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The full NFL schedule for the 2023 season will be released Thursday night, but some of it is leaking out ahead of time. We'll be tracking it all here:
As if the Patriots didn’t have enough on their plate for the 2023 season opener, which will be at home, having announced The Thank You Tom Brady tribute earlier, we’ve just learned they’ll be hosting the Super Bowl runner-ups to kick off the season as well.
According to multiple reports, the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles will open their season in Foxboro. The teams are no strangers to emotional affairs, which this most certainly will be, having locked up in two tightly contested Super Bowls over the past 20 years. The Pats got the best of Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid’s Eagles in Super Bowl 39, and, well, no need to revisit the Philly Special and how Super Bowl 52 panned out. We know Tom Brady brought the energy that day, and he and his adoring fanbase will likely do so again for this massive tribute.
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The Patriots have a lot to prove this season, and the Eagles will be quite the opening test. Philly has a high-powered offense, led by MVP candidate Jalen Hurts and receiver AJ Brown, which will stress a Pats D that was fortified in the recent draft. Conversely, the Pats offense struggled mightily last year, and Philly’s excellent defense with a ferocious pass rush will be quite the test for new OC Bill O’Brien, Mac Jones and company.
If Mac and the Pats offense struggle, forget the calls of “Zap-pe! Zap-pe!” – you’ll be hearing calls for “Bra-dy! Bra-dy!”. Should make for a dynamite matchup and some great theater to kick off what should be a thrilling season.
Here are all the reported or confirmed Patriots games so far:
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Boston Herald)
Week 2: vs. Miami Dolphins (Boston Herald)
Week 3: at New York Jets (New York Post)
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys (Mike Giardi)
Week 5:
Week 6: at Las Vegas Raiders (Boston Sports Journal)
Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills (Mike Giardi)
Week 8:
Week 9:
Week 10: vs. Indianapolis Colts in Germany (NFL announcement)
Week 11:
Week 12: at New York Giants (New York Post)
Week 13:
Week 14:
Week 15: vs. Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football (Boston Herald)
Week 16: at Denver Broncos (Boston Herald)
Week 17: at Buffalo Bills (Mike Giardi)
Week 18: vs. New York Jets (New York Post)
For more on the 2023 Patriots schedule tune in to The Rich Keefe Show Schedule Release Party tonight on 93.7 FM WEEI and WEEI.com as well as The 6 Rings and Football Things podcast.