The New England Patriots are slight favorites in NFL betting odds to win the AFC East this season but they have the most difficult schedule of any team in the division. The Patriots have the sixth-toughest schedule in the NFL this season so it will not be easy for New England vs. the NFL odds.
NFL betting odds favor the Patriots in their opening game on September 12th as they host the Cincinnati Bengals. The Patriots will likely be road underdogs at the New York Jets in Week 2 before they come home to host Buffalo in Week 3. They face a tough game in Miami in Week 4 and then have their bye early in Week 5.
After the bye week the schedule is really difficult for New England vs. the NFL odds. They have a rematch with the Baltimore Ravens who eliminated them last season and then they go to San Diego for a tough game against the Chargers. They may get a break as they host the Minnesota Vikings if Brett Favre stays retired. Games at Cleveland and Pittsburgh will not be easy and then New England has their annual battle with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 11. The game against Detroit in Week 12 should be easy but is a bad spot for the Patriots as it is a huge letdown game after facing the Colts and it is on Thanksgiving.
The Patriots get some extra rest after that game and then face the New York Jets on Monday night in Week 13. They then have tough games at Chicago and home against Green Bay in Weeks 14 and 15. The Patriots finish up at Buffalo in Week 16 NFL betting odds and at home against Miami in Week 17.
The Patriots will play eight games against teams that made the playoffs last season but at least they get six of those games at home. New England has four prime time games including two on Monday night. They will play at least two games on Sunday night and possibly more as NBC has the right to change their schedule late in the season as warranted. The Patriots are expected to challenge for the AFC East title this season but to do so they will have to navigate a very difficult schedule.