The New England Patriots are going to have their most difficult season in recent memory. They face the realistic possibility of finishing 8-8 or 9-7. While many expect them to fight for the AFC East title, most are not giving it to them easily as in years past. The Miami Dolphins are expected to challenge this season. The Patriots are opening up the season at home against division rival Buffalo. Following is the games schedule for the New England Patriots.

Week One: Buffalo Bills

Week Two: @ New York Jets

Week Three: Denver Broncos

Week Four: @ Cincinnati Bengals

Week Five: Miami Dolphins

Week Six: Bye

Week Seven: @ Buffalo Bills

Week Eight: @ Minnesota Vikings

Week Nine: Indianapolis Colts

Week Ten: New York Jets

Week Eleven: @ Green Bay Packers

Week Twelve: Chicago Bears

Week Thirteen: Detroit Lions

Week Fourteen: @ Miami Dolphins

Week Fifteen: Houston Texans

Week Sixteen: @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Seventeen: @ Tennessee Titans

If the New England Patriots play well this season, they have 8 games that are relatively easy. The Bills (twice), Jets (twice), Packers, Lions, Texans and Titans should pose little difficulty for a good team. The Bills might present a little more of challenge as they will probably play the Patriots well for at least one of the two games.

The hype is on the Dolphins. If they are half as good as people expect, they will give the Patriots two difficult games. While the Dolphins beat the Patriots at the end of last season, the game was meaningless. You could argue that the Patriots had a tougher schedule last season. This year the schedule is slightly easier, but you have to take into account all the changes in the offseason.

The Patriots could end up 10-6 given the schedule, but it's likely that they will lose at least 1-2 of the "easy" games to take away from any gains made in the harder contests. Will 8-8 or 9-7 be enough to win the AFC East? It just might. Just about no one expects the Bills or Jets to contend for much of anything. This leaves the AFC East up to a two team battle. The title may very well be decided by who dominates the two game series between the Patriots and Dolphins. The first game between these two is in week five at New England. The second game is in Miami in week 14.