My very early Patriots schedule prediction for this season...
vs. Philadelphia [L], vs. Miami [W], @ NY Jets [L], @ Dallas [W], vs. New Orleans [W], @ Las Vegas [L]. vs. Buffalo [L], @ Miami [L], vs. Washington [W], vs. Indianapolis in Germany [W], @ NY Giants [W], vs. LA Chargers [W], @ Pittsburgh [L], vs. Kansas City [L], @ Denver [L], @ Buffalo [L], vs. NY Jets [W]
Final Record: 8-9. I think the offense and special teams will be greatly improved but I think they'll struggle on the road (including places they always struggle with Miami & Denver) and I don't think they are talented enough to be a 10-7/11-6 team short of other teams missing star players during the season. Them playing the Jets so early is likely a loss compared to if/how Rodgers would be holding up by midseason. I gave them wins over Dallas, Giants, and Chargers as they usually beat teams that are better than them on paper or teams like the Chargers who just seem to fuck it up against the Pats too often.
Steelers on the road is a tough challenge but that could go either way too.
Worth highlighting that mid-season changes things drastically. Miami was 8-3 then won just 1 game the rest of the year. Pats were 6-4 then won just 2 games the rest of the way. Jets were 7-4 and lost the rest of their games. Lions were 1-6 at one point and went 8-2 to end the season. Seattle was 6-3 and won just 3 games the rest of the season. Everybody was crowning the NY Giants at 7-2 then they win only 2 games and tied another.