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