Which teams have the easiest and toughest schedules of the 2018 season?

Every year, the NFL schedule provides a sense of relief or agony for fans of each of the league's 32 franchises.

While opponents for the 2018 campaign were already determined prior to the schedule release, it's now known which teams will encounter some of the most relaxed and grueling stretches of the season.

Here are the easiest and toughest schedules faced by NFL teams next season.

Easiest schedules

Texans

Houston will be getting J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson back from injury and the good news doesn't stop there. The Texans' opponents finished with a league-worst .453 combined win percentage in 2017, and save for their final two games, there isn't a stretch on the schedule that ought to give them prolonged issues. Houston faces a relatively easy stretch against Tennessee, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and the New York Jets from Nov. 26 to Dec. 15, a development that should aid its playoff bid. Houston, we don't have a problem.

Titans

Much like their divisional rival Texans, the Titans have been afforded one of the easiest draws in 2018. With the exception of a three-week stretch that pits the Titans against the Jaguars, Eagles, and Bills, it should be smooth sailing for Marcus Mariota and his squad. Tennessee closes the season against the New York Giants, Washington, and Indianapolis, affording itself plenty of time to make up ground on its divisional rivals in what ought to be a hotly contested bid for the divisional title. After squeaking into the playoffs last year, the Titans certainly have something to build upon.

Patriots

No one would blame you if you wanted to scream into the sun, but the AFC powerhouse should be cruising to a routine 13 wins or so this winter. The Patriots don't face a single daunting two-game stretch with consecutive games against the Steelers and Bills in December representing their greatest test. It's baffling and it may upset a number of fans who are rooting for anyone but the Patriots, but Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are likely having a quiet laugh.

Toughest schedules

Packers

Green Bay missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and if you thought it would receive a measure of sympathy, you guessed wrong. The Packers' opponents sported a league-best .539 combined win percentage in 2017 and look poised to make life as difficult as possible for Aaron Rodgers and Co. There are no breaks for the Packers, with three home dates in September serving as the lone possible reprieve, while a particularly brutal 49ers-Rams-Patriots stretch is waiting for them to close out the first half. If the Packers miss the playoffs again, it could very well be a result of their schedule.

Saints

Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore took the league by storm during their rookie seasons, cleaning up at the NFL Honors in February. Their reward? A particularly murderous stretch in the middle of the year which includes games against the Vikings, Rams, Bengals, Eagles, and Falcons from Oct. 28 to Nov. 22. If you thought that was tough, the Saints close their season out against the Panthers, Steelers, and Panthers, again. It won't be an easy march for one of the NFL's most electrifying teams.

Browns

It couldn't possibly be worse for the Browns than going 0-16 in 2017. Although the Browns made an aggressive push during free agency and will be armed with the first and fourth overall picks from the 2018 NFL Draft, their schedule makes it nearly impossible for stark improvement. Cleveland begins its season against Pittsburgh and New Orleans, two Super Bowl contenders hell-bent on vengeance. The Browns also face a midseason stretch against the Steelers again, followed by the Chiefs and Falcons. We're not predicting another winless season but this is a nightmare for the Browns.