The Patriots may have the toughest schedule in the league
NFL schedule makers didn't do the New England Patriots any favors when they released team schedules earlier this month. The Tom Brady-less Patriots apparently have the toughest strength of schedule in the league.
.@Patriots have the toughest strength of schedule entering 2020 based on 2019 opponents’ record (.537 win %)— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) May 7, 2020
1st time w/ toughest SOS entering season in Belichick era
Top 10 toughest SOS in 5 of 9 Super Bowl seasons since 2001
Easiest SOS twice in Belichick era (2008, 2012)
For week one, the Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. The odds are favoring the Patriots by 6.5 points” in that opening match-up. After that they head to Seattle to take on Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Here is the full 2020 New England Patriots schedule:
Regular Season Schedule
Week 1 Sun, Sep 13 Dolphins at Patriots, 1:00 PM
Week 2 Sun, Sep 20 Patriots at Seahawks, 8:20 PM
Week 3 Sun, Sep 27 Raiders at Patriots, 1:00 PM
Week 4 Sun, Oct 4 Patriots at Chiefs, 4:25 PM
Week 5 Sun, Oct 11 Broncos at Patriots, 1:00 PM
Week 6 --- Bye ---
Week 7 Sun, Oct 25 49ers at Patriots, 4:25 PM
Week 8 Sun, Nov 1 Patriots at Bills, 1:00 PM
Week 9 Mon, Nov 9 Patriots at Jets, 8:15 PM
Week 10 Sun, Nov 15 Ravens at Patriots, 8:20 PM
Week 11 Sun, Nov 22 Patriots at Texans, 1:00 PM
Week 12 Sun, Nov 29 Cardinals at Patriots, 1:00 PM
Week 13 Sun, Dec 6 Patriots at Chargers, 4:25 PM
Week 14 Thu, Dec 10 Patriots at Rams, 8:20 PM
Week 15 Sun, Dec 20 Patriots at Dolphins, 1:00 PM
Week 16 Mon, Dec 28 Bills at Patriots, 8:15 PM
Week 17 Sun, Jan 3 Jets at Patriots, 1:00 PM
All eyes will be on Jarrett Stidham this preseason; |
Bill Belichick and the Pats will have a rematch with 2018 Super Bowl foe the Rams in Week 14 as well as last year's NFC Champion the San Francisco 49ers in week 7. Second year quarterback Jarrett Stidham will be thrust into the spotlight facing reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes in Week 4 and regular season MVL Lamar Jackson in Week 10. Of course Stidham could lose the job to Brian Hoyer in training camp. Let's hope that's not the case.
Josh McDaniels and Belichick are likely excited about the challenge of proving the doubters wrong. If the Patriots offense performs well in 2020 it would only increase the accolades for the team's long time offensive coordinator and head coach.
Related: Patriots officially release 2020 schedule
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