Patriotsy2k on the NFL Schedule

With the NFL schedule out today, it will be interesting
to see how the top 4 teams of last year are going to
fare early in the season. The Pats open with a very
winnable game, but then have to play 4 out of the next
5 games on the road - against playoff teams in Pittsburgh,
Atlanta, Carolina,and Denver. I know Carolina wasn't a
playoff team, yet they were darn close. The Chargers -
who won 11 games last year - are the home opponent. The
Eagles open up MNF at Atlanta, get 2 easy games at home,
then have to play atKC and then at Dallas. They get it
the easiest of the four teams mentionedearlier. The
Steelers have to play 4 out of their first 6 on the road,
including a MNF game at San Diego in week 5 and a week 7
matchup againstthe much improved Bengals. The Falcons get
the Eagles, Seahawks and Bills in the first 3 weeks of
the season, with the last two being on the road.

One other note: The NFL has repeated their "late-season
rivalry" theme once again. What I mean is, they seem to
have division rivals square off in the final weekend of
the season. I noticed this in 2003, not so much last year.
It can't be a coincidence, so they figure by getting rivals
in December to compete...this will help TV ratings before
the playoffs start.

Last note: There will be a full schedule of games on a
Saturday, the day before X-Mas in week 16. I can not
remember that ever happening. After some reading I found
out this happened also in 1995. The last week of the season
will feature 14 games on Sunday, January 1st. This will take
away from the fun of watching all the bowl games, with the
NFL competing on the major networks.  I guess it will be a
good bar day for most, with plenty of TV sets handy. Also...
on New Years eve you'll have 2 games, including an ESPN
game featuring the Giants at Oakland starting at 8 eastern.
I read somewhere they will broadcast this game on Times
Square for all those new years people.