Most of us know that the NFL schedule is set years in advance — in fact, it’s pretty much been set since the 2002 realignment, save for the random London game or other “International Series” switching up location, and a couple of teams that finish same place in their respective division. So it’s not like the Pats are Alabama, refusing to schedule non-conference opponents who have even the most remote possibility of being ranked, or playing 8 out of 12 games at home.