With the NFL Scouting Combine just over a week away, and free agency kicking off next month, it's never too early to look ahead to the next season.

CBSSports.com recently previewed the strength of schedule for each NFL team in 2018 based off the combined record of their opponents in 2017.

The Detroit Lions are tied with New Orleans for the second toughest strength of schedule with an opponent combined record of 137-119. Only NFC North foe Green Bay has it tougher (138-118).

The Lions play the four teams in the NFC West and the AFC East in next year's annual rotation of division matchups.

Along with their usual home and away games against NFC North opponents – Green Bay, Chicago and Minnesota - the Lions will also travel to San Francisco, Arizona, Dallas, Miami and Buffalo.

The Lions will host Los Angeles (Rams), Seattle, Carolina, the New York Jets and New England.

Of those contests, six are against teams that qualified for the playoffs this past season (Minnesota twice). Dallas and Arizona missed the playoffs, but were 9-7 and 8-8, respectively.

Of course, a lot of these teams will look very different in 2018 after the annual roster turnover takes place via free agency and the NFL Draft, which is usually about 30 percent.

As far as the NFC North goes, Green Bay and Detroit have the two toughest schedules, followed by Chicago and Minnesota, who are both tied for the eighth toughest.

Here's the full list: