New England Patriots: Toughest opponent from each conference in 2017
By Stephen Ur
The New England Patriots have dominated the NFL – for the most part – for the last 16 years. However, each season, there is always one tough team for the Patriots in each conference. This year shows no difference.
Toughest Opponent in AFC
Most would think that with all of the moves they have made, the Oakland Raiders would be the biggest competition for the Patriots run for repeat. However, that’s not really the case. Oakland still has a questionable defense with one star in Khalil Mack. The team that gives the Patriots the toughest time in the AFC in 2017 is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh already have their loaded team from 2016. In 2017, they’ll be adding much more talent to their team. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster caught 70 passes for 914 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016 at USC.
Now that Smith-Schuster is in the NFL, he has future hall of fame quarterback Ben Rothelisberger throwing to him. Playing alongside Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers and other emerging stars, Smith-Schuster will put up big numbers and could pose as a threat to New England’s defense when the two teams meet in Week 14.
Martavis Bryant missed all of the 2016 season due to suspension. In 2015, however, he put up great numbers. He caught 50 passes for 765 yards and six touchdowns. With him returning, he too will also be a threat to New England’s defense.
With New England’s offensive line deteriorating over the last few seasons, T.J. Watt will also pose as a big threat. The Wisconsin product recorded 11.5 sacks in 2016. The offensive line will need to watch for him when these two teams meet at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh at the end of the season.
Toughest Opponent in NFC
This category goes beyond the four NFC South teams New England will play in the first seven weeks of the 2017 season. This category goes into which team will be the biggest threat to them should the Patriots make it to Super Bowl LII in Feb. 2018.
Most would think that the Dallas Cowboys would be the biggest threat. Dallas finished 13-3 in 2016 behind rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliot.
However, Dallas has a lot of questions on defense. Both Brandon Carr and Morris Clairborne left the team in free agency.
Could the Atlanta Falcons be a threat once more? Probably not. Atlanta has a history of missing the playoffs the year after playing into January. What about the Green Bay Packers? They have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Green Bay doesn’t have much luck in the playoffs, either. They’ve lost five of their last eight playoff games since winning Super Bowl XLV in 2011.
The one team that poses a real threat in the NFC is the New York Giants. They have a loaded roster and have had more luck against the Patriots over the last 10 years than any NFL team. They’ve bested the Patriots in two Super Bowls, ending a perfect season in 2008.
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With wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr and Sterling Shepard, as well as tight end Evan Engram to throw to, Eli Manning is on track to having one of the best seasons of his career. It could possibly with a third win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.