Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker
Our Hashmarks Crew breaks down the lowlights of each team's 2008 schedule.
Baltimore: The Ravens have the league's fifth-toughest schedule despite their 5-11 finish last season. The month of December will be brutal as the team faces the Washington Redskins (Dec. 7), Pittsburgh Steelers (Dec. 14), Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 20) and Jacksonville Jaguars (Dec. 28).
Buffalo: The Bills do not start fast. They are just 3-9 in September since 2004 and begin this season with two tough games against the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Cincinnati: How ironic? The Bengals play eight teams ranked in the top 10 in overall defense from last season, during a year they cut receiver Chris Henry and when Chad Johnson is trying to get out of town. An opening game Sept. 7 in Baltimore could be dangerous during the debut of Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Cleveland: Eight of Cleveland's games are against teams that made the postseason in 2007. The pressure will be on Derek Anderson, who needs to play well against the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers in the first two weeks to avoid any potential quarterback controversy involving Brady Quinn.
Denver: The Broncos better win early. Five road games in the final eight weeks could make or break their playoff fate. This includes a stretch where Denver plays three road games in November.
Houston: The Texans have trouble winning in their division, going 1-5 in the AFC South last year. If that trend continues, three straight games at the Tennessee Titans (Sept. 21), at the Jacksonville Jaguars (Sept. 28) and home against the Indianapolis Colts (Oct. 5) would put Houston in an early hole.
Indianapolis: The Colts can't seem to avoid the San Diego Chargers (Nov. 23), who have beaten Indianapolis in three consecutive meetings. The Colts also have the second-toughest schedule in the league, but that has never bothered them in the past.
Jacksonville: The middle of the schedule could signify trouble. The Jaguars play four road games in six weeks between Nov. 2 and Dec. 7. Jacksonville also has a quirk late in its schedule where the team has only four days off between games against the Green Bay Packers (Dec. 14) and Indianapolis (Dec. 18).
Kansas City: Herm Edwards and the Chiefs couldn't have a tougher draw than traveling to Gillette Stadium to play the New England Patriots in Week 1. In addition, Kansas City plays on the road in three of its first five games before its bye Oct. 12.
Miami: There is nowhere to go but up for the Dolphins, who were 1-15 last season. But four of their final five games on the road is just cruel and unusual punishment. Add in two games against the New England Patriots (Sept. 21 and Nov. 23) and it could be another long season for the Dolphins.
New England: There's not much to complain about when you have the weakest strength of schedule in the NFL. But the Patriots won't get a chance to avenge their loss to the New York Giants unless both teams reach the Super Bowl for the second straight year.
New York: Quarterback issues still need to be addressed before the Jets take the field in their opener against the Dolphins Sept. 7. Whether or not that issue is taken care of, the month of November will be rough with three road games against Buffalo, New England and Tennessee.
Oakland: There is an enormous amount of pressure on head coach Lane Kiffin to win right away. AFC West division games against Denver Sept. 8, at Kansas City Sept. 14 and San Diego Sept. 28 will let the Raiders know where they stand early.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers have the toughest strength of schedule in the NFL, with opponents combining for a .598 winning percentage. Pittsburgh's most high-profile games include the New York Giants (Oct. 26), San Diego (Nov. 16), New England (Nov. 30) and the Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 7).
San Diego: Although it was requested by the team, the Chargers first travel cross-country to Buffalo to play the Bills Oct. 19, then immediately travel to London to face the New Orleans Saints Oct. 26. These back-to-back road trips could take a toll on San Diego in November and December.
Tennessee: Quarterback Vince Young is 17-11 as a starter, but his 69.0 passer rating the past two years is concerning. December games against Cleveland, Houston, Pittsburgh and at Indianapolis will be critical if the Titans want to get into the postseason.
