Patriots' Most Anticipated Game: Rivalry or Rodgers?
The New England Patriots enter this season with the third-toughest schedule in the entire NFL.
Starting the year at home against the reigning NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles, New England quite literally gets thrown into the fire following a 8-9 campaign a season ago. But more importantly, they have the opportunity to cement themselves as a contender in the AFC East soon after.
With back-to-back matchups against divisional foes in the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, Bill Belichick's team has the opportunity to jump into a divisional lead early on in the year. However, with new signal caller Aaron Rodgers, New York looks defend home field in this early season matchup.
CBS Sports - in its "Every team's most anticipated game" - says this is one all AFC East fans should have circled on the calendar.
"The Jets will be another nice litmus test for the Patriots after opening with the NFC champion Eagles and the division rival Dolphins," CBS Sports writes. "After a couple games, quarterback Mac Jones entering Week 3 against Robert Saleh and the Jets' top-five scoring defense (18.6 points per game allowed, fourth-best in NFL last season) will provide new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien the opportunity to put a lot on his quarterback's plate against 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner and 2022 First-Team All-Pro Quinnen Williams."
Luckily for Belichick and the Patriots, they have fared well against the four-time MVP despite the small sample size. And with Rodgers getting accustomed to a new roster, New England could break the tie in Week 3.
"Rodgers and Bill Belichick have split their four battles with Rodgers winning the last one in Week 4 in 2022, a 27-24 overtime victory for the Packers at Lambeau Field," CBS Sports writes. "Rodgers has a completion percentage of 57% against Belichick's Patriots defenses, the second-lowest for Rodgers against any team in his Hall of Fame career. This game could mark the start of some regular, fun back-and-forth between two of the best at what they do in NFL history between Belichick and Rodgers."
The teams play at Metlife Stadium on Sep. 24th.
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