The hibernation period is almost over. Last night the NFL finally released the 2018 schedule — and coupled with next week’s draft, we will soon be able to realistically forecast next year’s NFL season.
But since I can hardly wait that long, I’m going to quickly run through my main observations from the Patriots’ upcoming schedule…and then I’ll forecast their season with game-by-game predictions.
Game of the Year: Week 9 vs Green Bay (Sunday Night Football)
Easy choice, right? Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have only met once before (Rodgers’ Packers edged out Brady and company 26-21 back in 2014 at Lambeau), so this Sunday Night matchup will mark their first meeting in Foxboro. I’m actually surprised the NFL didn’t select this game to open up the SNF slate in Week 1. After all, it’s rare to see two of the ten greatest quarterbacks of all time square off against one another, especially since there is no guarantee either will be healthy come midseason.
Regardless, this is the NFL’s most compelling regular season game of 2018.
Most Important Game of the Year: Week 15 at Pittsburgh
The Patriots likely would not have reached Super Bowl LII if not for their epic Week 15 win at Heinz Field last season. Smart move by the schedule-makers putting this consequential game late in December once again: especially since Pittsburgh projects to have a relatively easy schedule, this game will once again be crucial in determining which AFC heavyweight earns home field throughout the playoffs.
Trap game: Week 8 at Buffalo (Monday Night Football)
Sure, the Bills currently have a major question mark at quarterback, but their defense is solid and there is little reason to think that the Patriots’ poor rushing defense will successfully contain a running back like LeSean McCoy. Plus, road primetime games are rarely easy, as evidenced by how the Patriots were trounced by a mediocre Miami team on Monday Night Football last year. I’m not saying we’re going to lose this one…but an unexpected loss will probably occur at some point.
Toughest Stretch: Weeks 1-3 (vs Houston, @ Jacksonville, @ Detroit)
After opening last season with three of its first four games against playoff-bound teams, New England will once against have a difficult month of September. Assuming Deshaun Watson is healthy, the Texans will certainly not be a pushover in Week One. An AFC Championship rematch against a revenge-seeking Jaguars team, as well as a road tilt against Matthew Stafford’s Lions, are not desirable matchups, either. Combined with how Bill Belichick teams tend to start the season relatively slow, a 1-2 opening is possible.
Easiest Stretch: Weeks 16-17 (vs Buffalo, vs New York Jets)
Fortunately, however, the Patriots will once again close the season at home against two beatable opponents. Simply put, the Pats will be in great shape if they are in control of their own destiny come Week 16.
Win/Loss Projections
Week 1: vs Houston Win
Week 2: @Jacksonville Loss
Week 3: @Detroit Loss
Week 4: vs Miami Win
Week 5: vs Indianapolis Win
Week 6: vs Kansas City Loss
Week 7: @Chicago Win
Week 8: @Buffalo Win
Week 9: vs Green Bay Win
Week 10: @Tennessee Win
Week 11 BYE
Week 12: @New York Jets Win
Week 13: vs Minnesota Loss
Week 14: @Miami Win
Week 15: @Pittsburgh Win
Week 16: vs Buffalo Win
Week 17: vs New York Jets Win
Final Record: 12-4
Turmoil in Foxboro be damned: 8th straight AFC Championship appearance, here we come!
