The NFL has released the New England Patriots schedule, which means that fans of the franchise are officially one step closer to the start of the 2023 season. The 2022 season was one to forget for New England, but can they make a return to the playoffs with a new offensive coordinator?
Welcome to the Patriots retirement house, @devinmccourty. pic.twitter.com/DKPmnDezWA
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 12, 2023
New England Patriots Schedule: Game by Game Predictions
Week 1: vs Philadelphia Eagles
The New England Patriots kick off their schedule in a matchup against the reigning NFC Champions and a roster that has only gotten better over the past few months. The talent disparity between these two teams is pretty dramatic, and that’s without acknowledging the fact that New England’s Achilles heel on defense is mobile quarterbacks. This one could get ugly, fast, but at least we’ll get to see Tom Brady again.
Prediction: Patriots lose, 0-1
Week 2: vs Miami Dolphins
The Patriots have yet to beat Tua Tagovailoa in a game he starts and finishes. In fact, the only time they’ve beaten the Dolphins in the Mac Jones Era came when Miami had to resort to their third-string quarterback, and even then, they only won by two points. Tagovailoa should be healthy for this one, and the Patriots will have a tough time slowing down both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle now that they’re in their second year with Mike McDaniel. The Patriots offense should be better in 2023, but it probably isn’t good enough to keep up with this passing attack.
Prediction: Patriots lose, 0-2
Week 3: at New York Jets
Zach Wilson was the biggest reason the Patriots swept the New York Jets last season. The former second-overall pick seemingly went out of his way to torpedo New York’s offense, and that’s something that Aaron Rodgers will not do. Plus, this team is loaded to the brim with young talent that should only be better in 2023 than they were in 2022. Once again, going from Matt Patricia to Bill O’Brien will help the offense, but the jump in coaching ability won’t be enough to offset the jump in quarterback talent the Jets are receiving.
Prediction: Patriots lose, 0-3
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys
The Patriots face arguably the toughest schedule in football, and that poor luck continues into October. The Dallas Cowboys are one of the best teams in the NFC, and a motivated Dak Prescott should be able to move the ball against the Patriots defense. CeeDee Lamb is still a superstar, and Brandin Cooks and a now-healthy Michael Gallup round out what should be a strong receiving trio. On the defensive side of the ball, Micah Parsons should wreak havoc against an offensive line that is desperately searching for answers at tackle.
Prediction: Patriots lose, 0-4
Week 5: vs New Orleans Saints
The 2023 Patriots are no super team, but their 0-4 record at this point in the schedule projection has more to do with the quality of opponents they’re facing than the team itself. The New Orleans Saints are no super team, and New England should be able to put up a fight here. Derek Carr isn’t a substantial upgrade on Andy Dalton, and the rest of the roster isn’t all that impressive. Finally, the Patriots get into the win column.
Prediction: Patriots win, 1-4
Week 6: at Las Vegas Raiders
The Patriots finally get their chance at revenge following one of the strangest games in recent memory. New England should have beat the Raiders last year, and since that matchup, the Patriots have only gotten better while the Raiders have only gotten worse. As long as nobody tries to lateral the ball, the Patriots should be good here.
Prediction: Patriots win, 2-4
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Week 7: vs Buffalo Bills
Over the past few years, the Patriots have needed literal hurricane-level events to stand any chance against the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, it’s hard to see that changing any time soon. Josh Allen and Mac Jones don’t even look like they’re playing the same position, and even if you don’t account for the quarterback position, the Bills have one of the best rosters in the game. After two decades of dominance, the Patriots now know what it’s like to realize you really don’t stand much of a chance as long as the division rival has an elite quarterback and you don’t.
Prediction: Patriots lose, 2-5
Week 8: at Miami Dolphins
Even when the rosters are more balanced, nothing good ever happens when the Patriots travel down to Miami. The good news is that this game takes place in late October, so the weather shouldn’t be too hot. The bad news is that the Dolphins still have the better team.
Prediction: Patriots lose, 2-6
Week 9: vs Washington Commanders
Once again, I need to reiterate that the Patriots current record at this point in the schedule prediction has more to do with their insane opponents than the team itself. They’re more than capable of handling a mediocre Washington Commanders team led by an inexperienced Sam Howell. It might not be a blowout, but they should win.
Prediction: Patriots win, 3-6
Week 10: vs Indianapolis Colts
This matchup provides another opportunity for the Patriots to earn a win on the schedule. Bill Belichick thrives against rookie quarterbacks and he should be able to limit Anthony Richardson. With the quarterback taken care of, Indianapolis will have to hope that the rest of their roster can carry this team, and they probably can’t. There is a reason this team finished with just four wins, after all.
Prediction: Patriots win, 4-6
Week 12: at New York Giants
Fresh off a bye week, the Patriots should be able to handle business against the New York Giants. This team isn’t nearly as good as their 2022 record would imply, and their ceiling is pretty limited with the underwhelming Daniel Jones leading the charge. Old friend Brian Daboll might help this team overachieve, but given two weeks to prepare, Belichick and company should prevail.
Prediction: Patriots win, 5-6
Week 13: vs Los Angeles Chargers
The Patriots face the unenviable task of trying to stop Justin Herbert with an actual NFL-caliber offensive coordinator. Joe Lombardi’s atrocious scheme combined with a series of injuries limited Herbert last year, but now that he’s healthy and Kellen Moore is in town, Los Angeles should be one of the best teams in football. Once again, it’s hard to imagine the Patriots offense keeping up with this aerial attack.
Prediction: Patriots lose, 5-7
Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Patriots and Steelers are astonishingly similar teams. Both organizations are run by proven, defensive-minded head coaches with meddling offenses led by questionable young quarterbacks. Both teams should have strong defenses, so this matchup probably comes down to home-field advantage. Unfortunately, that gives the Steelers the win in this scenario.
Prediction: Patriots lose, 5-8
Week 15: vs Kansas City Chiefs
It’s Patrick Mahomes versus Mac Jones – do you really need any more analysis here?
Prediction: Patriots lose, 5-9
Week 16: at Denver Broncos
The first year of the Russell Wilson experiment was an unmitigated disaster, and it probably won’t get better in Year 2. Maybe Jarrett Stidham will be under center by this point in the season, but even if he is, Bill Belichick should know how to slow him down.
Prediction: Patriots win, 6-9
Week 17: at Buffalo Bills
The Patriots best chance here is if a winter storm rolls in and makes it impossible to throw the ball. It happened in 2021, so why can’t it happen again?
Prediction: Patriots lose, 6-10
Week 18: vs New York Jets
If this Patriots schedule prediction is accurate, then New England won’t have anything to play for in Week 18. However, they’d still like to end their season on a high note, and if they can send the Jets home without a playoff appearance, that would be a silver lining on the season. Unfortunately, it’s hard to see that happening. Aaron Rodgers should be well adjusted to his new environment by this point, and the talent disparity between these two teams is too large to justify an upset victory prediction.
Final Patriots Schedule Prediction: 6-11
