Jordy McElroy
April 18, 2024 7:45 pm ET
The New England Patriots had one of the hardest schedules in the league last season, and things could get even worse in 2024 as they embark on the post-Bill Belichick era.
There are no questions regarding the current state of the team. The Patriots are rebuilding and looking to forge a new identity under coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf. Both men will have to prepare the team to hit the ground running in a murderer’s row AFC East division.
The Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are all possible playoff contenders in 2024. But it isn’t just the division the Patriots have to worry about. Their non-divisional slate is as scary as it’s ever been in recent memory with opponents like the Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans on the schedule.
According to Sharp Football Analysis, the Patriots will have the second-hardest schedule in the NFL behind the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s where the other teams around the league ranked in strength of schedule:
1
Atlanta Falcons
Oct 24, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) catches the football prior the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 9.5
2
Los Angeles Chargers
Dec 3, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 8.5
3
Chicago Bears
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 31: Jaylon Johnson #33 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a play during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field on December 31, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 8.5
4
New York Jets
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 9.5
5
New Orleans Saints
Jan 1, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) celebrates a stop on 4th down against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 7.5
6
Cincinnati Bengals
Dec 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 10.5
7
Indianapolis Colts
Oct 1, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) passes during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 8.5
8
Miami Dolphins
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 05: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins hands off the ball during the NFL match between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park on November 05, 2023 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 9.5
9
Philadelphia Eagles
TAMPA, FLORIDA – JANUARY 15: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles plays during the NFC Wild Card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 10.5
10
Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 07: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 4.5
11
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 17: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 17, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 34-20. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 8.5
12
Kansas City Chiefs
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 11.5
13
Washington Commanders
Mar 26, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn speaks to the media during the NFL annual league meetings at the JW Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 6.5
14
Jacksonville Jaguars
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 8.5
15
Seattle Seahawks
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs the ball in the game against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 7.5
16
Arizona Cardinals
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 6.5
17
Los Angeles Rams
Jan 7, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 8.5
18
San Francisco 49ers
November 27, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) during the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 11.5
19
Green Bay Packers
Dec 24, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) looks to pass in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 10.5
20
New York Giants
Oct 2, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) reacts as he runs off the field after being sacked during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 6.5
21
Detroit Lions
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 24: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with Jameson Williams #9 and Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 10.5
22
Dallas Cowboys
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts to a sack against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys 28-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 10.5
23
Buffalo Bills
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 23: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills drops back to pass in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 10.5
24
Las Vegas Raiders
Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 6.5
25
Denver Broncos
Oct 29, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) is unable to pull in a pass after being fouled on a pass interference in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 5.5
26
Houston Texans
Dec 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws the ball during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 9.5
27
Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 17: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans attempts a pass during the first half against the Houston Texansat Nissan Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 6.5
28
Minnesota Vikings
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 16: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings gestures in the second half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
Projected win total: 6.5
29
Baltimore Ravens
Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during timeout against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 11.5
30
Cleveland Browns
Dec 24, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) catches a touchdown pass with Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) chasing in the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 8.5
31
New England Patriots
Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) prepares for a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the warm-up period at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 4.5
32
Pittsburgh Steelers
Nov 19, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates after a sack during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Projected win total: 8.5
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