Patriots facing a daunting 2026 schedule after winning AFC East

The New England Patriots made essentially the most of a lighter schedule in 2025, boasting a 13-3 file and capturing the AFC East with one recreation left on the regular-season docket.

General, the long run appears to be like brilliant in Foxborough — particularly with second-year QB Drake Maye potentially primed to win NFL MVP honors.

However, New England’s spectacular turnaround after a four-win season in 2024 goes to make for some robust sledding shifting ahead in 2026. 

Past an anticipated inflow of primetime matchups subsequent season, the Patriots — as reigning AFC East champions — are additionally going to be dealing with off in opposition to a number of 2025 division champs subsequent fall as effectively.

That can make for some troublesome matchups for New England, past the truth that the Patriots are additionally going to play the complete NFC North and AFC West subsequent season — two of the harder conferences in the complete league. 

There are nonetheless just a few matchups that must be decided provided that a number of divisions haven’t topped a champion going into Week 18. 

The 49ers and Seahawks will play for the NFC West crown on Saturday evening at 8 p.m., whereas the Texans and Jaguars are nonetheless in competition for the AFC South with one recreation to go. The Patriots will play the victors of each these divisions subsequent 12 months.

The AFC North hasn’t been all that spectacular this season, however the victor of Sunday evening’s divisional bout between the Ravens and Steelers will even land on New England’s schedule.

Right here’s a have a look at who the Patriots will play subsequent season, break up between dwelling and away video games:

Dwelling

• Buffalo Payments
• New York Jets
• Miami Dolphins 
• Denver Broncos
• Inexperienced Bay Packers
• Las Vegas Raiders 
• Minnesota Vikings
• Steelers or Ravens (AFC North champion)

Away

• Buffalo Payments
• New York Jets
• Miami Dolphins 
• Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
• Chicago Bears
• Detroit Lions 
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Seahawks or 49ers (NFC West champion)
• Jacksonville Jaguars or Houston Texans (AFC South champion)

A full schedule can be introduced within the spring of 2026.

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Pink Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.