Strength of schedule, or lack thereof early on

On one hand, it is a definite plus for a team that traditionally gets stronger late in the year to have an undeniably easy early schedule. (Someone WILL deny it, but let's save that for another discussion) As a fan who wants them to ultimately succeed, this is a huge plus.

On the other hand, does anyone else feel like me, dying to see what this team does against a strong opponent, what the D can do against an offense that has been clicking, and how much grit they show, other than the usual stalwarts, in a close game?

If it were not for needing time to get the O line patched up, that part of me would love it if we were playing Kansas City next week.

Yes I am with you. 8-0 is easy. The next 8 not so much.

They're probably going to set a record for least points allowed.... The competition is pretty bad out there for 2/3rds of the league

It helps to have a light schedule at the start of the season until the guys gel together 100%.

Star56 said:

Yes I am with you. 8-0 is easy. The next 8 not so much.

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2nd half of the season (Not in order):

Vs Dallas, KC, Cleveland
@ Philly, Baltimore, Houston

That's just a brutal stretch of games.

The problem is we really don’t know which teams are actually any good until Week 9. KC and Dallas are probably the toughest games yet.

thecore762 said:

It helps to have a light schedule at the start of the season until the guys gel together 100%.

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Or get healthy.

That only matters for pre season, we'll know the reality now. Big Ben and Brees both left the games today, if they miss significant time, there goes those as being tough games for teams playing them the next few weeks or so, but back in April it was a different story. Foles going down, although the Minshew kid has played well, changes that dynamic etc...

My reply to the "easy schedule" is we have played a 1st place schedule for 16 out of the past 18 years.

The Patriots have 8 national games in a row

Beethree said:

On one hand, it is a definite plus for a team that traditionally gets stronger late in the year to have an undeniably easy early schedule. (Someone WILL deny it, but let's save that for another discussion) As a fan who wants them to ultimately succeed, this is a huge plus.

On the other hand, does anyone else feel like me, dying to see what this team does against a strong opponent, what the D can do against an offense that has been clicking, and how much grit they show, other than the usual stalwarts, in a close game?

If it were not for needing time to get the O line patched up, that part of me would love it if we were playing Kansas City next week.

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You play who shows up when they show up. Eventually we will face the best teams.

Patstastic said:

2nd half of the season (Not in order):

Vs Dallas, KC, Cleveland
@ Philly, Baltimore, Houston

That's just a brutal stretch of games.

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I think we can take Dallas, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Houston. The Philly and KC games will be tough, and worst comes to worst, we can go 14-2.

They can only play who they are scheduled to play. The difference right now is that they are actually making bad teams look bad, and that has me very hopeful for the tougher stretch in the schedule.

Patstastic said:

2nd half of the season (Not in order):

Vs Dallas, KC, Cleveland
@ Philly, Baltimore, Houston

That's just a brutal stretch of games.

Click to expand...

Dallas looks good. KC are what they are. Cleveland has Kitchens as their HC and they remind me of a much less talented 98 Skins after last week, I however reserve the right to change my mind.

Philly is good, but are only the annual Wentz injury away from being irrelevant. Baltimore, I am not sold on them. Smoke and mirrors in my opinion after playing two teams they are clearly more talented than and just as young. I believe their playoff hopes depend on Ben's injury and Cleveland getting their **** together or not.

Houston? Wheres Pedro when we need him "we are their daddy". Maybe they can where their letter jackets to the team dinner at the house.

But it's only week 2.

I do want to see what they can do against a really good team, but I can wait. I like that they'll be playing presumably lesser teams these next few weeks to fine tune and hopefully get healthier.

AndyJohnson said:

You play who shows up when they show up. Eventually we will face the best teams.

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And more to the point they will have to face the Pats, doubt they are in any hurry

TommyBrady12 said:

I think we can take Dallas, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Houston. The Philly and KC games will be tough, and worst comes to worst, we can go 14-2.

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True. But if we lose to KC, and we both end up 14-2, a potential rematch is back in Arrowhead.

Chiefs schedule ( Not in order):

Vs Oakland, Denver, Baltimore, Green Bay, Minnesota, Chargers, Texans, Colts.

@ Chargers, Bears, Pats, Denver, Titans, Lions.

Patstastic said:

2nd half of the season (Not in order):

Vs Dallas, KC, Cleveland
@ Philly, Baltimore, Houston

That's just a brutal stretch of games.

Click to expand...

I'm confident about the home games.

@Philly- will Wentz still be healthy?
@Houston- has Brady ever lost against Houston?
@ Baltimore- not easy, but this is against a 2nd year QB so I like our chances with this defense.

This feels very similar to 2015. I just hope the injury bug does not hit and everyone stays healthy.

Patstastic said:

2nd half of the season (Not in order):

Vs Dallas, KC, Cleveland
@ Philly, Baltimore, Houston

That's just a brutal stretch of games.

Click to expand...

Only KC and Philly (because away) stands out here to be honest.

All I know for sure is . . . this team is 2-0, won by a combined score of 76-3 and played pretty mediocre overall. They are nowhere near what they will be in two months, barring injuries.