By Matthew Gideon
It seems completely unbelievable, right? A franchise going 16-0 twice under the same coach at the professional level would be an unprecedented achievement in the spectrum of football. You better start believing in these Patriots because their schedule is favorable enough that we could see an unblemished record from New England come year's end.
You have to start out by comparing the quarterbacking season Brady is having with the season he had in 2007, when he won the MVP. This year already, Brady has thrown for more yards through three weeks than he did in 2007 and has yet to turn the ball over. While Brady's completion percentage isn't as high as it was during the undefeated season, he has shown that he is more careful with the ball.
Despite the care that Brady has demonstrated, the offense he leads has also gotten off to a hotter start than the 2007 Patriots. The 2015 Patriots have scored 119 points in three games, which is almost 40 points per game, two more points per game than the '07 counterparts. The 2015 Patriots' 1339 total offensive yards are also more through the first three games of the year than the 2007 Pats.
Statistically speaking, the 2007 Patriots' defense was off to a much better start than the 2015 unit, but when you analyze how the '07 Patriots started their schedule to the 2015 Patriots, it becomes clear that the 2015 team has been playing against stronger opponents. The combined record of the first three teams the '07 Patriots played ended up being a measly 22-26. However, the 2015 Patriots' opponents combined record through the first three games is already a respectable 5-4. The padded beginning of the schedule for the 2007 Patriots helped lift them to impressive statistical marks that the 2015 Patriots have yet to match.
The offensive weapons that the 2015 Patriots have are just as lethal as those that played for the Pats in 2007. The 2015 Pats' team has improved their receiving numbers by almost 70 yards per game when compared to the '07 Pats. Not to mention, in terms of yards from scrimmage, the 2015 Patriots have already more yards per game from their players than the 2007 Patriots, so the weapons on the offensive side of the ball are just as good, if not better than the 2007 Pats.
Now, the only way to really figure out how the Patriots will fare this year compared to 2007 is to look ahead at the schedule they have coming up. There are a series of five non-consecutive games the Patriots have this year that will be a true test of this team's grit and ability. If the Patriots can win these five contests, I fully expect them to go undefeated.
Week Six: Patriots at Colts
The Colts aren't particularly good right now. They did just get their first win, but it was an ugly one, and Andrew Luck still leads the league in turnovers with nine in total. Luck would probably need to throw for about 500 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions if they want to beat the Patriots. The run defense will need to step up its game for the Colts, but ranking 21st in rush defense doesn't give me much confidence in them.
Week Ten: Patriots at Giants
The Giants have had the Patriots' number for a couple of years now. If the Giants have both their receivers back and healthy, then Eli Manning can lead the Giants to victory over the Pats. Eli Manning has only lost once to the Patriots, and has thrown nine TDs against them vs. only three INTs. Eli could down the mighty Patriots.
Week 12: Patriots at Broncos
This is a classic Peyton vs. Brady game. It can honestly go either way when the two of them play. I expect that this game will be the hardest game on the Patriots' schedule. If the Broncos pass rush can contain Brady and Manning can have a great day passing (at least 350 yards and 3 TDs), then New England may go down here.
Week 14: Patriots at Texans
JJ Watt is the only player explosive enough by himself in the NFL to stop the Patriots. The key is that this game will take a whole team effort. The key player will be Arian Foster, if he is healthy. In one of the few wins the Texans have against the Patriots, Foster ran for 119 yards and two TDs. He will need to have a big game if the Texans want to win.
Week 16: Patriots at Jets
The Jets and Patriots always matchup against each other well. Considering this game is on the road and the second meeting between the two teams, it might be a close call for the Pats. Brady has been known to throw interceptions against the Jets, giving away the ball two times against them in the last three matchups.
This franchise is once again on the verge of history, this team just needs to take it one game at a time. An angry Tom Brady cannot be good for any opponent. You can bet he is going to take Deflategate to the field and make every team suffer because the league tried to diminish the Brady legacy. The Patriots are going to be scary this year.
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