Reaction: Five Thoughts on the Patriots 2015 Schedule

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots got their first look at the 2015 regular season schedule earlier this week.

We knew the opponents, but as a fan and analyst it's always exciting to see when the team you follow plays certain games. Here's the schedule and some thoughts below. --

2015 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1 Sept. 10 vs Pittsburgh at 8:30 p.m. on NBC (Thursday Night Football)

Week 2 Sept. 20 at Buffalo at 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Week 3 Sept. 27 vs Jacksonville at 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Week 4 Bye Week

Week 5 Oct. 11 at Dallas at 4:25 p.m. on CBS

Week 6 Oct. 18 at Indianapolis at 8:30 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

Week 7 Oct. 25 vs NY Jets at 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Week 8 Oct. 29 vs Miami at 8:30 p.m. on NFL Network (Thursday Night Football)

Week 9 Nov. 8 vs Washington at 1:00 p.m. on Fox

Week 10 Nov. 15 at NY Giants at 4:25 p.m. on CBS

Week 11 Nov. 23 vs Buffalo at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN (Monday Night Football)

Week 12 Nov. 29 at Denver at 8:30 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

Week 13 Dec. 6 vs Philadelphia at 4:25 p.m. on Fox

Week 14 Dec. 13 at Houston at 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Week 15 Dec. 20 vs Tennessee at 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Week 16 Dec. 27 at NY Jets at 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Week 17 Jan. 03 at Miami at 1:00 p.m. on CBS

Thoughts:

- At first glance, the schedule sets up very favorable for the Patriots. In terms of opponents, it's relatively easy, at least on paper. When you look at the opponents to start and end the season, the team should be able to capitalize as they attempt to make another title run.

- The Steelers were the rumored opening day opponent for quite some time, so it wasn't a shock when the schedule was released. It makes a lot of sense, with the league drumming up "Super Bowl 50" hard to argue with two of the most successful franchises in it's history.

With Pittsburgh running back Le'Veon Bell suspended for the first three games of the season, that's one less headache New England will have to deal with to start the year and a big loss for the Steelers. We're still a long ways away, but you know Gillette will be rocking when the banner is dropped on opening night.

- Two back-to-back stretches jump out when looking over the schedule. Week 5 and week 6, when the Patriots travel to Dallas then to Indianapolis is the first. Two of the tougher opponents, both on the road, and the Colts will be looking to establish themselves as true AFC contenders.

The next back-t0-back stretch occurs in weeks 12 and 13, traveling to Denver first and then returning home for a showdown with Chip Kelly's Eagles. Not only are both opponents tough, it will come at a critical time as the team jockeys for playoff position. Four of New England's last six games are on the road.

- The week four bye is unfortunate. It's always more beneficial to a team, from this viewpoint, to have a break later in the season. After a few manageable games to start the year, it should give the team an opportunity to prepare for their first real challenges the following weeks.

- I thought about doing an early "Win" or "Loss" prediction for each game, but we'll get to that before training camp. For now, let's just look at the season as a whole. Based on the current roster, granted more changed are on the way, it looks like the Pats should be able to win 12 games.

It's hard to imagine the team losing more than four games given the opponents and how the team finished last season. If New England had less question marks in the defensive backfield, I'd feel even more confident in that statement. Like I said previously, though, we'll save a full prediction until the roster is more settled.

Overall it's a favorable schedule with five primetime match-ups. Patriots fans will be counting down the days to drop the banner and open up the 2015 NFL season, but first we'll turn our attention to the NFL draft this week.

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