The New England Patriots are entering the 2026 NFL season as reigning AFC champions and a realistic team to once again compete for a conference title and the Super Bowl. Before those expectations are proven accurate, however, they will have to go up against a schedule that looks significantly more challenging than last year’s.
Unsurprisingly, FanDuel Sportsbook has set the win total to 9.5 despite New England having gone 14-3 last year. Will Drake Maye and company surpass that projection? The following teams stand in their way.
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Patriots Schedule
Preseason
Week 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts — 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 13
Week 2: vs. Philadelphia Eagles — 7 p.m. ET Saturday, Aug. 22
Week 3: at Cleveland Browns — 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 27
Regular Season
Week 1
Patriots at Seattle Seahawks — 8:20 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 9
Week 2
Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 20
Week 3
Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 27
Week 4
Patriots at Buffalo Bills — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 4
Week 5
Patriots vs. Las Vegas Raiders — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 11
Week 6
Patriots vs. New York Jets — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 18
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Week 7
Patriots at Chicago Bears — 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 22
Week 8
Patriots at Miami Dolphins — 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 1
Week 9
Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers — 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 8
Week 10
Patriots at Detroit Lions — 9:30 a.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 15 (Munich)
Week 11
Bye
Week 12
Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers — 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 29
Week 13
Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills — 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 6
Week 14
Patriots vs. Minnesota Vikings — 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 10
Week 15
Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs — 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 21
Week 16
Patriots at New York Jets — 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 27
Week 17
Patriots vs. Denver Broncos — TBD
Week 18
Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins — TBD
