During July, the Last Word on Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the New England Patriots most difficult games are the focus.
New England Patriots Most Difficult Games in 2016
1. Week 1 at Arizona Cardinals
The Patriots have not begun a season without Tom Brady under center since 2001. The Cardinals are coming off an NFC Championship birth. Combine that with the best defensive line in the conference, and the Patriots have problems. Stalwart defensive tackle and team captain Calais Campbell is licking his chops in anticipation for Jimmy Garoppolo. Former Patriot sack leader Chandler Jones is also looking forward to facing his old teammates. In his first start, Garoppolo will face the biggest test of his football career. The Cardinals only lost two games at home last regular season, and the stakes will be raised in a possible postseason preview. Carson Palmer is coming off a career year, and looks to back up his defense by keeping them rested. There are little things to look forward to in this game for Patriots fans. Stranger things have happened, but not many.
2. Week 15 at Denver Broncos
Denver proved to be New England’s kryptonite last season. They beat them twice on the way to a number one seed and the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Their defense, led by Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, was hands down the best in the game last year. Statistically, they made a case to be one of the best ever. Stout against the run and the pass, the Broncos derailed the 2015 Patriots, stuffing Brady when it mattered most on a number of occasions. They lack a true signal-caller on offense, but their defense playing in front of a Mile High City crowd is enough to make up for that. Brady will be forced to drop back on the majority of plays, spelling trouble for New England.
3. Week 10 vs Seattle Seahawks
The Super Bowl XLIX rematch will be watched by millions in a futile attempt to re-create the emotional rollercoaster that was one of the greatest games in league history. Not much matters in terms of standings for this game. But the strong personalities on two excellent teams will make it a flashy contest. Russell Wilson and $46 million dollar man Doug Baldwin look to duplicate their success from two Februarys ago through the air, as does New England. But two top-tier defenses will be on display, which projects this as a low-scoring, strategic bout. The Seahawks may be the most well-rounded team in the NFL. Game planning for them is a tall task for any coach. Add in the revenge factor, and Seattle can be expected to throw the entire kitchen sink at Brady and Belichick.
4. Week 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers possess the most potent offense the Patriots will see in the regular season. Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown fell 28-21 to the Pats in Week 1 of last season, but this mathcup will be played at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh passing duo, along with superb running back Le’Veon Bell, look to challenge the Patriots for the AFC crown this year. But a possible suspension waits in the wings for Bell, who missed most of last year with a knee injury. This meeting of two powerhouses will likely feature defense over offense, which will work in Pittsburgh’s favor if they get to Brady early in the game.
5. Week 4 vs Buffalo Bills
Aside from the inaugural week, this game will be the toughest without Tom Brady. Rex Ryan is certainly looking forward to keeping Jimmy Garoppolo on his toes (or his back) for much of the game. Buffalo has had little success in Foxboro during the Tom Brady era, winning only one game there in the last 15 seasons. But in Brady’s absence, they will certainly seek a change of fortune. Garoppolo will have to stay standing long enough to attack Buffalo’s depleted secondary, but Ryan’s fierce defensive front will have alternate plans.
6. Week 14 vs Baltimore Ravens
Patriots-Ravens has developed into one of the most heated rivalries in the AFC. The Patriots often find a way, but not before pleasantries and penalty flags fly for 60 minutes. Joe Flacco has been able to best the Patriots secondary at times, and Steve Smith vs. Malcolm Butler will be a point of interest throughout the game. The Ravens can solve the Patriots’ riddles, and even in Foxboro, Tom Brady and the Patriots offense will need to be sharp early and often to ensure a win. Oh, and the playoffs are within shouting distance.
7. Week 3 vs Houston Texans
The Patriots will play their third straight game without Tom Brady in Week 3 at home against Houston. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien was on the Patriots staff from 2007-2011, and is one of only a few head coaches who have inside knowledge of Bill Belichick’s strategies. J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and old friend Vince Wilfork can be counted on to harass the Patriots for four quarters. But if the Patriots defense holds strong against Brock Osweiler, there are holes in the middle of Houston’s secondary waiting to be exploited.
8. Week 8 at Buffalo Bills
The annual game in Buffalo is the most consistent challenge the Patriots have from year to year. Long-time offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia has come out of retirement, but his group remains the biggest question for the Patriots offense. On the other side, it will be business as usual for Rex Ryan. He will blitz his linebackers all game against Brady, sometimes on all three downs. But if Brady can find time to look downfield, the Patriots have a significant edge.
Check out the New England Patriots Easiest Games in 2016.
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