Can the Patriots finish 16-0?
The New England Patriots are 6-0 and beginning to look like a team that could finish the regular season undefeated.
Tom Brady is the leading MVP candidate with 16 touchdowns against one interception. New England is averaging a league-high 35.5 points per game, and the defending Super Bowl champions appear to be unassailable. Rob Gronkowski may be the NFL's most unstoppable force, while Julian Edelman crafted a role as a bona fide star.
This year's iteration could be the best defense in franchise history. Chandler Jones is spearheading a criminally underrated pass rush with 6.5 sacks, while Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower, and Jerod Mayo are arguably the best linebacker triumvirate in the NFL. New England can rotate 11 players among its front seven and Devin McCourty is starring for an overachieving secondary.
Here's a look at the Patriots' remaining opponents in their quest to go undefeated.
vs. Miami Dolphins (Oct. 29)
The Dolphins are 2-0 under interim head coach Dan Campbell, but they've also defeated two AFC South doormats. New England will prove to be in an entire different class, and Miami's erratic defense can't be anything short of perfect if they are to stop Brady and company.
vs. Washington Redskins (Nov. 8)
Simply put, the Redskins are overmatched at every single position. This will likely be a double-digits victory for the Patriots.
at New York Giants (Nov. 15)
Squaring off against the NFL's 31st-ranked passing defense, the Patriots will march all over an undermanned secondary. With two Super Bowl losses to the Giants, Brady and the Patriots' veterans will be focused on gaining a modicum of atonement.
vs. Buffalo Bills (Nov. 23)
Buffalo was competitive in their previous matchup against New England, but ultimately faltered 40-32 in Week 2. The Bills defeated the Patriots in Foxboro twice since the turn of the century, with their last victory coming when New England opted to bench almost all of its starters.
vs. Denver Broncos (Nov. 29)
This is the Patriots' toughest test remaining, with the Broncos sporting the league's best defense. The narrative will be built around Brady's rivalry with Peyton Manning, but the Patriots' front seven will be able to force the Broncos quarterback out of the pocket often.
vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Dec. 6)
Philadelphia's dominant offensive line will do its all to keep its pace-and-space offense on the field for prolonged stretches. In a game that could be a fireworks display, the Patriots' offensive firepower will likely overwhelm a mistake-prone secondary often enough for a win.
at Houston Texans (Dec. 13)
Texans head coach Bill O'Brien will fail to outduel his former mentor Bill Belichick, unless DeAndre Hopkins and J.J. Watt put together sublime performances. Houston's top-heavy roster needs to be firing on all cylinders to have a chance, and even that may not be enough to stop the Texans from capitulating.
vs. Tennessee Titans (Dec. 20)
The Titans possess the least talented roster in the league. Barring a miracle, New England should escape unscathed.
at New York Jets (Dec. 27)
New York provided New England with its toughest game to date, buoyed by a resurgent running game and pass rush. In a game that will likely come down to the wire, Collins, Hightower, and company will shut down the Jets' running game, while Darrelle Revis and New York's front seven will need to play its best game of the year.
at Miami Dolphins (Jan. 3)
What better way to silence Mercury Morris and the vindictive 1972 Dolphins than by joining them as the third undefeated team through the regular season in NFL history, on their home turf?