The New England Patriots enjoyed the easiest schedule in the NFL this season, and to their credit, they took full advantage of it.
The Patriots will take a 13-3 record and an AFC East title into their Week 18 matchup versus the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. They could still finish as the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but their most likely spot is the No. 2 seed and a home playoff game on Wild Card Weekend.
The future of the Patriots is very bright, especially with quarterback Drake Maye already playing at an MVP level in his second year.
But the road ahead will be much more challenging for the Patriots. As a result of winning the division, the Patriots will play a first-place schedule next season, meaning they will have several of the 2025 division champs as opponents in 2026.
The Patriots also will play the entire NFC North and AFC West next season. Those are two of the most competitive divisions in the league.
Some of the Patriots’ opponents for 2026 have not yet been determined.
They will play the NFC West winner, but the Seahawks and 49ers are all still in the mix for that division title. Same with the AFC South: The Patriots will play the winner of that division next season, but the Jaguars and Texans are still battling for that crown.
The Patriots will play eight home games and nine road games next season. Here’s what we know about their 2026 opponents right now:
Home
- Broncos
- Raiders
- Packers
- Vikings
- Bills
- Dolphins
- Jets
- Steelers or Ravens
Away
- Bears
- Lions
- Chiefs
- Chargers
- Bills
- Dolphins
- Jets
- Jaguars or Texans
- Seahawks or 49ers
