Dream Teams: Three Opponents Fans Wish Were on Patriots Schedule
Last week the New England Patriots learned their full 2023 regular season schedule. It's a slate that, in addition to the three other AFC East teams, will include matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.
Still, there are a few teams not on the 2023 schedule that would have been intriguing matchups for the Patriots.
Here's our top three:
Minnesota Vikings
A year ago, the Patriots lost 33-26 at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thanksgiving, one of the better games of the 2022 NFL season. In addition to getting a rematch of that game, there are also a few Patriots connections on the Vikings coaching staff. Head coach Kevin O'Connell spent the 2008 season as a backup quarterback for the Patriots. And new Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores spent 11 years on Bill Belichick's staff in New England before becoming the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2019. There's also, of course, the added narrative of Belichick accidentally revealing to Flores via text that the New York Giants planned to hire Brian Daboll as their head coach before the 2022 season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Doug Pederson's staff in Philadelphia outcoached Belichick's in Super Bowl LII, one of the better games in NFL history. From that perspective, he and Belichick will always be tied together. Now entering his second season as the head coach in Jacksonville, Pederson has the Jaguars ascending, thanks in large part to inheriting a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. The contrast between Lawrence and Mac Jones would be interesting to see, as the Patriots try to determine if they themselves have their long-term answer at quarterback.
Carolina Panthers
Belichick's success against rookie quarterbacks is well-documented, so the matchup between his defense and No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young would be fun to watch. Additionally, new Panthers head coach Frank Reich was the offensive coordinator for the Eagles when they hung 41 points on the Patriots in the aforementioned Super Bowl LII.
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