NFL Release 2016 Season Schedule: Patriots
It’s football season again, baby!
Well, at least it feels that way after seeing the Patriots’ new schedule.
On April 14 at 8 p.m., the 2016 National Football League released the regular season schedule. While the Patriots’ roster is still far from complete, once again, for the Patriots, it looks like it will be an easy road to another AFC East title.
The current roster is built like a Super Bowl contender, with a lock-up defensive secondary and an unbelievable set of targets (after the acquisition of tight end Marcellus Bennett) for the future Hall of Fame member Tom Brady.
Beyond this, Patriots Head Coach Bill Bellichik still has time to work some magic through the NFL draft or potentially, a trade. Here are some important dates to pay attention to.

• April 18: Patriots can begin their offseason workout program
• April 22: Deadline for Restricted Free Agents to sign offer sheets
• April 28-30: 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago, Illinois

But, back to the schedule. The Patriots have the ninth-hardest schedule among the total 32 NFL teams. Patriots’ opponents this year collectively went 134-122 (.523 winning percentage). While this sounds like something to be concerned about, the power rankings are based off the 2015 overall records, making it virtually meaningless (considering the huge turnover of NFL rosters on a yearly basis).
Beyond this, our AFC East competitors have the same difficulty of schedule, and winning the AFC East is the primary route to the post-season.
Here are the top hardest schedules:

1. TIED FOR FIRST PLACE: 49ers and Falcons (Opponents Winning Percentage – .555)
2. Rams (Opponents Winning Percentage – .551)
3. Saints (Opponents Winning Percentage – .547)
4. TIED FOR FOURTH PLACE: Seahawks and Buccaneers (Opponents Winning Percentage – .543)
5. TIED FOR FIFTH PLACE: Cardinals and Jets (Opponents Winning Percentage – .531)
6. Patriots (Opponents Winning Percentage – .523)
7. Bills (Opponents Winning Percentage – .520)
8. Dolphins (Opponents Winning Percentage – .516)

Full Patriots TV Schedule