The NFL released its schedules across the league on Thursday, giving fans of the New England Patriots some insight into how they’ll spend weekends this Fall. Well, some weeknights too.
Due to a major quirk in the schedule, the Patriots will be playing on a Wednesday to open the season. Then, they’ll have two Thursday games, in October and December, respectively. That’s before considering their Monday night game in December. All of that is going to amount to a few strange weeks for the Patriots.
Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald noted, “The Patriots have to be the first team in NFL history to play a Wednesday night game and two Thursday night games.”
The Patriots are going to have their bye week on November 22nd. That’s Week 11, in between two Sunday games and following the trip to Munich.
After opening on Wednesday night against the Seattle Seahawks, the Patriots get a long week to prepare for their Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Later in the year, those Thursday games will create a pattern of short weeks and extended breaks as well. Those short weeks are into matchups against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Then, the long weeks are going into games against the Miami Dolphins and Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.
These decisions to play so many weeknight games go to show that the NFL is working hard to provide quality matchups in those primetime slots. However, that could have its toll for fans on Sundays, when there looks to be less important matchups.
New England Patriots Named NFL Schedule Losers for Opening Gauntlet
GettyNew England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
A season ago, the New England Patriots were criticized for their weak schedule. There’s no chance anyone does that this season, particularly as they open against a gauntlet of opponents.
To open the 2026 season, the Patriots will see three division winners. That’s before taking on the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, a major AFC East contender.
“New England’s 2026 squad will become the first since the 2019 Miami Dolphins to open a season with three consecutive games against division winners from the previous season, per CBS Sports Research. Two of the three division winners New England will face will be on the road,” Garrett Podell of CBS Sports wrote.
It goes beyond that, though. According to Podell, this is the toughest four week schedule that any NFL team has had since 1986.
“That gives New England the hardest Weeks 1-4 strength of schedule entering a season since the 1986 Philadelphia Eagles, per CBS Sports Research,” Podell wrote. “All four games are against 10-win teams from 2025, and three of the four are road games against teams with at least 12 wins last season.”
Tom Brady to Make His Return as a Broadcaster This Season
GettyTom Brady and Robert Kraft at Brady’s statue
Since leaving the Patriots as a player, Tom Brady has returned both as a player and multiple times to be honored by the team. Now, he’s set to also return as a broadcaster.
Adam Schefter reported that “Tom Brady will return to New England for the first time as a broadcaster in Week 9 when the Packers take on the Patriots on FOX.”
Brady is on the top broadcast for FOX, which typically has the rights to NFC games. That, of course, has kept him from returning to New England over the last two seasons. Now, however, with what should be a good game against the Packers, he’ll be welcomed to Gillette Stadium once again.
NFL Schedule Release Reveals Major Quirk in Patriots Season, Potential Impact