The Patriots open up the season with the biggest challenger possible: the reigning champs who put a 29-13 beatdown on New England in Super Bowl 60. This rematch could give Drake Maye a shot at redemption for his injury-hampered performance in February, but the Seahawks retained Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed, so the Patriots’ talented secondary will continue to have their hands full.
2. At Buffalo Bills – Sun., Oct. 4
New England’s biggest competition in its division may present a little more of a mystery than in years past. New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard may have a different-looking defense and they upgraded Josh Allen with not just a fat contract extension, but the addition of wide receiver DJ Moore, as well. There’s also, of course, the promotion of Joe Brady to head coach.
3. Vs. Denver Broncos – TBD, Week 17
The Broncos get their own chance at revenge for last year’s conference championship – this time, they must hope, with starting quarterback Bo Nix under center. Denver made a blockbuster move adding receiver Jaylen Waddle in the spring.
4. Vs. Buffalo Bills – Sun., Dec. 6
Here are the Bills again, this time at home. In an ideal world, these two teams will be slugging it out for the division and, possibly, the bye-week in the playoffs. They’ll have more film on each other, but this will be a key game for the entire season,
5. Vs. Green Bay Packers – Sun., Nov. 8
The Packers looked unstoppable to start last season, but losing Micah Parsons to injury dealt them a serious blow. The bad news for the Patriots is that Parsons told ESPN.com he plans to return in mid-October, so Will Campbell and the rest of the offensive line will have their work cut out for them. The Packers lost some offensive weapons, including receiver Romeo Doubs, who chose the Patriots in free agency. It will be fascinating to see the offensive chess match between Josh McDaniels and Matt LaFleur.
6. At Kansas City Chiefs – Mon., Dec. 21
This ranking is betting on Patrick Mahomes looking as close to healthy-Mahomes as he can, given the late date in the season. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy should function as his top options, but the Chiefs also bolstered their running game with the addition of Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III. Losing Trent McDuffie is a big blow to their secondary, but it’s also never a cakewalk for a visiting offense to play at Arrowhead in December.
7. At Jacksonville Jaguars, Sun., Sept. 27
No team spent less in free agency this past spring than the Jaguars, and their position in these rankings is largely due to the challenge of playing in the brutal Florida heat early in the season – a hurdle past Patriots groups know well. The Jags return a great defense that should have Travis Hunter healthy, and old friend Jakobi Meyers as a dependable target for Trevor Lawrence.
8. At Chicago Bears – Thur., Oct. 22
There it is – the coinflip of a Thursday night game. The Patriots have to travel out to Chicago on a short week, and although they’ll meet a Bears team without D.J. Moore on the roster, they’ll have to face an improving Caleb Williams in his second season playing through Ben Johnson’s enviable playbook.
9. Vs. Detroit Lions – Sun., Nov. 15
Here’s another tough-to-predict matchup, this time all the way out in Munich, Germany. The Lions offense is no joke, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs to contend with. Aiden Hutchinson and the Detroit defense will make life tough for Maye.
10. At Los Angeles Chargers – Sun., Nov. 29
The Chargers get the benefit of the Patriots on a long road trip, even if there are more Patriots fans in the stands than the home team’s squad. New England beat the Chargers in the Wild Card round last year and got after Justin Herbert with six sacks. But this year, Herbert will have Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator. The Patriots should still be able to get it done in Southern California.
11. Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Sun., Sept. 20
Aaron Rodgers is back for his 22nd season, but Mike Tomlin is out, and Rodgers is reunited with Mike McCarthy. The bet has to be on this duo being past their prime, but adding Michael Pittman Jr. is a fascinating move.
12. Vs. Minnesota Vikings – Thurs., Dec. 10
The Vikings had a relatively quiet offseason and the biggest question has to be, who will the Patriots see at quarterback in week 14? J.J. McCarthy has a long way to go in saving Minnesota face for moving on from Sam Darnold, and Kyler Murray must be looking for a path back to QB1.
13. Vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Sun., Oct. 11
The Raiders can’t possibly have had a worse offseason than they did last year, and they have to hope Klint Kubiak and Fernando Mendoza are the pair that will work for the next decade. The Patriots may still catch veteran Kirk Cousins, but an even bigger note is that they’ll have to see an assumingly healthy Maxx Crosby – a nightmare for every offensive line. New England’s big boys are lucky to be early in the season with that challenge.
14. Vs. Miami Dolphins – TBD, Week 18
The Dolphins are entering a staggering rebuild, and even if the Patriots rest their starters for this final game, they should handle business. Malik Willis has nobody to throw the ball to. This team reeks of the old Brady-era Dolphins. They actually just reek.
15. At Miami Dolphins – Sun., Nov. 1
See above, but with starters, and without the benefit of punishing heat if the Patriots caught this trip in September.
16. At New York Jets – Sun., Dec. 27
The Dolphins and Jets will be competing not just for the bottom of the division, but the basement of the league. Will the Jets’ defense have an interception by Christmas, 2026? This should be a feel-good game for a Patriots team coming off Monday Night Football against Mahomes, and even one less day off won’t move the needle.
17. Vs. New York Jets – Sun., Oct. 18
Poor Geno Smith.
