Here is the Patriots' 2020 schedule, which has almost zero chance of being played as-is due to the pandemic. But, whatever...
Here are my general thoughts on the schedule, and then we'll get into the game by game thoughts:
- Rough early-season bye on Oct. 18. That means, if the Patriots go to the Super Bowl, they could play 15 straight weeks if the pre-Super Bowl break is eliminated. Fourteen straight games in any event.
- Two rough road trips to start the season: Week 2 at Seattle, Week 4 at Kansas City. That's brutal going East to West twice in the first four games. But if there are no fans in the stands, that helps the Patriots immensely.
- Niners at home after the bye is perfect timing.
- Ravens on a short week is brutal.
- Good job requesting the two L.A. games back-to-back.
- Patriots get three West Coast/Mountain teams (Raiders, Broncos, Cardinals) at home at 1 p.m. That's a big plus.
- Amazing they have five primetime games. Just the hint of the Patriots' possible demise is must-see TV.
- Patriots face Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray in consecutive games. Hope they have their track shoes.
- Week 2-4 with the Raiders in between will be a tough stretch. Niners-Bills back to back is tough. The season will be made or broken starting with the Ravens on Nov. 15 through the Bills at home at Dec. 20. The Ravens, Texans, Cardinals, Chargers, Rams, Dolphins and Bills should all be decent this season.
- Overall, a fairly balanced schedule.
PRESEASON
REGULAR SEASON
WEEK 1, Sept. 13th: Dolphins at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Jarrett
Stidham
Tua
Tagovailoa
Ryan
Fitzpatrick
Brian
Flores
Kyle Van Noy
Elandon Roberts
WEEK 2, Sept. 20th (Sunday Night): Patriots at Seattle, 8:20 p.m.
Congrats Stid, for earning the starting spot for the Patriots — you are rewarded in back-to-back weeks with a former Patriots defensive coordinator with some ex-teammates, and your first road game is in the toughest road venue in the NFL (if fans are allowed) ... on Sunday Night Football.
Welcome to the NFL, Stid The Kid.
WEEK 3, Sept. 27th: Raiders at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Brian Hoyer
WEEK 4, Oct. 4th: Patriots at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.
WEEK 5, Oct. 11th: Broncos at Patriots, 1 p.m.
WEEK 6, Oct. 18th: BYE WEEK
WEEK 7, Oct. 25th: 49ers at Patriots, 4:25 p.m.
WEEK 8, Nov. 1st: Patriots at Bills, 1 p.m.
WEEK 9, Nov. 9th (Monday Night): Patriots at Jets, 8 p.m.
WEEK 10, Nov. 15th (Sunday Night): Ravens at Patriots, 8:30 p.m.
Lamar
Jackson
WEEK 11, Nov. 22nd: Patriots at Houston, 1 p.m.
Deshaun
Watson
WEEK 12, Nov. 29th: Cardinals at Patriots, 1 p.m.
WEEK 13, Dec. 6th: Patriots at Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
WEEK 14, Dec. 10th (Thursday Night): Patriots at Rams, 8:20 p.m.
Sean
McVay
WEEK 15, Dec. 20th: Patriots at Dolphins, 1 p.m.
WEEK 16, Dec. 28th (Monday Night): Bills at Patriots, 8:15 p.m.
WEEK 17, Jan. 3rd: Jets at Patriots, 1 p.m.
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And, if you wanted it, here is the schedule for Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the Bucs:
