Roger Goodell and Bob Kraft put the finishing touches on the Patriots 2008 "schedule."