So far this season, we've seen a handful of bad games from the New England Patriots and a handful of good games. At times, the Patriots' offense has looked anemic and their defense has looked vulnerable. Other times, Tom Brady has looked like his old self and the New England pass defense has been impressively stout. It's difficult to know which Patriots team is the real one.
But we should find out over the next six games.
The combined record of New England's next six opponents is 28-13. The Pats will play the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers. The Bears are the only team in that stretch that is under .500, but if they avoid turnovers they still have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL. Surprisingly, all three of the team's wins have come on the road. They will be traveling to Gillette Stadium next Sunday.
Despite losses by the Bears and Chargers this week, this is a tough stretch of football featuring some of the league's best teams. It will be a strong test for the Patriots and in all likelihood, will reveal the true identity of this team. Are they the offensively challenged squad that can't protect their aging quarterback or are they the precision based team with a stellar pass defense?
"After narrowly beating the Jets Thursday night, the Patriots are 5-2," wrote The Boston Globe's Shalise Manza Young. "But both of their losses are on the road, including the beatdown in Kansas City. As linebacker Dont'a Hightower noted on Friday, that isn't one the players want to remember but is the one that has stuck with them.
"And they might be stuck with it, either in the positive - as the game that jump-started a strong season - or in the negative - as a sign that perhaps they just aren't strong enough to contend this year."
