Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando from Indy

Which game, if any, are the Patriots most likely to lose over the next eight weeks (seven games and a bye)? While I thought New England would win this game, I also wrote several weeks ago that the Patriots probably would not finish 16-0. They're 9-0 with Buffalo, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, the Jets, Miami and the Giants remaining on the schedule. Only the games against the Bills, Ravens and Giants are on the road. I'll go out on a limb and say New England wins its four remaining home games. We would expect the Patriots to beat Buffalo. Pittsburgh could be tough. I can't see the Ravens scoring enough points to beat this team. That would leave the Giants, who figure to have plenty on the line in a competitive NFC East.

A game-by-game look at New England's schedule follows.

Week 11, at Buffalo: The Bills took the Cowboys to the brink this season, surprising Dallas with an active defense that got its hands on the football. The surprise factor doesn't apply to a division game against Buffalo. The Bills play hard, but they are overmatched. The Patriots will be coming off a bye week following a relatively flawed performance against the Colts.

Week 12, Philadelphia: The Colts proved it's possible to get pressure on Tom Brady ... amid deafening crowd noise on a fast track with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis rushing off the edges. Trent Cole has nine sacks for the Eagles, so he's a threat, and Brian Westbrook has the quickness to exploit the Patriots' bigger, older linebackers. The Colts did all those things and still lost at home after leading by 10 points in the fourth quarter.

Week 13, at Baltimore: Ray Lewis will have the Ravens' defense playing at a frenzied level, no question. But Baltimore has already lost to the Bills, and the Ravens barely beat San Francisco. The Patriots' defense, overshadowed by its offense, will have every opportunity to exploit an offensive line weakened by injuries. The Ravens have dominated time of possession and they'll have to keep the Patriots' offense off the field. That's a lot to ask of Steve McNair, Kyle Boller or a combination thereof.

Week 14, Pittsburgh: The Steelers have the mindset and running back to exploit the Patriots' defense. Peyton Manning had some success with play-action passes. Ben Roethlisberger can be effective that way, too, but he doesn't have a Randy Moss to scare defenses down the field. The Steelers are physical enough to run the ball against most teams. Willie Parker's breakaway speed could also put pressure on the Patriots.

Week 15, NY Jets: The Patriots won't be lacking for motivation here after the Jets turned them in for spying. As much as Eric Mangini would like to take down his former employer, the Patriots will want this one more -- and they're in much better position to make it happen.

Week 16, Miami: The Dolphins have given the Patriots late-season problems recently, but not this time, and not in Foxboro. No explanation needed.

Week 17, at NY Giants: Can Eli Manning finish what his brother could not? The Giants have a punishing ground game led by Brandon Jacobs, and they have the pass rushers to pressure Brady. The Giants' secondary isn't nearly as strong, though, and Moss will have chances to make big plays if the protection is there. The Patriots might have little incentive if they can't improve their playoff positioning in this game.