CBS Singles Out Most Daunting Part Of Patriots' 2026 Schedule

"After getting the easiest schedule in the NFL last year, the league's schedule makers didn't do the Patriotsanyfavors to start the season this year," Breech wrote on Friday. "The Patriots' first four opponents have a strength of schedule of .721, which is the highest any team has faced in the first four weeks since 1986. And to make matters worse, three of those four games are on the road (at Seahawks, Steelers, at Jaguars, at Bills)."

If the Patriots can finish those four games with a .500 record, then New England should be in a solid position moving forward. However, if it wins only one or none of its games, there’s a good chance the Patriots will struggle to win the AFC East this season and may need to fight for a wild-card spot.

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