"When it comes to bracing for some regression for the Patriots during the 2026 season, most of those fears stem from an expected tougher road back to the playoffs. The 2025 Patriots might have exceeded plenty of expectations under the leadership of Mike Vrabel and the growth of Drake Maye into a legitimate MVP candidate. But, New England also benefited from a light schedule - with the Patriots kicking over several tomato cans en route to a 14-3 record."
"Beyond the Patriots putting the rest of the league on notice with their surprising Super Bowl run, New England will face a daunting slate of opponents in 2026, in large part due to their status as the reigning AFC East champions. For most of the offseason, the writing was on the wall that New England was going to be saddled with one of the toughest schedules in the league, with the Patriots set to battle against eight teams that made the playoffs the previous year."
"Home Buffalo Bills New York Jets Miami Dolphins Denver Broncos Green Bay Packers Las Vegas Raiders Minnesota Vikings Pittsburgh Steelers Away Buffalo Bills New York Jets Miami Dolphins Kansas City Chiefs Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Los Angeles Chargers Seattle Seahawks Jacksonville Jaguars"
"Sharp Football Analysis seems to think so. As noted by Jacob Robinson of The Athletic on the publication's NFL newsletter, the Patriots are projected to have a favorable - if not pedestrian - schedule next season when factoring in projected win totals and the quality of competition they're set to face."
The 2025 Patriots exceeded expectations under Mike Vrabel and the development of Drake Maye into an MVP candidate. Their success was aided by a light schedule that included wins over weaker opponents, producing a 14-3 record and a surprising Super Bowl run. For 2026, concerns centered on a harder path back to the playoffs because New England would be treated as the reigning AFC East champion. The Patriots were expected to play eight teams that made the playoffs the prior year. Known 2026 opponents include home games versus Bills, Jets, Dolphins, Broncos, Packers, Raiders, Vikings, and Steelers, and away games at Bills, Jets, Dolphins, Chiefs, Bears, Lions, Chargers, Seahawks, and Jaguars. Sharp Football Analysis projects the Patriots will have the 12th-easiest schedule when accounting for projected win totals and competition quality.
Read at Boston.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]