Mike Mayock opens up about NFL draft – Sports – The Boston Globe

I think the schedule lays out favorably for the Patriots. The first things teams look at are where the bye falls (Week 10 for New England, a good time) and how many times they will be thrown off their usual routine. The Patriots have only two such games, Weeks 2 and 12. The first one, the Thursday night game against the Jets, is so early it won’t matter. The latter — the Sunday night showdown with the Broncos that follows a Monday nighter at Carolina — comes shortly after the bye, so the team can get ahead on game planning. So, it all works out. The Patriots have to be ecstatic that they get their Thursday night game (every team gets one) so early in the season, when playing on short rest shouldn’t be a concern. Consider that the Patriots have nine days off from the final preseason game to the opener, then two games in five days, then nine days off before Week 3 at home vs. the Buccaneers. Sounds like a very nice start.