{"id":47104,"date":"2018-08-14T08:34:01","date_gmt":"2018-08-14T12:34:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=47104"},"modified":"2018-08-25T12:41:36","modified_gmt":"2018-08-25T16:41:36","slug":"new-england-patriots-four-most-difficult-games-of-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/08\/14\/new-england-patriots-four-most-difficult-games-of-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots Four Most Difficult Games of 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

With just over a month to go until the regular season kicks off, analysts are hard at work publishing their predictions for the New England Patriots<\/a> final 53-man roster<\/a> in advance. To add to the anticipation, we thought it would be good to talk about the team\u2019s 2018 schedule. Our own David Latham<\/strong> took an exploratory dive<\/a> into each of the Patriots games this year, but this one will take a deeper look at the Patriots four most difficult games this year.<\/p>\n

New England Patriots Four Most Difficult Games of the\u00a0 2018 Season<\/h1>\n

According to CBS Sports<\/a>, the Patriots strength of schedule is actually leaning towards the easier side of the scale. In addition to the usual AFC East matchups against the Miami Dolphins<\/a>, Buffalo Bills<\/a>, and New York Jets<\/a>, the team\u2019s interconference matchups will pit them against the AFC South and the NFC North (with games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs mixed in as well).<\/p>\n

Given the continued struggles of New England\u2019s AFC East rivals, it\u2019s fair to say that the Patriots will likely sweep<\/a> at least two of their rivals (my money\u2019s on the Bills and the Jets), with the Dolphins squeaking out one win during their Week 14 home game. Picture this:<\/em> The score is tied, the clock is ticking, and who else but Danny Amendola<\/a><\/strong> reels in the same kind of game-saving touchdown he was known for in New England. Did I open a wound there? Can you feel the betrayal?<\/p>\n

Outside of the division, let\u2019s take a look at the four hardest upcoming games for the New England Patriots.<\/p>\n

1. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This matchup seems to be making everyone\u2019s list, and for good reason. The Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> very nearly won the AFC Championship last year. Had it not been for \u201cPlayoff\u201d Amendola, Blake Bortles<\/a><\/strong> probably would have squeaked his way into Super Bowl LII.<\/p>\n

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WHAT A CATCH BY @DannyAmendola<\/a>!!<\/p>\n

It's a @Patriots<\/a> TOUCHDOWN!#JAXvsNE<\/a> #NFLPlayoffs<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/ByRD4pwMBa<\/a><\/p>\n

— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n