Three Biggest Games: New England Patriots

Winning the Super Bowl brings with it its share of perks. These pleasant surprises are compounded if you happen to be a nationally supported glamour franchise like the New England Patriots, whose schedule is filled to the brim with primetime encounters and playoff previews. Here are the three toughest opponents set to test their mettle against the league’s best in 2015.

Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

One of the most highly anticipated games of the year will be played on opening night, and that’s not just because fans around the world will be craving a return to football. Every year needs at least one surging team to plough through the playoffs, and during the tail end of 2014, that void looked like it would be filled by the Steelers. One Le’Veon Bell injury and an unceremonious wild card loss later, the men of steel were back on their couches. They may be missing Bell for this contest, but a stacked offense and raw but talented defense will pose an immediate challenge to the Pats.

Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys

America’s Team of the 1970s meets America’s Team of the modern era in what should be an offensive explosion in Texas. Pats fans may be loathing a bye week in only week four, but its timing couldn’t be better with New England facing Dallas and Indy on the road in two marquee affairs, before heading back home for back-to-back divisional clashes with the Jets and Dolphins. Last season, Dallas declared their intentions for a sixth Lombardi with a consummate victory over then-champions Seattle at the Clink. A similar performance against the defending champs beckons in what should be a ‘game of the year’ nominee.

Week 13 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Patriots’ only true test in the final stretch before the playoffs comes in the form of Chip Kelly’s Eagles; a team that has turned just about every facet of its organisation inside out in an attempt to make Kelly’s master plan a reality. Belichick and Brady’s calculated, methodical style will serve as an interesting contrast to the light-speed offense of Kelly and [insert starting quarterback here]. The Patriots will be coming off what is always a heated encounter in Denver on Sunday Night Football, and can’t afford to start slipping right around the time they typically play their best football.