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. -- When the New England Patriots' schedule was released on Thursday, a game-by-game projection was shared. The hope was that readers would focus more on the detail within the text than the projected outcome of each game, as there are statistical nuggets and details about short and long preparation weeks that are more notable than a projected win or loss at this time.

Each ESPN.com NFL Nation reporter did the same thing for their teams (resulting in the same projected New England record), and here is the analysis about the matchup with the Patriots from their perspective:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals, 8:30 p.m. ET

This is the first time the Patriots will play against the Cardinals in University of Phoenix Stadium. The most recent time the Pats made the trip to Arizona was for Super Bowl XLIX -- with Chandler Jones. This time, they’ll be facing their former pass-rush specialist. Cardinals win. -- Josh Weinfuss

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET

The Dolphins couldn't have handpicked two tougher road games to start their season (after a Week 1 road trip to Seattle). Gillette Stadium has been a house of horrors for Miami over the years. The Dolphins haven't won there since 2008, and they won't win there this year, either. Patriots win. -- James Walker

Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 22, Houston Texans at New England Patriots, 8:25 p.m. ET

Coach Bill Belichick outsmarted Texans coach Bill O’Brien, a former New England assistant coach, in last season’s meeting, a 27-6 Patriots victory. Don’t be surprised if the same thing happens again this season, especially with the game being played in New England. Patriots win. -- Mike Wells

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET

After the Bills lost their first 12 games in Gillette Stadium, from 2002 through 2013, they caught a break by playing Jimmy Garoppolo in the second half of their 2014 finale and earning their first win in the venue. Could their second win also come against Garoppolo? It's quite possible, if Tom Brady's four-game suspension is reinstated by a federal court. Bills win. -- Mike Rodak

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET

The Browns finally get a home game and who awaits? The team that was in the AFC Championship game last season and won the Super Bowl the year before. As Chad Johnson used to say, "Child, please." Patriots win. -- Pat McManamon

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET

With confidence flowing and energy high, the Bengals go to New England rolling. But Foxboro, Massachusetts, has been anything but kind to them over the years. Cincinnati has lost eight of its past nine games at New England, including the 2014 Sunday night game that came on the heels of a Patriots blowout loss at Kansas City the week before. This will be the third straight reunion game for a Bengal. Recently signed receiver Brandon LaFell spent the past two seasons in New England before being cut last month. Patriots win. -- Coley Harvey.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Steelers will love having the Patriots at their place for the headsets alone. But they also want another crack at New England after having chances to win in Foxborough while playing without Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant. Ben Roethlisberger will be up for the task of matching wits with Tom Brady. Gronk will go off again but the Steelers will sell out to prevent his third touchdown attempt late. Steelers win. -- Jeremy Fowler

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET

This begins the let's-get-serious part of the schedule. If the Bills want to be rock-solid playoff contenders and not the butt of "in the hunt" jokes for the final month of the season, winning against New England on home turf would be huge. Getting Brady to throw for fewer than 466 yards, as he did in Buffalo last season, would be a great place to start, but that's easier said than done. Patriots win. -- Mike Rodak

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m. ET

This looks like the toughest spot on the Seahawks' schedule. They'll be coming off a Monday night game and have to travel across the country to face a Patriots team that has a bye the week before. Patriots win. -- Sheil Kapadia

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

Tom Brady needs no extra motivation for his first game in his hometown team's yard. Pssst ... the Niners drafted Giovanni Carmazzi ahead of him in 2000. Patriots win. -- Paul Gutierrez

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

The Jets have a one-game winning "streak" against the Patriots. In their world, that's something to rally around. They haven't won two straight since 2008-2009. Todd Bowles downplays these meetings, insisting there's no added importance, but the simple truth is the Jets probably have to beat them twice to win the division. They'll be halfway to a sweep after this game. Jets win. -- Rich Cimini

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, Los Angeles Rams at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET

A difficult two-game swing culminates in a visit to the perennial AFC power. The Rams and Patriots haven't met since New England's 2012 demolition of the Rams in London. The Patriots are the better team and the Rams will be on the second leg of a pair of long road trips. Patriots win. -- Nick Wagoner

Week 14: Monday, Dec. 12, Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Ravens have no fear playing in New England, winning twice there in the playoffs since 2010 (and it would’ve been three victories if not for Lee Evans' failed catch). But there’s no tougher team at home than the Patriots. New England has the NFL’s best home record since 2001, losing just 19 times in Foxborough, Massachusetts, over the past 15 seasons. Patriots win. -- Jamison Hensley

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, New England Patriots at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET

For the first time in four seasons, the overriding narrative is not whether Manning or Tom Brady has had a better career. No, this time will offer a new page and could be the preview, if things go the way each team expects, of yet another postseason meeting. The Broncos and Patriots have faced each other in the regular season and postseason in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Both of the Broncos’ Super Bowl trips in the past three seasons have come with wins over the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Patriots win. -- Jeff Legwold

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24, New York Jets at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET

There’s something about holidays and the Patriots that bring out the worst in the Jets. Anybody remember the Butt Fumble on Thanksgiving 2012? The Jets’ faint playoff hopes will be crushed by their No. 1 rival, making it six straight non-playoff seasons. Patriots win. -- Rich Cimini

Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET

A Week 17 game against the Patriots often is hard to predict. New England could be resting its starters for the playoff run or not playing 100 percent to preserve the health of key players. Similar to last year, let's give this last win of the season to Miami assuming circumstances will be involved. Dolphins win. -- James Walker