Ranking the 6 most important games of the Patriots 2024 schedule
The NFL released the 2024 season schedules on Wednesday, and even though it had been known the Patriots would have a difficult road, how their schedule was constructed made it even more challenging.
They'll have many factors working against them, the main one being a Week 14 bye week and a final stretch of games that feature the Bills twice in three weeks. This adds even more pressure to the new regime led by Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf, who are expected to put the team in a better position to win moving forward.
On top of it all, the Patriots will have more than a handful of essential games for one reason or another that could dictate the rest of their season.
Whether it's the timing of the game, the opponent they're facing, or the ramifications of a win or loss, there are at least six games they should have circled on their calendars that give them a bit more motivation to get a win.
Ranking the 6 most important games of the Patriots 2024 schedule
6. Week 15 @ Cardinals
Of the six games deemed the most important of the upcoming season, it might be surprising to see the Patriots heading to the desert considered to be one of them. However, it's not the opponent that makes this game important; it's when it is played.
Unfortunately, New England was dealt a Week 14 bye. It's the last week any team can have a bye, and of course, the Patriots just had to be one of them. When they return for the Week 15 game, they'll face the Cardinals.
To get things back on track for the final three games, it would be ideal for them to go home with a win from this game, especially since they'll have two tough matchups in three weeks to close the season against the Bills.
At this point in the year, the Patriots could be vying for a playoff spot, even if most fans don't believe they will be that soon. But if we're going to be optimistic, it's another factor that makes it even more crucial they beat the Cardinals.
Regardless, after playing 13 straight games and finally having a week to relax, it would be a great way to set the tone for the rest of the season by getting a win in the game after their bye.