The New England Patriots will be looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2017-2018. Before they can do that, they must beat their schedule. Here’s a breakdown of how they match up against each of their opponents in 2017 outside of the division.
Previewing the 2017 New England Patriots Schedule
Home Opponents
Kansas City Chiefs
The Patriots offense will have a tough time against the Kansas City defense that has Eric Berry and Marcus Peters. However, the Patriots high-powered offense could find a way to beat them.
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers haven’t been a team that could beat the big dogs over the past decade. It’s more likely than not the Patriots will win this game against the Chargers.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons blew a 25 point lead the last time these two played. They’ll also probably suffer from a Super Bowl hangover, something the Patriots haven’t done lately. Don’t be surprised if this game turns out to be a blowout in the Patriots favor.
Carolina Panthers
This is not the same Panthers team that went 15-1 two seasons ago. Cam Newton is not the same quarterback. This will be another game where the Patriots will pull away early and never let up.
Houston Texans
Let’s face it. No matter who Houston’s quarterback is, they just can’t beat the Patriots. They especially can’t beat them in Foxborough. Check off another “W” for the Pats.
Away Opponents
Denver Broncos
The Patriots held Denver to three points in their 2016 meeting, and now the Broncos have no DeMarcus Ware on defense. New England could be looking at a blowout win in the Mile High city.
Oakland Raiders
This is hands down the toughest game on the Patriots schedule. This could easily be a preview of the AFC Championship game. Tom Brady and his high-powered offense against Derek Carr and his high-powered offense. If New England loses one game all season, this would be the one game.
Still, there’s one thing that Oakland doesn’t have that the Patriots do that keep them from matching up evenly: a running game. Carr and Brady could throw for 500 yards each, but the Patriots running game gives them an edge.
New Orleans Saints
New Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks will return to New Orleans to play his former team. That doesn’t matter here. What does matter here is that the Pats will be going up against a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. Chalk up another win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Patriots will have to plan for new Bucaneers receiver DeSean Jackson. They usually don’t face receivers with his type of speed. Outside of that, the Bucs don’t prove much of a challenge for the Patriots.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Many see the Steelers as a threat to the Patriots in the regular season and playoffs, but they’re not. The Patriots have shown that in the last two meetings, Le’Veon Bell or no Bell.
Things may be different with draft picks and free agency, but as of right now, this is how the Patriots match up against each of their opponents in 2017.
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