Herm Edwards breaks down New England's schedule and explains why he sees the Patriots losing several close matchups in the AFC. (2:33)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Last year, the preseason projection was for the New England Patriots to finish 11-5. They ended up 12-4.

Let’s see if things can get tightened up in 2016 and, without taking ourselves too seriously, analyze some unique aspects of the team’s schedule in the process.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, at Arizona Cardinals, 8:30 p.m.

It should be an electric atmosphere as the two conference runners-up square off in the Patriots’ first regular-season game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Of course, the Patriots are familiar with the venue from the Super Bowl, two times over. Tough challenge against Chandler Jones & Co., and there is still a question as to whether Tom Brady will be available. Loss. Record: 0-1.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, vs Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.

The Dolphins, under first-year head coach Adam Gase, are coming off a season-opening game at Seattle. Talk about a tough start to the season for Miami. Win. Record: 1-1.

Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 22, vs. Houston Texans 8:25 p.m.

It’s a color rush in Foxborough, as all teams will reportedly wear “color rush” uniforms on Thursday night games in 2016. Texans coach Bill O’Brien’s return to town will be a big storyline as Houston should be coming off back-to-back home games to open the season, against Chicago and Kansas City. Random fact: Bill Belichick is 6-4 when opposing his former coordinators who became head coaches. Win. Record: 2-1.

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.

The Bills have a tough opening to the season -- at Baltimore, then a Thursday night home game against the Jets, followed by a home game against the Cardinals. Then they come to Foxborough, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they are licking some wounds at that point. Tom Brady is 25-3 against Buffalo in his career and needs one more victory to tie Brett Favre (26 wins vs. Detroit) for most wins by a starting quarterback against a single opponent. Win. Record: 3-1.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.

The last time the Patriots visited Cleveland, it was the 2010 season and then-rookie tight end Rob Gronkowski muffed a kickoff that contributed to a shocking blowout loss. Things have changed significantly since that time. Win. Record: 4-1.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.

The Bengals will be coming off a Thursday home game against the Dolphins, followed by a road game against the Cowboys. The last time the Bengals came to town, in 2014, it was one of the most electric atmospheres in Gillette Stadium history because it came after the Patriots’ Monday Night Football blowout loss to the Chiefs and fans chanted Brady's name in rousing fashion. Since 1986, the Patriots are 6-0 when hosting Cincinnati. Win. Record: 5-1.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m.

The Patriots haven’t visited Pittsburgh since 2011, and here’s a fun fact to preview the game: Quarterbacks Brady and Ben Roethlisberger have combined to start nine of the past 15 Super Bowls. The Steelers are coming off a home game against the Jets, followed by a road game at Miami. Loss. Record: 5-2.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.

This will mark the Bills’ fourth AFC East game of the season, and they will be coming off a three-game set at Los Angeles, home against San Francisco and a road date against Miami. There is always a surprise loss somewhere in the schedule and we’ll throw a dart at this one in 2016. Loss. Record: 5-3.

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:30 p.m.

The Patriots will be well rested, while the Seahawks will have already had their bye in Week 5. This is a tough spot for Seattle in the sense that they will be at New Orleans in Week 8, return home for a Monday night game against Buffalo, and then turn around and fly East on a short week to face the Patriots. Win. Record: 6-3.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20, at San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.

Brady has never played a regular-season game in San Francisco, as a result of him missing the 2008 season with a torn ACL. That will be a fun storyline of the week. Win. Record: 7-3.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, at New York Jets, 8:30 p.m.

The Jets will be coming off a bye, making them the lone Patriots opponent in 2016 coming off a bye. This is always a tough game for New England, which will be coming off the road game in San Francisco on Thanksgiving week. Loss. Record: 7-4.

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 1 p.m.

The Rams will be coming off a road game at New Orleans, so they’ll be getting in their frequent flier miles in a year that they are also playing in London. Whichever quarterback they select at No. 1 could be playing against Brady, making it a matchup of the future -- Jared Goff/Carson Wentz -- against the all-timer, Brady. Win. Record: 8-4.

Week 14: Monday, Dec. 12, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:30 p.m.

The lone Monday game of the season for the Patriots, whose history on Mondays includes a dramatic win against Baltimore in 2007 to improve to 12-0 and keep their perfect regular season alive. Which outside-the-box strategy will Bill Belichick employ? The Ravens will be coming off back-to-back home games against the Bengals and Dolphins. Win. Record: 9-4.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.

It’s a big question mark which quarterback will be playing under center for the Broncos, but strange things often happen to the Patriots in Denver. The Broncos will be coming off back-to-back road games against the Jaguars and Titans, while the Patriots will be on a short week. Loss. Record: 9-5.

Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, vs. Jets, 1 p.m.

Christmas Eve at home is a nice gift for the Patriots, but this is the third game in a 13-day stretch. Meanwhile the Jets will be coming off a Saturday game the week before at home against Miami. Still, I don’t see the Jets sweeping the Patriots. Win. Record: 10-5.

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, at Dolphins, 1 p.m.

It’s déjà vu for the Patriots, who will close the season at Miami for the second year in a row. The Patriots have lost three in a row in Miami, but this time, they employ a better offensive game-plan. Record: 11-5.