The New England Patriots’ 2022 schedule is going to be tough

The New England Patriots have a tough road to travel with their schedule in 2022. Can they rise to the occasion and beat good teams?

The New England Patriots do have a bit of a tough schedule in the 2022 season.  They have a couple stretches of games where they’ll truly be put to the test, and if they do not get off to a hot enough start, the possibility of making the playoffs might vanish before the team even hits week ten.

Looking at their schedule; it’s clear to me that their second half lineup is much more difficult than their first, but it’s worth dividing up their games to get a clearer picture.

Weeks 1-4

Their first four games could put them in an early hole.  They open the season at Miami, then travel to Pittsburgh for week two, have their home opener against the Ravens, and then travel to Green Bay to face the Packers.

I am most concerned about weeks three and four, as both teams arguably have better quarterbacks and better rosters overall.  Being that the Packers’ game is in Green Bay, I do not like their chances in that matchup.

I would feel comfortable predicting a 2-2 start for the Patriots.  I would expect the Dolphins to struggle a bit when the season opens, as having an influx of new players and a new coaching staff make take some getting used to.

I also think the Steelers have undergone significant changes on offense, so whoever is under center might need a few weeks to get their legs under them.

Weeks 5-9

These next five games put them into their bye week during week 10.

They play the Lions at home, face the Browns on the road, return home to play the Bears, have an away game against the Jets, and return home to face the Colts on November 6th.

I do see three comfortable wins for the Patriots during this five game stretch.

I do not see a scenario where the team does not win against the Lions, Bears, or Jets.  While anything can happen, these teams are still in a rebuilding mode and I would not expect too tough of a game.

The tilt against the Browns will be an interesting one for the Patriots.  If Deshaun Watson is not playing, I could see them winning, but if he is, a loss is likely.

The Colts are the Colts.  I do not think they upgraded by trading away Carson Wentz and acquiring Matt Ryan, but they did beat the Patriots last offseason.

Let’s say the team goes 3-2 during this five game stretch.

That would put them at a 5-4 mark heading into their bye week.

Weeks 11-14

After the bye week, their games get tougher.  Weeks 11-14 feature a home game against the Jets, away games against the Vikings and Cardinals, and a home game against the Bills.

The Jets game should be a win, and I do feel reasonably confident that they could snatch victory against the Vikings, but playing in Arizona against the Cardinals and facing the Bills leave me worried.

The Cardinals would be an easier win for them.  I think the team likely splits these four games, going 2-2.

That would put the Patriots at 7-6 heading into their final four games.

Weeks 15-18

The Patriots’ final four games are their hardest games of the season.  Of course, these games come at the end of the season when teams are beat up and battling for playoff spots.

They play two away games and two home games, at the Raiders and Bills, and home against the Bengals and Dolphins.

I would have to convince myself to give them two wins here.  I see them winning at least one against the Dolphins, but I wouldn’t feel entirely comfortable giving the Patriots a win against the Bengals or Raiders.

I do think a win against the Bengals is most likely, simply because the Pats will be playing at home in Gillette Stadium.

If the Patriots did indeed finish 9-8, I’m not sure that would be good enough to make the playoffs in 2022.

Their schedule isn’t doing them any favors this coming season.