NFL schedule 2026: Instantaneous predictions for the Patriots’ video games

The New England Patriots already knew their opponents for the 2026 NFL season. Now, following the official schedule launch, they know once they’ll face every group.

Coming off a 14-win common season, the Patriots’ win complete is about at 9.5 on FanDuel Sportsbook coming into this 12 months.

While offseason modifications have the roster in a greater spot, the trail forward seems tougher — starting with a harder slate of opponents. Even with New England projecting to be a greater group, its file might take a slight dip.

Here are our quick predictions following the discharge of the schedule.

Week 1: Patriots at Seahawks

A Super Bowl rematch kicks off the season because the Patriots journey to Seattle because the Seahawks will unveil their championship banner. With New England’s offseason additions, this needs to be a extra aggressive contest than Seattle’s 29–13 victory in Super Bowl LX. And because the Patriots have proven over the previous two years, unusual issues can occur in Week 1. Still, no revenge comes for New England as they begin the 12 months in a troublesome highway atmosphere. | Prediction: Loss (0-1)

Week 2: Patriots vs. Steelers

At the Steelers proceed to attend for readability on Aaron Rodgers’ future, they are going to make plans to return Gillette Stadium early within the season after edging out a 21–14 win in Week 3 final 12 months. This time, nevertheless, they received’t profit from 5 Patriots turnovers, as New England will get into the win column for the primary time on the 12 months. | Prediction: Win (1-1)

Week 3: Patriots at Jaguars

Jacksonville joined New England as one of many league’s prime turnaround groups final season, profitable 13 video games en path to an AFC South title. Some regression wouldn’t be a shock this 12 months, which units up the Patriots to start out their first win streak of the season with a highway victory. | Prediction: Win (2-1)

Week 4: Patriots at Bills

The Patriots can be again on the highway for the third time within the first 4 weeks as they journey to the brand new Highmark Stadium. It can even mark their first take a look at Bills head coach Joe Brady, who took over for Sean McDermott this offseason. After a press release win in Buffalo final 12 months that shifted how the Patriots had been considered, the Bills return the favor with a slender dwelling victory this time round. | Prediction: Loss (2-2)

Week 5: Patriots vs. Raiders

An October matchup makes it unsure whether or not No. 1 total choose Fernando Mendoza can be beneath heart, because the Raiders additionally signed Kirk Cousins with the intention that the veteran will open the season because the starter. Either means, it shouldn’t be sufficient to knock off New England, because the Patriots avenge final 12 months’s Week 1 loss. | Prediction: Win (3-2)

Week 6: Patriots vs. Jets

With three first-round picks at their disposal final month the Jets roster has taken a step ahead. But, main questions nonetheless stay on the quarterback place — as they doubtless will goal the spot within the 2027 NFL Draft — and with Aaron Glenn again for Year 2. | Prediction: Win (4-2)

Week 7: Patriots at Bears (TNF)

A matchup between two of the highest quarterbacks from the 2024 draft — and two of final 12 months’s prime teaching candidates. Maye acquired one of the best of Williams of their first assembly as rookies, however Chicago’s roster is in significantly better form this time round. That might give New England hassle on a brief week in a possible high-scoring Thursday night time matchup. | Prediction: Loss (4-3)

Week 8: Patriots at Dolphins

A uncommon October sport in Miami for the Patriots, who overcame the franchise’s struggles in Florida final season with a back-and-forth Week 2 victory that sparked an undefeated highway marketing campaign for the Patriots. After firing Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins hit the reset button on their roster, consuming vital cap hits to maneuver on from gamers resembling Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Things now flip over to go coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis, who each arrive from Green Bay, however the roster overhaul might make for a difficult first season. | Prediction: Win (5-3)

Week 9: Patriots vs. Packers

A 4:25 p.m. sport vs. the Packers might set the stage for a FOX sport broadcasted by Tom Brady, who was New England’s quarterback the final time Green Bay made the journey to Gillette Stadium in 2018. They now are available in 2026 with one of many league’s greatest QB-play caller duos in Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur, who’s again with the group with a brand new multi-year extension. With Micah Parsons doubtless again wholesome from a torn ACL at this level, Green Bay spoils New England’s excellent dwelling file so far. | Prediction: Loss (5-4)

Week 10: Patriots at Lions (Germany)

The Patriots keep away from a real highway atmosphere at a loud Ford Field as they head to Germany, the place a robust New England crowd is predicted. Slowing down Jahmyr Gibbs, nevertheless, is not any straightforward job on any area, however the Patriots do sufficient defensively to present Drake Maye the chance to safe New England’s first win as a franchise in Germany. | Prediction: Win (6-4)

Week 12: Patriots at Chargers (SNF)

The Patriots bested the Chargers in final 12 months’s Wild Card spherical behind a dominant defensive effort, sacking Justin Herbert six occasions. With Los Angeles getting its beginning deal with duo again in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt — and hiring Mike McDaniel to coordinate the offense — the unit needs to be among the many league’s greatest in 2026. Even after the bye, a cross nation journey ends in a primetime loss. | Prediction: Loss (6-5)

Week 13: Patriots vs. Bills

After dropping their Week 4 matchup to the Bills in Buffalo, the rivalry heads to Gillette Stadium the place the Patriots blew a 21-0 lead final December. This time, nevertheless, New England holds on to as soon as once more cut up the season sequence and get again within the win column on the 12 months. | Prediction: Win (7-5)

Week 14: Patriots vs. Vikings (TNF)

Following a big-win over the Bills, New England could have a brief week for his or her second Thursday night time sport of the season — which can happen at Gillette Stadium in opposition to one other NFC North opponent. The massive query for Minnesota can be who’s beginning at quarterback by Week 11: 2024 first-round choose J.J. McCarthy or free agent addition Kyler Murray? With both working on a brief week and on the highway, the Patriots handle enterprise. | Prediction: Win (8-5)

Week 15: Patriots at Chiefs (MNF)

A late-season matchup in opposition to the Chiefs means the Patriots ought to face Patrick Mahomes, because the quarterback is progressing effectively from a late-season ACL tear. How Kansas City seems to be round Mahomes after taking a step again final 12 months stays to be seen, whereas New England will profit from a late-season mini-bye with 10 days of preparation earlier than touring to Arrowhead. | Prediction: Win (9-5)

Week 16: Patriots at Jets

Following a giant Monday Night Football matchup in opposition to Mahomes and the Chiefs, a brief Christmas week and a visit to the Meadowlands arrange a possible entice sport in opposition to the Jets. New England dealt with these conditions effectively final season — together with a Thursday night time win over New York — and will proceed that development in opposition to a much less gifted Jets squad to finish the season sweep. | Prediction: Win (10-5)

Week 17: Patriots vs. Broncos

A late-season AFC Championship Game rematch might carry main playoff implications and it will not be stunning to see this flexed right into a primetime slot. After defeating the Jarrett Stidham-led Broncos final January, the Patriots ought to now see Bo Nix beneath heart with new weapon Jaylen Waddle at his disposal. But Denver can even be dealing with a greater model of New England, which results in an analogous consequence as final 12 months’s showdown. | Prediction: Win (11-5)

Week 18: Patriots vs. Dolphins

New England ends the season at dwelling vs. the Dolphins for the second straight season. A foul Miami group coming to a chilly Foxboro within the season finale will doubtless play out similarly. | Prediction: Win (12-5)