The Patriots 2018 schedule will be unveiled tonight but thanks to the internet and Jeff Howe of The Athletic, we got our hands on the 2018 schedule early.

Here is our breakdown of what could be a tough schedule for the Patriots.

Week 1: Houston Texans 1pm: Deshaun Watson and company almost beat the Patriots last season in a thriller at Gillette, losing 36-33. Now the two teams will play again at Gillette in what could be an early playoff preview. The Patriots play the AFC South as part of their conference rotation.

Week 2: At Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:25pm It’s a rematch of the AFC Championship game as the upstart Jags try to prove that last season’s division title and playoff run was not a fluke. This will be a tough early season match up for the Patriots on the road.

Week 3: At Detroit Lions, 8:20pm (Sunday): Belichick vs. Patricia will be a Sunday Night match up. Many thought the master and the protege would lock horns on Thanksgiving but the league opted to make this prime time match up instead.

Week 4: Miami Dolphins, 1pm: The Patriots get the Dolphins at home early in 2018. The Pats beat Miami 35-17 at home last season in a game that was close in the first half.

Week 5: Indianapolis Colts, 8:20pm (Thurs): The rivalry with the Colts is back thanks to Josh McDaniels screwing over Indy when he walked away from their head coaching job. The return of Andrew Luck makes this game even more intriguing. This will be the first time the Colts are playing in Foxboro since the 2015 AFC Championship game AKA The Deflategate game.

Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20pm (Sunday): Another prime time game for the Patriots. Tom Brady and company will try to avenge last season’s humiliating 42-27 loss on opening night. The Chiefs are a completely different team with Patrick Mahomes taking over at quarterback. They do still feature running back Kareem Hunt who ran all over the Patriots in his NFL debut.

Week 7: At Chicago Bears, 1pm: The last time the Patriots were in Chicago was 2010 when they played in a snow storm. The Patriots won 36-7 in a game that was never close. The Bears are improved but are still a ways away from contending. Going to Chicago early in the season is a good thing.

Week 8: At Buffalo Bills, 8:15pm (Mon): The Patriots always have a hard time in Buffalo and a prime time game against the Bills could be a real challenge. Especially if Buffalo is playing well going into it.

Week 9: Green Bay Packers, 8:20pm (Sun): Rodgers vs. Brady. We are finally going to get to see the two best quarterbacks in the NFL go head to head in a prime time game at Gillette. It is not farfetched to think this could be a 38-35 type game.

Week 10: At Tennessee Titans, 1pm: Former Patriots great Mike Vrabel and his Titans will prove to be a formidable challenge for the Patriots on the road. This game will undoubtedly have playoff implications for both teams.

Week 11: Bye Week

Week 12: At New York Jets, 1pm: The Jets are always tough to beat at MetLife Stadium and next season should be no different. The Patriots beat the Jets 24-17 in a game that featured some questionable officiating.

Week 13: Minnesota Vikings, 4:25pm: FOX will more than likely get this game when Kirk Cousins and the Vikings come to town in what could be a Super Bowl preview. Minnesota is talented and well coached. Mike Zimmer’s defense could pose problems for Tom Brady.

Week 14: At Miami Dolphins, 1pm: Miami has been a house of horrors for the Patriots. They have lost three of their last four visits to Hard Rock Stadium. As usual, this game will have playoff implications. The question is. Will the Dolphins still be in playoff contention?

Week 15: At Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25pm: Another late season trip to Pittsburgh and home field advantage throughout the playoffs could once again be at stake between these two conference rivals.

Week 16: Buffalo Bills, 1pm: Just like last season, this game will have playoff ramifications for both teams. The Bills should still be in the playoff hunt and if they are, Sean McDermott’s troops will give the Patriots all they can handle.

Week 17: New York Jets, 1pm: Just like last season, the Patriots wrap up the season at home against the Bills and the Jets. The Patriots might know their playoff fate going into this game so they may once opt to limit how much they play their starters.

The 2018 schedule is tough but if there is one thing we’ve learned about the Patriots, they play up to their competition. Provided they are healthy, New England should win 12 to 13 games and once again compete for the top spot in the AFC.