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Quick hit reaction to the Patriots 2013 Schedule

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My first reaction is that it’s not an impossible schedule, but it certainly has some big challenges, especially right out of the gate and at the end.

What worries me most is that the Pats will be vulnerable early in the season. They always blow a game in September, but this year they’ll be figuring out a new passing offense, possibly without Gronk. They’ll need time, and this year more than ever, they should be a better team at the end of the year than at the start.

The first thing we always look for is the bye week, and the later the better. So with it coming on week 10 this year it’s ideal.

Then we look at the division games, two right out of the gate opening with at Bills, then hosting the Jets on a short week on Thursday night. That’s a big test. Division games are always tough, even when they’re against two teams that are likely in transition. Would’ve been preferable to get an NFC team in there, since those games are less consequential, but it’s a chance for the Pats to take an early lead in the division.

The back-to-back divisional games in October will be a good test as well when they got to the Jets then host the Dolphins. Mark down that Dolphins game, it could be a big one.

Two road games vs. playoff opponents is never easy, and the Pats will go to Atlanta then Cincinnati in back to back weeks.

Most interesting though is the final six games. They’ll play three of the AFC’s top playoff seeds from last season, along with two divisional games vs. Miami and Buffalo. 

Even if they start slow the Pats will have a chance to make a big push at the end, with their fate in their own hands. But the divisional games will come in back-to-back weeks at the start and in the middle. They’ll need to be on their game for those, because as always, winning the division is the primary objective.

Mark it down – Sunday November 24th on Sunday Night Football vs. the Broncos. We can all circle that one now. That will make back-to-back national games coming off a Monday Night tilt with the Panthers.

5 national games is a lot, and I love that they’ll go to Baltimore in Week 16 on Sunday Night Football. Should be a great atmosphere and excellent prep for the playoffs.

Patriots 2013 Mock Draft Tracker

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Patriots 2013 Mock Draft Tracker

The Patriots.com mock draft tracker page has been updated. Some interesting picks. Lots of cornerbacks and wide receivers with a couple defensive ends and tackles sprinkled in, and even some safeties.

Personally I think we’re set at safety. There’s good youth and good experience and enough guys to compete and rotate and come out of camp with a solid starting tandem.

Idle thoughts waiting for the Patriots schedule release

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The NFL will release the 2013 schedule tonight at 8pm EST. The Patriots are scheduled to play:

Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Denver.

Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston

Some really great matchups, including the top four AFC seeds from last year’s playoffs. There’s a great range of challenges, especially having to play four playoff teams on the road. It’s definitely not a cream puff year, and the Pats should be well-tested almost every week (sorry Bills and Jets).

The two games I’m most interested in are obviously Denver and Baltimore. Both of those games should get a primetime slot. 

In the division, Miami has made the most moves this offseason and appear to be this year’s edition of the team that will take the Pats down. If I’m the Dolphins I want to see the Pats in New England early. That’s the game the AFC East teams just haven’t been able to win, and the Dolphins should be hoping for an early shot there before the Pats offense is healthy and the new wide receivers have started to click. 

We’ll have a full analysis, ranking the best games up on Bleacher Report tomorrow morning. It will be a long wait till 8pm…

Mike Loyko’s 2013 Draft Guide Available | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft

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Mike Loyko’s 2013 Draft Guide Available | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2013 NFL Draft

Gotta throw a plug to Mike Loyko for his new draft guide, which from the previews look amazing. Clearly he put a ton of work into it, and there’s no other Pats draft analyst I find myself agreeing with more. 

If you’ve got $20 help support his hard work. Send payment to mashpee54@yahoo.com and you’ll get a nice PDF.

Why not a WR in the first and a WR in the second?

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Making the final push here on the last mock draft, and given what the Pats really truly need I’m wondering right now why couldn’t they go with two wide receivers with their first two picks? Not sure I’m ready to pull the trigger on that just yet for the mock, but right now I think it really makes sense.

Why? Well let’s be realistic about the Pats other needs. Outside of receiver, every other starter returns on both sides of the ball. You can make plenty of arguments for other needs, especially in the long-term interest of the team, but none compare to level of need at receiver.

Defensive End? Sure. Ninkovich is in the last year of his deal. Though it still seems plausible that John Abraham or even Dwight Freeney could be added. No one knows what to expect out of Jermaine Cunningham or Justin Francis. Same goes for Armond Armstead, even if many are projecting him as a defensive tackle. Still, I don’t see defensive end as a critical need, even for camp competition. Give me a designated pass rushing veteran and they’re pretty much set there for 2013 in my view.

What about cornerback? All the starters return and though no one is counting on Ras-I Dowling for anything, it’s not a critical situation there either.

If there’s one thing that seems clear to me, it’s that the Patriots must get an impact wide receiver in the draft. They need it for 2013, and they need it for the long term. 

So why not mitigate risk and take two receivers with the first two picks? There are a number of talented ones that will go in the top two rounds of the draft. Receivers of all shapes and sizes. Taking two ensures one of them should get it. And who knows, maybe both will and the Pats will be set on offense for the foreseeable future.

Everyone knows how hard the Pats offense is on receivers, and everyone knows the history of misses on them both in the draft and free agency. I won’t argue that wide receiver is the most vital position on the field, it’s far from it, and I think no matter who is on the outside, the Pats should be okay this year.

But if they truly want to build another explosive offense they still need to add pieces at the position because there is not enough talent there at the moment.

I’m narrowing down my favorite receivers now, and by next Thursday will make a decision on what the best fits are, but right now I can see a lot of reasons why a double-dip right at the top makes sense.

Some draft catch-up…

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Looking forward to being the Patriots draft correspondent for Bleacher Report next week. I’ll have live analysis, grades and updated mock drafts every night. Frenz and I will bang out a podcast or two as well. It’s the highlight of the offseason and things will be fast and furious here at the Ministry of PatsPropaganda.

Here’s some of my recent draft work to get you caught up on anything you might’ve missed.

2013 PatsPropaganda Patriots-Only Top-50 Draft Board

Who Do Patriots Fans Want in the First Round of the 2013 NFL Draft?

8 Late-Round Prospects Who Would Be a Perfect Match for Patriots

The Biggest Questions for Patriots Heading into the 2013 NFL Draft