Patriots have NFL's toughest 2024 schedule based on this metric originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots finished at the bottom of the AFC standings last season with a 4-13 record -- their worst finish to a campaign since 1992.
The 2024 season could see the Patriots finish with an equally bad record or worse, and one of the primary reasons why is their schedule.
New England has a brutal regular season schedule. You could make a strong case that five of the Patriots' first six opponents (Bengals, Jets, Dolphins, Texans, 49ers) will make the playoffs.