New England Patriots: 2020 won’t be a walk in the park

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Joejuan Williams #33 of the New England Patriots looks on from the bench during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Joejuan Williams #33 of the New England Patriots looks on from the bench during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Critics of the New England Patriots like to point out how easy of a schedule the team has. That won’t be the case in 2020.

Over the years, the New England Patriots have gained a lot of critics. That is just the case when you become one of the most succesfull teams in NFL history.

One of the main critiques has nothing to do with the Patriots at all. Critics love to point out how easy of a schedule the Patriots have and how the AFC East is a cakewalk. That won’t be the case in 2020.

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Of course without Tom Brady, the team will take a step back. It won’t destroy the organization, but it’s impossible for them to not be affected by the move.

But the New England Patriots schedule in 2020 is far from easy. It is actually the strongest schedule in all of the NFL.

New England’s opponents in 2020 boast an average win percentage of .537.  You’ll also notice that the AFC East is well represented at the top of the table. This probably has to do with the division facing off against the NFC West this year.

This isn’t exactly what you want to hear when you have a first-year starter taking over. Jarrett Stidham will be tested early and often.

Now I don’t think the Patriots will be terrible. They still have a very capable team. Also, let’s not forget that New England has the greatest coach in NFL history patrolling the sidelines.

This season will be a major test for Bill Belichick. He will get a chance to prove that he doesn’t need Tom Brady. If the Patriots have a good season Belichick would add to his already stellar resume.

The 2020 season will be an interesting one for the New England Patriots. They will either sink to the bottom or prove they are still a top team in the AFC.

Next. Jarrett Stidham gets more praise. dark

But no matter how well they do you can’t blame a weak division or an easy schedule. There are no doubts that the Patriots will be tested in 2020.