5 NFL teams with the most challenging schedule after Week 11

There are just seven weeks remaining on the schedule for the 2021 NFL season. That means each NFL team has just six or seven games left, depending on whether or not they still have a bye week coming up. The NFL playoffs are quickly approaching as teams look to gain momentum down the stretch.

The remaining strength of the schedule is defined by the combined winning percentage of remaining opponents. Almost every NFL team is still alive following Week 11, so whoever they have left on their schedule can play a major factor in how the playoff picture plays itself out. These five teams have the most difficult schedules for the rest of the 2021 NFL season.

Most difficult remaing NFL schedules after Week 11

#5 - Las Vegas Raiders (5-5)

Remaining strength of schedule: .562

Remaining opponents: Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Washington Football Team

The Las Vegas Raiders have lost their last three consecutive games and are on the outside of the current playoff field. They will need to turn things around quickly if they are going to get back in the race. It won't be easy with the fifth most difficult remaining schedule in the NFL. Washington is their only remaining opponent with a losing record this year.

#4 - Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

Remaining strength of schedule: .576

Remaining opponents: Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos

The AFC North is one of the best divisions in the NFL, and they all have difficult remaining schedules. All four teams in the AFC North make up the top four. This is partially because they all play each other and all have winning records, but their non-division games are also tough. The Bengals don't play any teams with a losing record for the rest of the season.

Most difficult remaining strength of schedules after NFL Week 11

Toughest remaining schedules following Week 11 of the 2021 NFL season.

#3 - Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

Remaining strength of schedule: .603

Remaining opponents: Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers (twice), Cleveland Browns (twice)

The Baltimore Ravens have five of their six divisional games in the last seven weeks of the season. Their other two games on their remaining schedule are against two of the top teams in the NFC. The Ravens control their own destiny in the AFC North division. If they win their games, they win the division title.

#2 - Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1)

Remaining strength of schedule: .630

Remaining opponents: Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens (twice), Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings

It has been a streaky 2021 NFL season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They opened the year with a big win over the Buffalo Bills, then followed it with a three-game losing streak, a four-game winning streak and a two-game winless streak. The most difficult part of their schedule is still in front of them, so they will need to step it up if they want to make the playoffs.

#1 - Cleveland Browns (6-5)

Remaining strength of schedule: .631

Remaining opponents: Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens (twice), Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders

Currently, the Cleveland Browns don't own one of seven AFC playoff spots. That means they have work to do if they want to punch their ticket. It won't be easy with the most difficult remaining strength of schedule following Week 11. The good news is that four of their six games are against teams above them in the AFC standings, so they have an opportunity to make up ground quickly.