The road to the postseason could be a long and winding one for the New England Patriots heading into the 2023 season.
One look at the long list of expected playoff contenders on their regular season schedule is enough to drive even the most optimistic fans mad. With 17 games total, the Patriots are slated to face at least nine teams that clinched a playoff berth in 2022.
It’s a huge challenge that’s going to take a herculean effort from both players and coaches to overcome.
Can coach Bill Belichick turn the defense into an impenetrable beast to deal with all of the explosive offenses the Patriots will be facing? Can quarterback Mac Jones grow into his role well enough to get his team over the hump? Will the addition of Bill O’Brien at offensive coordinator make a big enough difference?
There are a lot of questions ahead for the Patriots when tackling this monstrous schedule. Let’s take a look at how their opponents finished last season:
Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Chow/The Republic via USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 14-3, 1st in NFC East
Miami Dolphins
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 9-8, 2nd in AFC East
New York Jets
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 7-10, last in AFC East
Dallas Cowboys
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 12-5, 2nd in NFC East
New Orleans Saints
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 7-10, 3rd in NFC South
Las Vegas Raiders
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Last season: 6-11, 3rd in AFC West
Buffalo Bills
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 13-3, 1st in AFC East
Miami Dolphins
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 9-8, 2nd in AFC East
Washington Commanders
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 8-8-1, last in the NFC East
Indianapolis Colts
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 4-12-1, 3rd in AFC South
New York Giants
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 9-7-1, 3rd in NFC East
Los Angeles Chargers
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 10-7, 2nd in AFC West
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 9-8, 3rd in AFC North
Kansas City Chiefs
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 14-3, 1st in AFC West
Denver Broncos
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 5-12, last in AFC West
Buffalo Bills
AP Photo/Adrian Kraus
Last season: 13-3, 1st in AFC East
New York Jets
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Last season: 7-10, last in AFC East
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Story originally appeared on Patriots Wire