The New England Patriots face the eighth toughest NFL schedule for the upcoming 2014 season, but it should serve as a good test to see what the team is capable of. The New England Patriots will open their upcoming season on the road for the fourth consecutive year (second in three years in Miami) and will not play at home until Week Three. The Patriots schedule was likely created based off of the AFC Championship loss in Denver, being the team's first road playoff game since 2006 and wanted to challenge the team to be better away from Gillette Stadium. Here is an inside look of analysis and predictions of the Patriots' 2014 season.
@Miami Dolphins
The New England Patriots have not lost an opening day game since the 2003 season, in which they eventually won their second Super Bowl Championship. Look for that trend to continue, as the Patriots look to make an opening day statement to remind the rest of the NFL who is still the best team in the NFL. The Patriots will go down to a hot and humid Miami with a promising victory over the Fins' while avenging last seasons' 24-20 road loss to the Fins. The Patriots will introduce many new key additions to the team, including receiver Brandon Lafell, and 'lockdown' cornerback Darrelle Revis will help the revamped Patriots defense make great first impressions.
What to look for:
Darrelle Revis vs. Mike Wallace matchup. Danny Amendola has much to improve coming off a disappointing 2013 season, look for the Brady-Amendola combo to kick into high gear. Patriots win 38-13.
@Minnesota Vikings
Teams with little chance to upset New England possess 'nothing to lose' attitude as their best attack to win. The Patriots have faced hungry, young teams every year that give the Pats everything they can handle. The Patriots lost to such opponents like the Cleveland Browns in 2010 34-14, lost 34-31 to the Buffalo Bills in 2011, lost 24-23 to the Seattle Seahawks in 2012. The Vikings will be no different as they will give the Patriots all they can handle and will find a way to pull off a huge upset victory. The Patriots will suffer the early season loss that will either make or break the team, however, it will definitely motivate them which is bad news for the Oakland Raiders. Vikings win close back-and-forth scoring battle 27-24.
What to look for:
Darrelle Revis will struggle as will the Patriots defensive and special teams units. Adrian Peterson will have a monster game from beginning to end, putting the game out of reach for a comeback. Matt Cassel will be the starter and will give the Patriots a glance of his 2008 self.
Oakland Raiders
Patriots open their 2014 season at home in week 3 because of the ridiculous job by the NFL and the Patriots owner with creating their season schedule. Regardless, this should be an hard fought victory as the Patriots will face two consecutive tests on 1000+ mile road games. The Patriots will be eager to play at home in front of the New England faithful fans. This, however will not be as easy as many assume, given the opponents, who spent the offseason signing veterans of many skill positions to the team including former New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, and former Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub among others. The Raiders are predicted to be an up-and-coming team ready to finally make a playoff push and challenge the Denver Broncos in the AFC West division, so they will have a "nothing to lose attitude" when approaching this game.
What to look for:
The Patriots-Raiders game is likely to change from a 1:00 p.m. time slot to 4:25 p.m. because the Raiders will be on a two-game win streak and it will create anticipation around the NFL as to if the team will be able to have a huge upset road victory over the Pats. Expect alot of media hype and anticipation heading into this week 3 matchup. Patriots win in dramatic fashion 31-27.
@Kansas City Chiefs
Expect Arrowhead Stadium to be loud and 'rockin' on Monday Night Football! Tight end Rob Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes during the last meeting between these two teams during a 34-3 victory on Monday Night Football at Gillette Stadium, so expect Deja-vu! Look for the Brady-Gronkowski connection to be among the offensive highlight reel for the Pats.
Although the Chiefs plummeted to mediocrity towards the end of the 2013 season, they began the season with a 9-0 record and they were among the best teams in the NFL, defeating some pretty good teams as well. I predict the Chiefs will make a critical mistake on special teams during the fourth quarter that will change the outcome of the game.
No final score predictions yet.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals will come into Foxboro and get outcoached, outplayed, and outscored by a superior team on national television. The last time the two teams faced, New England possessed one of the best defenses in the NFL (seems hard to remember) and had one of their worst offensive performances of 2013 as they failed to score a touchdown for the first time since week 2 in 2009. The Patriots lost 13-6 thanks to a late fourth down touchdown run by former Patriot running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
What to look for:
Tom Brady will have a very productive day as he will look for revenge after the Bengals prevented him from tying a Drew Brees touchdown record of 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass last season. Tom Brady had 53 consecutive games before the Bengals ended his streak. Darrelle Revis will 'shutdown' A.J. Green and have a productive day as well. Chandler Jones will get heavy pressure on Dalton all night long as the Patriots win 31-10.
@Buffalo Bills
After being drafted in 2010, former Patriots linebacker, Brandon Spikes ended his tenure in New England in a very negative way. He was inconsistent in 2013 and had injury issues that prevented him from reaching all-pro form as well and failed to play in the postseason because issues within the organization. It was reported that he had missed a team meeting and was placed on injured reserve as a result, publicly lashing out at the team that drafted him.
What to look for:
Stevie Johnson vs. Darrelle Revis. Brandon Spikes will have a very productive game against his former team. Tom Brady will have an average performance but he will be stymied by heavy pressure with Spikes giving Buffalo defense inside information on the 15-year veteran and how vulnerable he is becoming. Brady will struggle in the second and third quarter but will come alive in the fourth quarter in time to help lead the Patriots to a victory. This game will be a revenge game for Spikes as he will record over 10 tackles, record a fumble and a sack of Tom Brady. This game will be a struggle for the Patriots after halftime but they will come alive in the fourth quarter. Patriots win 24-21.
New York Jets
Patriots-Jets always serves as an entertaining, hyped up matchup and 2014 should be no different as the lowly Jets will become surprising playoff contenders that will challenge the Patriots all season long. The Jets acquired veteran quarterback Michael Vick, receiver Erik Decker, running back Chris Johnson and some other key veterans that will help the team become a contender. Don't expect an automatic blowout in 2014, the Jets will have the same 'nothing to lose' attitude they've always had during their matchups against the Patriots. It will not be easy in the first half as the Jets will penetrate heavy pressure on Tom Brady, but the future hall-of-fame quarterback will bounce back in the second half.
What to look for:
Darrelle Revis will avenge his former team for dumping him because of his injury suffered that ended his 2012 season. Rookie tight end Justin Jones and Dominique Easley will play a vital role for the Patriots during the Thursday Night Football matchup. Boston-New York rivalry will be renewed as Darrelle Revis joins the team that he's hated and rivaled throughout his entire NFL career since 2007. Eric Decker will visit Revis Island. Revis will indeed get his revenge on the New York Jets and will have a couple of interceptions including a pick six to put the nail in the coffin on this victory. Patriots win 34-14.
Chicago Bears
The Patriots matchup well against the Chicago Bears and regardless of where the game is located, the Patriots will have a fairly easy time defeating the Bears. The Patriots have a better core of players at the skill position and will take advantage and exploit matchups between Julian Edelman and Bears cornerback Tim Jennings.
What to look for:
Darrelle Revis will matchup well with Brandon Marshall. Patriots win 38-20.
Denver Broncos
"Every Battle Is Won Before It Is Fought" - Sun Tzu.
During the 2014 offseason, the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots made a series of transactions and signings that made them both among the best in the NFL heading into 2014. Both teams remain the superior powers in the NFL and will be super bowl contenders as well. But...The New England Patriots will finally finish the season the same way they finished the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons!
During the 2001, 2003, and 2004 seasons, the matchups against the Indianapolis Colts gave them the confidence and motivation they needed to eventually become champions. The Patriots lived for the matchups against the Colts and look for the same intensity level to be brought back.
What to look for:
Peyton Manning will struggle immediately following two consecutive scoring drives that puts the Broncos up 14-0. Darrelle Revis will help New England's defense shut down the Denver Broncos offense. Patriots win 24-17. A crucial drop and catch will change the outcome of the game in the fourth quarter.
@Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts had a very solid season in 2013, going 11-5 and recording victories against some of the best teams in the NFL throughout the season including the Seahawks, Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs. The Colts recording the greatest comeback victory in NFL history during the wildcard playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs after being down 38-10, the Colts came back and won 45-44. They were eliminated one week later by the New England Patriots 43-22 behind a dominant performance by the Patriots running offense and defense. This is also the Patriots' first time playing in Indianapolis since their last second, super bowl defeat by the New York Giants.
What to look for:
The Patriots will have a solid defensive performance and a struggle on offense. Rookie sensation T.Y. Hilton will have an average performance in his second game against the Pats, as he will draw coverage from third year veteran Alfonzo Dennard, while Revis takes care of Reggie Wayne. The Colts will have a chip on their shoulders and look to enact revenge on the Patriots and kick start the Luck-Brady rivalry that has been one sided so far as the Patriots outscored the Colts 102-46 in the last two meetings in Foxboro. The Patriots will win a very close, back and forth battle, 27-24.
Detroit Lions
The Patriots have been beaten up and embarrassed several times in the last few years by the Detroit Lions. Fortunately for the Pats, those beatings came in the preseason with Brady playing very few snaps. Although the Lions outscored the Patriots 75-19 during those matchups, the Patriots have a better core of players and veterans at the critical skill positions that will help them in this matchup. Brady will have all day to throw the ball as his offensive line will have a great performance against one of the NFL's most vaunted defensive fronts.
What to look for:
Rob Ninkovich will have a great game along with the entire Patriots defensive line, as the veteran presence will be too much to handle for the Lions' offensive front. Darrelle Revis vs. Calvin Johnson matchup will be important all day long as it will help decide the outcome of the game. Rob Gronkowski will have a great offensive output as well as receiver Brandon Lafell. New Lions head coach Jim Caldwell will draw up a great game plan to attack the Patriots defense but it will only work based on the Johnson vs. Revis matchup. Lions tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria will have good offensive performances as well as the game features a head-to-head quarterback duel between Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford. Patriots win 37-16.
@Green Bay Packers
The Tom Brady-Aaron Rodgers head to head quarterback matchup never happened during the last meeting between the Packers and Patriots in 2010. The Patriots won 31-27, while the Packers used that game as motivation that lead them to a super bowl victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tom Brady will remind the NFL who he is and why he lives with a huge chip on his shoulder.
What to look for: The Edelman-Amendola combo will have a very productive night and will help move the chains in key situations as the Patriots will want to play keep away with Aaron Rodgers running the show. Rob Gronkowski will have a monster game for the Pats as well. Patriots have their most complete and dominating road victory of the season. Patriots win 35-20.
@San Diego Chargers
The Patriots have won the last three matchups against the San Diego Chargers but have not played them since the 2011 season. The Chargers will be a playoff contender on the rise and will look to record a huge upset over their AFC rivals. The Chargers play at home in San Diego while the Patriots will have fatigue issues after two consecutive long road trips.
What to look for:
Danny Woodhead will have a monster game as he will have a taste of revenge on his mind for not being resigned by the Patriots last season. The Patriots missed out on a gem, after Woodhead recorded over 100 receptions last season in building a connection with Philip Rivers. San Diego wins 34-24.
Miami Dolphins
The Patriots will have an up and down day as the Dolphins will give them all they can handle. The Patriots will likely use this close struggle as a warning and a wake up call to keep their focus. The Patriots will be a few mistakes away from missing out on a first round bye and #1 seed in the playoffs, and Coach Belichick will remind them of this by taking their anger and aggression out on the New York Jets. Patriots win 27-24.
@New York Jets
By now, we all know the Darrelle Revis story with being cut by the Jets, and acquired by the Patriots. Darrelle Revis has some unfinished business as he heads to his old home as a New England Patriot. Revis Island back in New York! Look for newly acquired Eric Decker to be 'shut down' by Revis as well.
What to look for:
Tom Brady will have a stellar performance and will remind the rest of the NFL why he loathes the New York Jets so much. Look for the Brady-Gronkowski connection to be back as the two are working towards a new NFL record for touchdown receptions by a tight end. Revis will have an outstanding performance and will give his old team and fans one last middle finger for the season. Patriots win 38-10.
Buffalo Bills
The Patriots ended their season at home against the Buffalo Bills in two of the past three years. Last season, the Patriots running offense was sparked by Legarrett Blount during a big rain storm. The Patriots will be looking to secure a first round bye week in the upcoming playoffs like always, this year they will have the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs over the Denver Broncos.
What to look for: Tom Brady will play only three quarters of this game as the game will be a blowout in the Patriots advantage. Look for the rookies to have big games as they try to make a name for themselves heading into the postseason. Coach Belichick will rest his starters in the second half. Patriots win 38-0.