Reveal of Patriots' 2024 opponents proves season won't be a cakewalk

Besides the overwhelming sadness that the Patriots' 2023 season is almost over, or maybe you're looking forward to it due to their disappointing performance; there's one thing fans can look forward to, and that's the finalization of who the team will face in 2024.

Before the completion of Week 18's slate of games, all but one opponent the Patriots will face on the road has been decided. At first glance, the schedule doesn't look any easier than their 2023 opponents, and it actually looks far tougher on paper, which is unfortunate given the potential circumstances their offense could be in.

HOME:

• Buffalo Bills
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Indianapolis Colts
• Miami Dolphins
• New York Jets
• Los Angeles Rams
• Seattle Seahawks
• Houston Texans

Seeing teams like the Chargers and Rams on the list immediately seems like easy home wins, at least according to how they played this year. But as it is with every new NFL season, no team is the same year in and year out, so we can't rely on those teams remaining lackluster for another season, especially when we're hoping to see the Patriots be far improved in that same time.

The Texans will be an exciting team to face, with the rise of C.J. Stroud and the firepower offense surrounding him. Their rookie head coach, DeMeco Ryans, has been impressive so far, leading the team to their first postseason since 2019. In recent years, they've been an easy win for most teams.

But given their trajectory heading into the offseason, it can only be expected they'll be even better next year.

The Seahawks are a questionable team, as well. It's unclear who will ultimately be their quarterback since all signs pointed to Geno Smith not being the long-term solution. They're loaded on offense and improving on defense, which makes the Patriots' chances against them not easy to predict.

AWAY:

• Chicago Bears
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Buffalo Bills
• Arizona Cardinals
• Miami Dolphins
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• New York Jets
• Tennessee Titans
• San Francisco 49ers

Knowing New England will have to face teams like the Bengals and 49ers on the road next season is something nightmares are made of. Joe Burrow has brought life back to Cincinnati, and although he couldn't finish the 2023 season due to injury, he's only a couple of seasons removed from leading the team to the Super Bowl.

The 49ers, on the other hand, are one of the most dominant teams in the league in all phases of the game. The Patriots have a tremendous defense, but is there any unit out there truly capable of shutting down the likes of Christian McCaffery or Deebo Samuel?

The other teams are in similar situations as the Patriots, trying to figure out their next move or how to improve their roster.

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