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A look at the Patriots schedule

Sept. 7 — 1 p.m. at Miami Dolphins

If you think this is a no-sweat victory for the Patriots, think again. It’s not just the blast-furnace heat in Miami Gardens, it’s the sauna-like humidity and the Patriots aren’t used to it. The Dolphins are. If Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill can stay upright (the Miami offensive line is a mess), he will look to burner Mike Wallace often. Tailback Knowshon Moreno can wear a defense out.

Key player - TE Charles Clay: The athletic 6-foot-3-inch, 255-pounder emerged as a reliable beast last season. He’s smart, has soft hands, and can toy with linebackers in coverage.

Sept. 14 — 1 p.m. at Minnesota Vikings

Matt Cassel continues to surprise. The former Patriots QB beat out two first-rounders (including rookie Teddy Bridgewater) to win the starting job. He is just 8-15 as a starter the last three seasons but knows how to manage a game (thanks, Coach Belichick). He won’t be asked to be the star, that title belongs to Adrian Peterson. Tom Brady won’t miss Jared Allen (now with the Bears) in this one.

Key player - WR Cordarrelle Patterson: After a slow start to his rookie campaign, the 6-2, 220-pounder took off like gangbusters, scoring six TDs (three rushing) in his final five games. Has superb speed and moves.

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Sept. 21 — 1 p.m. Oakland Raiders

The home opener screams “cakewalk” as the Commitment to Mediocrity continues in Oakland. There’s not a whole lot of reason for optimism for the Raiders — rookie QB Derek Carr leads the offense and retreads LaMarr Woodley, Justin Tuck, and Charles Woodson (is he on Social Security yet?) lead the defense. Wild guess: Jimmy Garoppolo makes his debut around 3:45 p.m.

Key player - RB Maurice Jones-Drew: This 5-8, 205-pounder is looking for redemption after leaving Jacksonville. A hard charger with excellent vision, he can break ankles (not his) with his shiftiness.

Sept 29 — 8:30 p.m. at Kansas City Chiefs

No cakewalk here. The Chiefs have the NFL’s best back in Jamaal Charles (hey Coach Reid, hire him a moving company!) and if he’s fully recovered from his freak ankle injury, look out. QB Alex Smith is not flashy, but he won’t kill you, either. Inside linebacker Derrick Johnson is a true terror. The big question is can this team bounce back from a 3-5 finish, then blowing a huge lead to the Colts in a horrible loss in the postseason?

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Key player - WR Dwayne Bowe: After signing a big deal before last season, he had a miserable time watching the Jamaal Charles show. He has excellent size and strength, but is he motivated?

Oct. 5 — 8:30 p.m. Cincinnati Bengals

This has to be the season Marvin Lewis wins a playoff game, right? Lewis has been in charge of the Bengals for 11 seasons and 90 victories, but when it comes to the postseason — bupkis. Cincy clearly believes in QB Andy Dalton (six years, $115 million extension) but he still has plenty of doubters. He also has plenty of weapons. Receiver A.J. Green is electric and RB Giovani Bernard is a goodie.

Key player - LB Vontaze Burfict: Hard not to like this guy. Labeled a talented problem child at Arizona State, he went undrafted. The only problem now is how to stop him. He’s smart, athletic, and hits like a truck.

Oct. 12 — 1 p.m. at Buffalo Bills

God love the Bills faithful, they’re in for more of the same — and that’s misery. All you need to know about this franchise is it went out and selected the best playmaker in the draft (WR Sammy Watkins), saw him suffer a rib injury Aug. 16 against the Steelers, and then he was allowed to play in the fourth preseason game where, of course, he re-injured his ribs. Ah, the Bills.

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Key player - DT Kyle Williams: This 6-1, 303-pounder is absurdly quick off the snap. Can shoot gaps and manhandle quarterbacks, and can also hold the point of attack and smother running backs.

Oct. 16 — 8:25 p.m. New York Jets

As always, there’s plenty of bluster around the Jets (insert favorite Rex Ryan joke here) but little that inspires confidence. Erratic Geno Smith will start at QB with fragile Michael Vick as the backup. New WR Eric Decker already misses Peyton Manning. RBs Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson (there’s some serious miles on those treads) won’t get you very far.

Key player - DT Muhammad Wilkerson: A 6-4, 315-pound behemoth, Wilkerson is a tremendous pass rusher, combining strength, speed, and freakishly long arms to flatten blockers and QBs.

Oct. 26 — 1 p.m. Chicago Bears

New England’s revamped secondary will have its hands full in this one. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery form one of the league’s most potent receiving duos. Both are big, fast, and have extra-large mitts. Oh, and they’ll fight for every ball. These guys make even Jay Cutler smile. Chicago’s defense will have trouble stopping people, but Jared Allen will meet Tom Brady here.

Key player - WR Alshon Jeffery: How in the wide, wide world of sports did this guy last till the second round? He has good speed, incredible ups, strong hands, and a really competitive spirit.

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Nov. 2 — 4:25 p.m. Denver Broncos

Remember when the Broncos never came to Foxborough? Now they’re like a bad penny. Well, Peyton Manning & Co. are back for an AFC Championship game preview. Manning has awesome targets in Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker (if he’s healthy), and Julius Thomas. However, balance might be a problem as rugged Knowshon Moreno must be replaced. This is no Orange Crush defense, either.

Key player - RB Montee Ball: Peyton Manning and his receivers are awesome. But if the rugged 5-10, 215-pound Ball can’t provide balance, this offense will struggle. Ball is thick and rarely fumbles.

WEEK 10 — BYE

Nov. 16 — 8:30 p.m. at Indianapolis Colts

Fresh off their bye week, the Patriots face their third straight top-notch QB in Andrew Luck. He doesn’t have the arsenal of the other QBa, but Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks are wily, productive veterans and Luck trusts TE Coby Fleener. What will really help is if Trent Richardson starts running like Trent Richardson (i.e. decisive and hard). Robert Mathis will find Tom Brady.

Key player - WR Reggie Wayne: Can this 13-year veteran still produce? One of the smartest and slickest receivers ever, Wayne is coming off a major knee injury. If he’s not right, neither is this team.

Nov. 23 — 1 p.m. Detroit Lions

This could be one of the best individual matchups of the season if the Patriots decide to stick Darrelle Revis on WR Calvin Johnson all day. Johnson (aka Megatron) is the gold standard. It’ll be interesting to see if Revis still is. QB Matthew Stafford is sometimes sizzle, sometimes fizzle. Mammas, don’t let your babies grow up to be Ndamukong Suh. He’s a bad man.

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Key player - TE Eric Ebron: Big things are expected from this rookie from North Carolina, and not just because he’s 6-4, 250 pounds. Ebron runs great routes and has strong hands. Will open up space for Calvin Johnson, too.

Nov. 30 — 4:25 p.m. at Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers is a joy to watch. Scans the field, makes a decision, and shoots lasers. He has quality receivers in Randall Cobb (lines up everywhere) and Jordy Nelson (sure hands), but they are injury prone and if they’re bitten again, a lot will fall onto rookie receiver Davante Adams’s lap. B.J. Raji’s injury hurts (literally and figuratively) because the big boy cleared space for linebackers A.J. Hawk and Clay Matthews.

Key player - RB Eddie Lacy: He looks all of 5-11, 230 pounds, but he runs much lighter. Lacy has quick feet, good vision, and will bring the pain. He is the perfect Lambeau back.

Dec. 7 — 8:30 p.m. at San Diego Chargers

This is right around the time the Chargers get hot. Every season. Philip Rivers is a guy you love to hate (that beat-red face is constantly yapping and whining) but most teams would love to have him — he’s gritty and he wins. This is a solid running back group led by Ryan Mathews (he’s underrated) and Danny Woodhead, who entertains fans and annoys opponents with his slipperiness.

Key player - LB Manti Te’o: Kind of put up or shut up time for the Notre Dame legend. Extremely quick, athletic, and instinctual, he has the tools to be a three-down guy. He has to stay out of the tub.

Dec. 14 — 1 p.m. Miami Dolphins

Hey, it’s only fair that if the Patriots have to play in South Florida in September, the Dolphins have to come to frigid Foxborough in December — even Ray Finkle hates kicking at Gillette. If Ryan Tannehill is walking without a limp at this point, it’s either a miracle or Joe Philbin has coaxed Bob Kuechenberg, Larry Little, and Jim Langer out of retirement.

Key player - DE Olivier Vernon: This underrated 6-2, 268-pounder has an explosive first step and is the perfect complement to Cameron Wake. Relentless in pursuit, he registered 11½ sacks last season.

Dec. 21 — 1 p.m. at New York Jets

The final home game of Rex Ryan’s tenure (though we’ve written this obit before) appropriately comes against Bill Belichick (maybe he’ll wear his rings). If Geno Smith is still playing QB for the Jets, that’s a good thing for this team. If Michael Vick is in there, then GM John Idzik will be looking for a new signal-caller with his first pick (Bryce Petty? Kenny Hill?) in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Key player - S Calvin Pryor: The sledgehammer rookie was slowed early by injury. At 5-11, 208 pounds, he’s like a bigger version of Bob Sanders (sans the freakish biceps). He can roam and he can hit.

Dec. 28 — 1 p.m. Buffalo Bills

Brandon Spikes used to like to check out mentally every once in a while when he played for a good franchise. Imagine what the talented and energetic linebacker is going to do in Orchard Park, N.Y.? If E.J. Manuel can keep improving (and stay healthy), the future is bright because this offense is loaded with talent — WRs Sammy Watkins and Mike Williams, and RB C.J. Spiller.

Key player - WR Sammy Watkins: An electric college player, the 6-1, 210-pounder can fly. He has good instincts and is equally comfortable turning screens into big gains or going deep. He’s special.


Jim McBride can be reached at j_mcbride@globe.com