Patriots Schedule 5 Takeaways: No Easy Way Out
FOXBORO — The New England Patriots 2023 NFL season schedule has been set.
From honoring team legend Tom Brady at their season opener on Sept. 10 to their Week 18 finale against the New York Jets, the Pats face a tough test for their playoff aspirations in the upcoming season.
After a disappointing 8-9 finish outside the playoff window in 2022, New England will look to build upon its strong defensive performance in the pass rush, led by linebacker and team sack leader Matthew Judon (15.5,) who was their lone Pro Bowl selection. New England also produced one AP First-Team All-Pro, in rookie punt returner Marcus Jones, whose role is expected to increase in the upcoming season. The team will also seek offensive improvements under the direction of a new offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien.
With New England’s 2023 map having been officially drawn, here is a look at five takeaways on which to keep a sharp eye on during the season.
1. 2023 Will Be a Tough Road Ahead
For those hoping that the Pats season slate would provide some solace for a team hoping to re-establish itself as a postseason contender, the 2023 schedule might be worrisome. The Patriots are tied with both the Dallas Cowboys for having the third toughest schedule (.549 strength of schedule metric) in the NFL. New England's opponents in 2023 have a combined 127-107-3 record (53.5 winning percentage) from last season. In fact, nine teams with a record of .500 or better. Unfortunately for Pats fans, calling New England’s road ahead a ‘gauntlet’ may actually be a bit understated.
2. Week 1 — vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Trial by Fire?
Philadelphia is set to enter Gillette Stadium with one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. Following their 14-3 season in 2022, which included an appearance in Super Bowl LII, the Eagles appear ready to defend their NFL Championship crown. Philadelphia has added running back D’Andre Swift to an already formidable offense which includes wide receivers A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert. The Pats secondary, led by rookie Christian Gonzalez, will be tested by an explosive collection of skill position players. Still, the Eagles stifling defense will be looking to keep quarterback Mac Jones on his heels. Traditionally, Jones has had his greatest difficulties with aggressively-blitzing teams. The Eagles collected 70 sacks last season, 16 of which came from linebacker Haason Reddick. New England’s new-look offensive line will be face one of the toughest tests of the season in Week 1 against Philadelphia.
3. Week 10 — vs. Indianapolis Colts: “Beieinander!”
A team that travels great distances together, bonds together — or “beieinander,” as translated into German. Following their Week 9 matchup with the Washington Commanders, the Pats will travel overseas to Frankfurt, Germany. Coincidentally, the trip comes at the time in which teams begin to come together for a potential stretch run for the postseason push. The Pats dominated the Colts and quarterback Sam Ehlinger 26-3 n their November meeting during the 2022 season. However, the Colts are expected to have either rookie Anthony Richardson or veteran Gardner Minshew under center by Week 10. As such, the Pats cannot count on having the same type of success. However, the team-building may come from Bill Belichick’s track record of preparing his team for battles abroad. For the Patriots, this game in Germany will mark their first visit to Europe since 2012, when they defeated the then-St. Louis Rams 45-7 at London’s Wembley Stadium. In total, the club has played three games on international soil. Along with their 2012 victory over St. Louis, the Patriots also won their previous matchup in London in 2009 (a 35-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), as well as earning a 33-8 victory over the then-Oakland Raiders at Estadio Azteca in Mexico during 2017. With their bye week set for Week 11, the Pats may return from Europe more “beieinander” than ever.
4. Week 15 — vs. Kansas City Chiefs: The Champs are Coming on Monday Night
Excitement will be high when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs come to town in Week 15. The Patriots last faced the defending champs in October 2020. The Chiefs defeated the Brian Hoyer-Jarrett Stidham led Patriots 26-10, who were without the services of then-quarterback Cam Newton, who was forced to miss the game while in COVID-19 protocol. Mahomes and the Chiefs are among the toughest tests on the schedule for the Pats in 2023. Still, they may find a silver lining in facing Kansas City following their Week 14 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Belichick and company will have 11 days to prepare for the Chiefs’ visit. While it will be less-than-ideal to face the Denver Broncos on short-rest (Week 16, Dec.24), the Pats are undoubtedly glad to have the extra time to prepare for the defending champions.
5. AFC East — No Easy Way Out
During a time in the not-so-distant past, the AFC East was derisively called the ‘AFC Least.’ Of course, nearly two dominant decades of the Belichick-Brady regime gave little hope of contention to the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. However, the tables have turned in 2023. The Pats are considered inferior to each of their divisional counterparts by several national pundits. Making their typically woeful journey to Miami Gardens to take on the Dolphins will occur in Week 8 (Oct. 29), perhaps lessening the impact of the heat and humidity on the cold-weather tested Pats. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have dominated the matchup for the past three seasons, winning three straight division titles. Accordingly, they are once again the favorites to take the crown in 2023. Lastly, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets will make the Patriots 14-game winning streak against ‘gang green’ a bit tougher to maintain. Should the Pats find themselves among the teams contending for a playoff spot heading into the new calendar year, they will likley be facing must-win situations against both the Bills (Week 17, Dec. 31) and their regular-season finale against the Jets at Gillette Stadium.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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