With four wins in their final four games and a 6-10 record that was their best since 2007, the Detroit Lions ended the 2010 season on a rather impressive note. But does the Lions' improvement look even better, considering that they had the most difficult schedule among NFC North teams in 2010?
↵As explained by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert (with some help from the Stats & Info department), the opponents on Detroit's 2011 schedule had a combined record of 133-123-0 in 2010. That's tied (among seven teams) for the third highest won-loss percentage (.520) in the NFL. The next closest team is the Green Bay Packers, whose opponents had a .508 winning percentage in 2010.
↵Who had the easiest schedule in the NFC North? The Chicago Bears, who won the division and earned a first-round playoff bye with an 11-5 record this past season. The Bears' opponents had a .488 winning percentage in 2010, tied for 23rd in the NFL. Only seven teams had an easier schedule.