Andy will be alluding to a couple of the interesting stretches of the Patriots schedule and there’s no doubt that three prime time games in a four-week span definitely qualifies. But how does that stretch compare with some of the teams that figure to battle with the Patriots for supremacy in the AFC?

New England kicks off its prime time gauntlet with a game at Indy Nov. 15. While the Patriots host the Jets the following week, the Colts face a much more difficult task of a road game in Baltimore. Making life tougher for Indy is a similar stretch of prime time games earlier in the season. Indy is at Miami for a Monday nighter Sept. 21 and then travels to Arizona for a Sunday nighter a week later against the defending NFC champs. After a home game with Seattle, the Colts travel to Tennessee for another Sunday night matchup Oct. 11. That stretch certainly is on par with the Patriots slate in November. The Colts also have a fifth prime time game scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 17 at Jacksonville.

The Super Bowl champion Steelers also have five prime time appearances scheduled, three of which are on the road. But unlike Indy and New England, Pittsburgh’s are spread out evenly throughout the season, which should make trips to Denver (Nov. 9), Baltimore (Nov. 29) and Cleveland (Dec. 10) more palatable. All three AFC titans have byes relatively well-placed in the middle of the season with Indy’s in Week 6 and the other two in Week 8.

Add Baltimore to the list of teams being asked to play night games three times in four weeks. The Ravens will do so Monday, Nov. 16 at Cleveland before returning home for a date with the Colts followed by a visit from the Steelers Nov. 29 and a trip to Lambeau Field for a game against Green Bay Monday, Dec. 7. Based on opponents and locations, that may be the most difficult of the three teams with three prime time appearances scheduled in four weeks.

Tennessee has three prime time games scheduled including a Christmas night encounter with San Diego at home. The Titans also close with four of their last six at home, including a three-game stretch from Weeks 14-16 before the finale at Seattle Jan. 3. Of those four teams, the logistics of Tennessee’s schedule appear to be the easiest.

In the AFC East, Miami matches New England’s four prime time appearances. But the Dolphins lone road tilt is a Thursday nighter in Carolina Nov. 19. Advantage Miami. The Dolphins also finish with a pair of home games against Houston and Pittsburgh. Again, advantage Miami.

Overall there was nothing the glaringly stood out among any of the schedules that led one to believe a significant advantage was gained. None of the teams has a three-game road trip in store and all will make at least three prime time appearances with the possibility of more based on the flex scheduling late in the year. But at least on paper it would appear the Patriots and Colts are facing the most difficult grind in terms of logistics. Of course, all of that will be meaningless come September when the games begin for real.