Three toughest games on the New England Patriots' 2023 schedule
The New England Patriots will have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL in 2023. Let's look at their three toughest matchups. One reason I am low on the 2023 New England Patriots is because they have one of the hardest schedules in the NFL and I don't think they have the roster to overcome some of those tough matchups.
It's a sad reality that the team has to deal with and may end up being a big reason why the team falters and perhaps blows it up at the end of the season. I think if you're generous, this team can scrap their way to nine wins, but I think six or seven is probably where they end up in 2023.
Let's look at their three toughest games on their 2023 schedule.
Three toughest games on the New England Patriots' 2023 schedule
Week 1 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Their first game of the year is going to be one of their hardest, perhaps their hardest contest overall. The Philadelphia Eagles were the 2022 NFC Champions and nearly won the Super Bowl. They retained their core of free agents and hardly lost any of their 22 starters from 2022.
Jalen Hurts is likely going to be an MVP candidate this year and I'm not sure this team has a single weakness on their roster. This might be a long day for the Pats.
Week 15 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The New England Patriots play the defending Super Bowl champions in 2023. Their matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs does come at home, which gives them a slight advantage, but this is still going to be an insanely tough matchup unless Patrick Mahomes isn't in the lineup for whatever reason.
The Chiefs look to repeat as Super Bowl champions, which has not been done since the Patriots did it in 2003 and 2004. Even losing Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins last year did not have an impact on their offensive performance. This team is a well-oiled machine.
Week 17 at Buffalo Bills
I didn't know which of the six divisional matchups I wanted to peg as being the hardest games of the year for the Patriots. The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets both look like viable playoff teams and may very well finish higher than the Buffalo Bills in the division, but right now, it's the Bills' division until further notice, so the Patriots' away matchup against them will be one of their hardest contests of the season.
It may also be especially hard considering Buffalo might still be playing for something at this point and could go all-out to secure whatever is at stake in the second to last week of the season. The Bills have dealt with a bit of drama last year, but they're still an elite team.