We all said the Pats were back with the Super Bowl run last season.

But, the real indication of the franchise being ‘back’ – whatever your definition of it is – was highlighted even more when the 2026 schedule became official on Thursday night and the Patriots had a handful of prime time games.

Whether you think it’s because of the Mike Vrabel situation, or Drake Maye’s ascension, or just because the Patriots are an easy franchise to love and hate depending on where you’re from, whatever the case may be, fans across the world will have New England shoved down their throats again, just like the good old days.

Remember, it wasn’t too long ago the team was being flexed out of prime time slots for the Chiefs. So, before complaining about the late nights (assuming they’re good again and not a complete waste of your time), let’s all remember the alternative.

Here’s a look at the full slate:

Week 1
Wednesday, September 9 @ Seattle Seahawks (8:20, NFL Opening Night)

Week 2
Sunday, September 20 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00, Patriots Home Opener)

Week 3
Sunday, September 27 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00)

Week 4
Sunday, October 4 @ Buffalo Bills (1:00)

Week 5
Sunday, October 11 vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1:00)

Week 6
Sunday, October 18 vs. New York Jets (1:00)

Week 7
Thursday, October 22 @ Chicago Bears (8:15)

Week 8
Sunday, November 1 @ Miami Dolphins (4:25)

Week 9
Sunday, November 8 vs. Green Bay Packers (4:25)

Week 10
Sunday, November 15 @ Detroit Lions (9:30 a.m., game in Germany)

Week 11
BYE WEEK

Week 12
Sunday, November 29 @ Los Angeles Chargers (8:15, Sunday Night Football)

Week 13
Sunday, December 6 vs. Buffalo Bills (4:25)

Week 14
Thursday, December 10 vs. Minnesota Vikings (8:15, Thursday Night Football)

Week 15
Monday, December 21 @ Kansas City Chiefs (8:20, Monday Night Football)

Week 16
Sunday, December 27 @ New York Jets (1:00)

Week 17
January 2-4 vs. Denver Broncos (TBD)

Week 18
January 9-10 vs. Miami Dolphins (TBD)

Some initial, first-thing-that-comes-to-mind thoughts…

-DO NOT call Week 1 a ‘revenge game.’ It is not. The Patriots are not getting a Lombardi Trophy for ruining Seattle’s banner night. It’s literally the worst part of Super Bowl rematches, everyone calling it a ‘revenge game.’ Stop it.

-Don’t turn it over five times at home again and the Steelers game should be a win. That game cost them hosting the AFC title game last season.

-Probably a tough game against the Jags, but as someone who was seven years old when the Jaguars became a team, I still have trouble taking them seriously after all these years. It’ll be hot down there too obviously and we all know what’s happened in Miami over the years, which made the win in Florida last year such a big deal.

-First game in Buffalo’s new stadium. Really tough way to end the opening four-game stretch.

-Beat down of Brady’s Raiders. Zero business losing to that team last season. They won’t this year.

-Jets still suck. Moving on.

-Tough turn around traveling on a short week and facing a good Bears team. Assuming everyone’s healthy on both sides, could be a really good game.

-Catching a small break not only playing Miami in November down there, but also at 4:25. Heat shouldn’t be nearly the factor it usually is with those September games. First time local fans will see old BC coach Jeff Hafley at the helm of the Dolphins as well.

-Hope the Green Bay game is a throwback jersey or Nor’easter jersey game. I can just picture the aesthetics of a fantastic jersey matchup between two very good and history-rich teams on a raw-ish November day. Good QB matchup too. Pure football in Foxborough that afternoon.

-Off to Germany (no, NEFJ won’t be going), Pats catch a break not having to play in a hostile Detroit environment.

-Well-timed bye week, smart of them to take it (their choice after an international game), unlike Mayo. Still blows my mind they didn’t take it when he was here.

-Plenty of time to get ready for a trip out to LA. Tough game, but again, assuming health six months from now, should be a better showing for the Chargers than in the postseason here in January. Defensive slugfest.

-Gotta think there’s major AFC East or playoff seed implications on the line for that second Buffalo game. Great atmosphere at Gillette last season, hopefully if the Pats get up again they can close it out.

-Yet another short week against a very, very good defense with Brian Flores’ Vikings unit. Assuming Minnesota figures out the offense with Kevin O’Connell, it’s a really tough late season game.

-Gotta hope there’s a lot on the line for a road KC game on MNF. If one team is like hovering around .500, or both are just middling, this game doesn’t have nearly as much buzz as it would if both teams enter vying for top playoff positioning.

-Short week again but the Jets still suck. Moving on.

-Back-to-back Saturday (or Sunday night, or Monday?) possibilities against Denver and Miami the final two weekends. Obviously Denver is the more likely of the two to be meaningful and therefore get flexed.

So, as of May 14th, I think there’s a path to 9-11 wins. Like last year, the Patriots will need to catch some breaks with opponents health and their own, but I also think this team will be motivated to show last season’s run wasn’t a total schedule-based fluke.