2011 NFL Schedule: Breaking Down New England Patriots Weeks 8 Thru 13 Stretch
Any team that did as well as the New England Patriots in 2010 should have had its fingers crossed when the 2011 NFL schedule was released. With so many tough opponents, there is bound to be a tough stretch for every team.
They just had to cross their fingers and hope for the best.
The Patriots have a very tough stretch from Week 8 to 13, facing four teams that won their division last year. Many of the teams are considered heavy hitters and candidates for a trip to the Super Bowl.
Let's take a look at the most brutal and pivotal stretch in the Patriots' 2011 schedule.
View the entire NFL schedule at NFL.com.
Follow Erik Frenz on Twitter @erikfrenz
Week 8: At Pittsburgh Steelers
1 of 7
Heinz Field is never a good place to start a tough stretch. The bad blood has boiled between these two interdivision rivals over the past decade. Tom Brady cranked up the heat a notch last year on Sunday Night Football with a brilliant three-touchdown performance and a big-time spike in Pittsburgh's end zone after a touchdown run.
The Patriots have dominated this rivalry over the past few years, going 4-2 against the Steelers since 2005. Winning on the road against the Steelers may be tough, but three of those four wins were at Heinz Field.
Last year: Patriots defeated Steelers, 39-26
Week 9: Vs. New York Giants
2 of 7
I wonder what kind of reception the Giants will get at Gillette Stadium. This is their first regular season meeting since Super Bowl XLII.
Speaking of which, this is the guy you should be keeping your eyes on. Justin Tuck had a huge performance against the Patriots in that game, racking up two sacks, including a strip sack in the final two minutes of the first half.
Teams with a similar ball-control style of play often have success against the Patriots. New England tends to sit back and wait for its opponents to make mistakes, but it could be waiting awhile if the Giants don't make any.
That part's up to Eli Manning.
Last year: N/A
Week 10: At New York Jets
3 of 7
My thoughts on the first Pats-Jets meeting of the season can be found here, and can be echoed to the second game of the season.
Tom Brady has played some of his worst football against the Jets since Rex Ryan took over two years ago. That can't be a coincidence, as he once dominated the Jets defense at will. In five games against the Jets, Brady has completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 1,399 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.
It appears the Jets will be a thorn in New England's side for the foreseeable future, but a Patriots win against their division rival on the road would go a long way in turning the battle in their favor.
Last year: Jets won series, 2-1
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Week 11: Vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Monday Night Football
4 of 7
This game would be much more interesting if Charlie Weis were still with the Chiefs. Still, the intrigue of facing Matt Cassel and Romeo Crennel along with talent picked up by former Patriots front man Scott Pioli makes this an exciting game.
The Chiefs were a solid running football team in 2010, and also played a unique style of defense. You have to think that he would be able to key in on Belichick's offensive philosophy and stop it.
Just because they play in the AFC West, it doesn't mean you can brush them aside. They were considered a formidable opponent for the Patriots if the two had met in the playoffs last year.
Last year: N/A
Week 12: At Philadelphia Eagles
5 of 7
There will be a lot of anticipation leading up to this game, as two of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL will go head-to-head. Although Michael Vick received no votes, he was considered the second candidate for 2010 MVP.
The explosive offense in Philadelphia has been its main attraction. The Eagles have two of the best deep threat receivers in the NFL currently in Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson.
Needless to say, the Patriots' pass defense is going to have its hands full. However, if they're going to try and put pressure on Vick, they might come up empty-handed. What a paradox...
Last year: N/A
Week 13: Vs. Indianapolis Colts
6 of 7
The rivalry needs no introduction. This one's always a slobberknocker, and will certainly be again in 2011.
But man, what a great way to cap off an exciting stretch of football. The players must be thinking "what an exhausting way to cap off an exhausting stretch of football". The defense, especially.
The Patriots have a young secondary that's been exposed by Manning at times over the past few years. They will have to play sound technique and disguise their coverages well if they want to have a prayer of beating him two years in a row.
Last year: Patriots defeated Colts, 31-28
Conclusion
7 of 7
The Patriots had a similar stretch to this last year that began with the Steelers in Week 10 and ended with the Chicago Bears in Week 15. Every week, they were faced with a top opponent. They stepped up to the challenge and learned how to win tough games.
With so many tough opponents (four division champions in six games), the Patriots will have to use this stretch to prove that last year's loss to the Jets was a fluke, and that they still belong among the elite teams in the NFL.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")