2012 Schedule Analysis + Game by Game Predictions

PRE SEASON-

Not much to say here since all of the games are meaningless but I will say this- Everyone is always down on the pre season games. The main argument is how much a waste of time and energy it is and while putting players at risk of injury. Another is the ridiculous cost of pre season tickets and how they are price tagged at the same price of an NFL regular season game. Another popular reason for hating on the pre season is that it is flat out boring. While all of that may be true, I beg to differ.  While I may just be a nerd of the Patriots, I find the whole off season and team building process fascinating. If you are a true diehard Pats fan every aspect of the offseason should interest you. Through the pre season you can act as a scout and have fun by making your own judgments and see who is performing well and who isn’t.  Typically Pre-Season games are nothing more than glorified scrimmages however, it is your first chance to get a glimpse of the teams newest  faces. Free agents and Rookie’s get their chance to show what they can do to justify a roster spot.  While you won’t be seeing Brady dropping back and floating any 60 yard touchdowns, you will see progression of the many training camp battles we will be following here on Premium Pats and to ultimately see who will make the final cut or not. If nothing else the pre season provides an excuse to see the Patriots in uniform playing on TV in some capacity and even bigger reason to get rowdy for the kickoff of the upcoming season. 

Glancing over the Pre Season games we start off facing the Saints on August 9^th.  This will come around sooner than you may think.  It will be interesting to see what the Saints look like after all of the turmoil that franchise has been going through all off season.  Next we have the Eagles and Buccaneers.  I also am intrigued by the Bucs game since Bill Belichick and Greg Schiano are close friends. I will be interested to see how that goes. Finally there is the New York Giants.  This game may get chippy ladies and gentleman. It will be played in New York, and the crowd will certainly be fired up.  The final game of the pre season before the regular season kicks off this game should promise to have the most “feel” of a regular season game.  Players will be fighting for their lives for their last chance at a roster spot.  Also both coaches have something to prove.  Bill never wants to lose but I am sure another loss to New York will add insult to injury-regardless of the importance of the game.  Also Tom Coughlin I am sure will still be fired up for the Patriots claiming Jake Ballard as he was in interviews a few weeks ago. Either way the Pre-Season has much to be intrigued and excited over.

REGULAR SEASON-

I will be the first to admit I am a Pats homer, but when I first saw this schedule I laughed out loud. This appears to be the easiest schedule in the league.  Whoever made this schedule must have been under the influence of some kind of drug because the Patriots only face four playoff teams from last season including; Baltimore, Denver, Houston, and San Francisco.  The Patriots make it to the Super Bowl and 12 of the games to be played by the Patriots this season are against non playoff teams.  Now with that said I live and die by the phrase “Any given Sunday” however, who can’t get excited and think this is a pretty much a cake walk schedule heading into the playoffs.

Let’s take a brief look at each game by game for this season. Here are my very early predictions.

WEEK 1: Sun., Sept. 9 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

The Patriots kick off the season Sunday September 9^th in Tennessee against either an aging Matt Hasselbeck or a young developing QB in Jake Locker.  Both teams should be riled up to kick off the season as it is a fresh start and clean slate.  I am not sure how the Pats defense will hold up but there is no reason the Patriots Offense can’t have their way with the Titans defense-who lost Cortland Finnegan this offseason.

Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 2: Sun., Sept. 16 Arizona 1:00 pm

Arizona is rebuilding, young, and a mess. Unless Larry Fitzgerald has his way with the Patriots secondary I don’t expect the Patriots to lose to Arizona. I just can’t picture Kevin Kolb coming in and carving up the Patriots.

Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 3: Sun., Sept. 23 at Baltimore 8:20

This one is one to circle on the calendar.  The Pats will travel to Baltimore for what will be a tough game as always against Baltimore.  Good news for Tom Brady is Suggs is unlikely to be on the field pestering Brady however, there are still plenty of talented players on that Raven’s defense to create havoc. Still, I will take the Patriots high powered (and upgraded) offense over Baltimore’s defense.

Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 4: Sun., Sept. 30 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Tough to predict this far in advance but I think Buffalo’s front line will be very good this season and I mean that.  I think this will be a close one in Buffalo.  I think New England's offensive line may struggle early on and have trouble stopping a dominant Buffalo pass rush.
Early Prediction: PATS LOSE

WEEK 5: Sun., Oct. 7 Denver 4:15 pm

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos come to New England.  How Peyton VS Brady is not a prime time game is absolutely baffling to me. I expect this game to maybe get flexed but there are a lot of factors that go into that and it is way to early to even think about that at this point.  I don’t know how good Peyton will be in Denver but one thing for sure is you will be getting Peyton VS Brady and that is enough to bet that it will be a competitive game. Game is at home in New England.  

Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 6: Sun., Oct. 14 at Seattle 4:05 pm

Remember the last time the Patriots faced Matt Flynn?  It didn’t go so well.  As tough as it is to play with the “12^th man” on the field I don’t think the Seahawks offense is good enough to outscore New England. Seattle’s defense is good though so this could be a trap game but as of now I just don’t see it happening.

Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 7: Sun., Oct. 21 New York Jets 4:15 pm

Oh the New York Jets.  Hopefully this time they will have already imploded but the interesting thing about them is they certainly have the talent- it is just the putrid culture that is plaguing New York. The team has set itself up for failure by picking up Tim Tebow, who will only draw attention and cause controversy at the Quarterback position but whether it be Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow- the Pats will continue their winning streak and beat the problematic Jets at home.

 Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 8: Sun., Oct. 28 at St. Louis (London) 1:00 pm

Patriots owner Robert Kraft is pumped for this game as he should be as the NFL tries to further broaden it’s NFL branding globally. London has a huge following of Patriots fans so I expect it to have the atmosphere of a home game as it did the last time the Patriots came to London in 2009 against the Bucs.  The Rams were dreadful last season riddled with injuries.  They hope to come back stronger this season.  I think Sam Bradford has a very bright future at Quarterback, and if there is any coach to help him develop and blossom into a great player it is Jeff Fisher.  I like the moves the Rams have made this offseason on both sides of the ball, I just don’t think Bradford has enough weapons and the team as a whole is much too young.  The Rams will win more games than last season just not this one.

Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 9: BYE WEEK

Now- The Patriots have a BYE week. Typically this is where the players like to have their BYE as it is right smack in the middle of the season.  This allows players to rest up and heal any injuries and get ready for a strong playoff push. What is great about this BYE is the Patriots play in London October 28^th.  The Patriots have virtually a double bye – almost 2 weeks before the Patriots play again on Sunday November 11^th against Buffalo at home.

WEEK 10: Sun., Nov. 11 Buffalo 1:00 pm

 I expect the Patriots to be well rested and ready to go at home to take on the Buffalo Bills. The Bills by this point will be really coming on and their defensive front should be even better than it was in the beginning of the season. I want to say New England will split the season with Buffalo but I don't see how the Patriots will lose at home with almost 2 weeks to prepare for the Bills. I give New England th edge with an ugly victory against a tough divisional opponent at home.
Early Prediction: PATS WIN


WEEK 11: Sun., Nov. 18 Indianapolis 1:00 pm

Andrew Luck comes to Gillette! I expect big big things out of this kid. Luck is the complete package and has all the tools to become a great franchise Quarterback. Indy thought so too selecting the Stanford sensation with their first pick in the draft. Usually the Colts VS Patriots game is one Patriots fans have been circling on their calendars for years but with Peyton jettisoned from Indy this game should be a push over. Indy is in rebuilding mode and lost many key players. Luck I'll need all the luck he can get if he wants to out-score Tom Brady's Patriots.
Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 12: Thurs., Nov., 22 at New York Jets 8:20 pm

The Patriots travel to New York and I doubt the Jets will have their answer at Quarterback. Dare I say Tebowmania? I wouldn't be too worried. The Pats will shine in prime time!
Early Prediction: PATS WIN


WEEK 13: Sun., Dec. 2 at Miami 1:00 pm

 The Dolphins rookie Quarterback Ryan Tannehill will likely be starting at this point in the season and I don't foresee him stopping the undefeated Patriots. I expect Miami's defense to continue to play well, but Miami has no offensive weapons. If you think Chad Ocho Cinco and Davon Bess are enough to take out the Patriots then your probablly the one who created the Patriots 2012 schedule.
Early Prediction: PATS WIN

WEEK 14: Mon., Dec. 10 Houston 8:30 pm

Prime Time! Monday Night Football. A cold winter night in Foxboro. The Texans are on of the most well rounded teams in the NFL. I think it will be close but I don't feel the Texans who are not used to cold weather and who play in a done will be able to best the Patriots at home.
Early Prediction: PATS WIN




WEEK 15: Sun., Dec. 16 San Francisco 8:20 pm


If San Fran can play even at a fraction of how they played last season they will be doing well. The 49er's top defense is returning. San Fran's offense has presumably gotten better with the addition of first round pick A.J. Jenkins and key free agent additions in Mario Manningham and Randy Moss.  The 49ers are a favorite to make a Super Bowl push.  This will be the Patriots biggest test of the season at home.  I think Randy Moss and the 49ers will upset the Patriots at home.
Early Prediction: PATS LOSE

WEEK 16: Sun., Dec. 30 Miami 1:00 pm

Patriots-Dolphins a divisional game that will be essentially meaningless to the Pats. Late December. Potential frigid conditions.  I think the Pats will blow the Dolphins out of the water after losing at home to San Fran a week earlier.  The Pats typically don't lose two games in a row.  The Pats will finish strong.  Brian Hoyer gets mop up duty for this one as the Pats take the division and head into the playoffs with a first round BYE.

Early Prediction: PATS WIN

For the Patriot record I have them finishing the season at 14-2. A whole lot can change between now and the start of the season.  What are your predictions for the Patriots season? Post them in the comments section below and tell me what you think! 

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