Do you wish our schedule was tougher?

[TheRainMaker]

The NFL is absolute ****, so asking for a more difficult schedule would be really difficult to do. With that said, the Pats were a last place team in 2024, so they get last place schedule. They also get what ever NFC division is on the rotation.

I have to remind posters regularly that the 2001 Pats played only 6 teams with a .500 or better record. 4 out of those 6 games were within their division. Only one team outside their division (Broncos) and one outside of their conference (Rams). Guess what their record was? 2-4 and their only two wins were against division opponents (Jets, Dolphins). If they would've had a more difficult schedule, they wouldn't have made the playoffs.

Pats got a 1st place schedule in 2002 playing a whopping 12 teams with a .500 or better record and they barely went 9-7 missing the playoffs.

 

[Ring 6]

I get your point, but I also think this team still have some roster deficiencies and I'm happy the schedule is weak enough to hide some so they can make the playoffs.

Defensively...

Hawkins just isn't an NFL starting caliber player and he's past the point of developing. Dugger looks washed up whether it's injury or scheme/role in a non-BB system. Woodson looks like a keeper to develop, but the level of play is average at best right now.

The LB rotation next to Spillane is a bunch of STers/depth caliber pieces. And Spillane himself isn't anything to write home about.

The EDGE rotation outside of Landry/Chaisson is a buncha nothing.

Our interior DL pass rushing duo is spectacular and the depth run stuffers (Tonga, Farmer) are playing well. I do still wonder how that group would hold up against a truly great running team.

Offensively...

Maye looks spectacular but he still is young. Campbell has been a monster at LT right away - still young himself. Onwenu is looking like his old very good but still less than pro bowl self. Everything else on offense I'd say is roughly average or below it for their position/role. I say "role" because at WR for example Diggs is obviously above average but as a "#1 WR" considering his age and injury recovery timeline and that he's only playing half the snaps, I'd say he's an average at best "#1 WR".

So overall i think this roster still needs a lot of work and if they had a strong schedule to "test them" then they might fail it. I'm happy to just make the playoffs. Maybe they continue ascending and come playoff time they look like an actually very good team throughout the roster that could have used more battle testing, but not ready to say that yet.

That’s no different than any other team. Every team has weaknesses. Few teams have a QB as good as we do.

 

[festy1986]

I mean?

They could?

I can't imagine anything more improbable lol

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

@NovaScotiaPatsFan i think the schedules perfect for this year and Maye’s growth. I’m not holding my breath for a playoff win this year (but would be nice). Thing about the schedules is this…it’s the nfl, any team can win each week, especially now with the really low quality we have. One years punching bag becomes good/great the next….see the commanders last year and oh, us this year. . All that said, they DO need to play better teams because it makes em better….

 

[A Defiant Goose]

I can't imagine anything more improbable lol

Tbh I think they can beat anyone in the AFC. NFC I'm not so sure

 

[TheRainMaker]

By the way, 33% of Pats schedule so far has been against teams .500 and above (Steelers and at Bills). They are 1-1 and should be 2-0.

 

[mgteich]

We talk about rebuilding and having a better team in 2026. And we will.
=============
That being said, we now seem likely to win more games in 2025 than in 2026.

 

[mayoclinic]

By the way, 33% of Pats schedule so far has been against teams .500 and above (Steelers and at Bills). They are 1-1 and should be 2-0.

2-1, we also beat the 4-3 Panthers.

Carolina has won 3 in a row and 4/5. In those 4 wins they have outscored Atlanta, Miami, Dallas and the Jets by a combined 100-57.

Their lone loss? 42-13 to NE.

 

[Schmo]

I believe in, "to be the best, you have to beat the best"... but records don't determine that. You also have to, "take care of business."

Whether the 2007 Patriots played the 2007 Giants or the 1985 Bears, they had to win that game. You have to show up and beat the opposition.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

They only won in Buffalo because they followed my gameplan, which was to score more points than the Bills.

I think they followed @SammyBlueCat's plans, too.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The NFL is absolute ****, so asking for a more difficult schedule would be really difficult to do. With that said, the Pats were a last place team in 2024, so they get last place schedule. They also get what ever NFC division is on the rotation.

While the teams are obviously different, every team gets 4 games against first-place finishers, 4 against second-place, etc., plus one more against a team of the same place as them.

So far, it's:
First-place [BUFx2, BAL, TB]: 1-0
Second-place [MIAx2, PIT, ATL]: 1-1
Third-place [JESTx2, CIN, CAR]: 1-0
Fourth-place [CLE, TEN, NO, LV, NYG]: 2-1

 

[PatsFan2]

Buffalo sure does.

 

[DarrylS]

The Patriots "earned" this schedule because they sucked so bad last year. They are learning, once again, how to develop a culture of winning which becomes ingrained in their psyche.
Last year I expected them to lose, this year much less so.
For this fan if it takes an "cupcake" schedule, to develop this culture of winning, so be it...

 

[BobDigital]

Right now I like the easy schedule. I've said all year my goal for this team is to make the playoffs... Maybe win a game or two. 'Or two' was asking a lot and still is. I want this team to get a taste of playoff football so they are ready next year.

As for next year for what kind of schedule I want then.. a balanced once. While I do believe it is important to face hard opponents to be battle tested. You don't want to do it at the expense of your seeding either.

So I want a schedule playing the top trans in the AFC and some layups. Thankfully we have 3 layups most likely locked. Jets x2 and Miami at home.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

Because I'm a massive nerd with WAY too much time on my hands I made this. It shows the combined W/L record of every team each team has beat and lost to, win % for each and an average of the two.



Also, on a completely unrelated topic CAN YOU GUYS BELIEVE I'M SINGLE?!?

 

[yukon cornelius]

much of team development, especially with a new coach establishing a new culture, happens independent of the opponent

 

[Steve102]

Do we wish the schedule was tougher?

 

[patsinthesnow]

The pats might face the bucs with them missing two starting OL, evans & godwin. 13-4 and the #1 seed is possible with this schedule. Having the superbowl window start 1 year early is a good thing.

 

[Dec54]

The Patriots are playing well. It is an exciting season. But.....

.... can we please dial down the hubris in this forum??

To wish for a harder schedule is the most moronic thing I have heard in quite some time.

Why would anyone want a harder schedule for goodness sake. We didn't pick it, you can only play the teams you are given.

 

[Nikolai]

Because I'm a massive nerd with WAY too much time on my hands I made this. It shows the combined W/L record of every team each team has beat and lost to, win % for each and an average of the two.



Also, on a completely unrelated topic CAN YOU GUYS BELIEVE I'M SINGLE?!?

Pretty nice rundown here. Seeing the difference between Win/Loss Opp% could also be informative.

And in a more painful exercise, knowing the record of team when they faced them could also be informative...

I, too, was shockingly single back when I used to do these kinds of analysis, so I get it lol