Why a hot start is important for the Patriots.

In just a few days, Patriots fans will finally get to see some Patriot football. The Pats will take on the Eagles Aug 9th in a game that will be televised live on NFL Network. It'll be the first game action look at this new look team thanks to the off-season. The next week, they take on the Bucs, then Lions and finally the Giants. It's all in preparation to what we'll have to wait until Sept 8th to see, and that's the opening kickoff in Buffalo. But these games are extremely important because once the season starts, it'll show no feelings.

After the Patriots take on the Bills in Buffalo Sept 8th, they head home for a Thursday night game against the Jets. Right away, two division games in four days. They then stay home to face a new look Bucs team, and then play on the road against two playoff teams from last year, the Falcons and Bengals and then the Saints For those keeping score that's 6 games in just a span of 36 days (three of which are on the road), two divisional games, and four straight games against potential playoff teams. Once the first six weeks are over, the Pats have two divisional games again, at the Jets, and home against the new look Dolphins. Then another potential playoff foe, the Steelers, before the Patriots enter their bye week. Once the Patriots return to the field Monday night against the Panthers, they have a short week at home against Denver, then hit the road again to face Houston. Then the Browns next, back to back road games with one being against the defending champions. And the two of the final three games are once again divisional games.

The NFL season is always hard, but with teams around the league becoming better and stronger. With the Patriots window slowly coming to a close. You can see the reason the for the Patriots to start off hot. Especially with the potential of no Gronkowski to start the year, it is vitally important the Patriots start off great because if they stumble out of the gate, they'll have to play catch up later in the season where their schedule gets more and more difficult.