The leak thing is so dumb. It’s not a good TV show. Just put it out at like noon the day you’re going to do it.

Ok, sorry,  had to get that out there.

The sometimes dumb NFL made everyone wait until 8:00 on Wednesday night for the ‘official’ 2024 schedule release despite teasing fans like children with certain dates, times and networks over the last couple days. The Patriots have a few unique spots and once again, no longer command any primetime attention.

Here’s a few quick (and way too early) thoughts on what stands out:

WEEK 1 -9/8 at Cincinnati Bengals 1:00 p.m.

Tough start to the year with a healthy Joe Burrow, Whether it’s Jacoby or Drake, if you have any shot the defense will have to show if it’s still as good as many think it is right out of the gate.

WEEK 2 – 9/15 Seattle Seahawks 1:00 p.m.

Two teams sort of figuring out their next path, winnable home opener and should be good weather if nothing else.

WEEK 3 -9/19 (Thursday) at New York Jets 8:15 p.m.

This is the Jets’ home opener and assuming Aaron Rodgers’ leg doesn’t explode again, that’s a tough spot for any QB to head into. Selfishly this is a little annoying because it means we’ve gotta probably drive to Jersey on Wednesday and home Friday. Terrible.

WEEK 4 – 9/29 at San Francisco 49ers 4:05 p.m.

We’ll obviously know just how good this defense is by this point or at least pretty close to it, but it’s hard to imagine the offense keeps up unless San Fran just isn’t what we all think they are. Probably a pretty decisive loss.

WEEK 5 – 10/6  Miami Dolphins 1:00 p.m.

I miss the days where they had to come up here in December. Assuming Miami continues to ascend under Mike McDaniel, tough game. Although, who knows how Mayo and Covington try to change things against Tua, he owned Belichick, not them.

WEEK 6 -10/13 Houston Texans 1:00 p.m.

The darling of the NFL last year and a team that’s seemingly loaded up to make a serious run this season comes to Foxborough. We could be into the Drake Maye era by this point (if not sooner), so it could be a matchup of two guys who could duel for years to come.

WEEK 7 – 10/20 at Jacksonville Jaguars 9:30 a.m. (London)

Back overseas. While the Germany trip was a complete disaster last year and sealed Bill’s fate, the team has had good performances in London. On paper the Jags should be a contender or close to it, but who knows, even if it is basically a home away from home for the Jacksonville franchise.

WEEK 8 – 10/27 New York Jets 1:00 p.m.

Ideally both the Pats and Jets are hovering around .500 at this point. I’d also rather see them later in the season again when age could be creeping up on Rodgers.

WEEK 9 – 11/3 at Tennessee Titans 1:00 p.m.

No idea how good the Titans will be at this point as they’re in a transition phase too. Hopefully, Maye is playing and playing well at this point and it’s an entertaining duel with Will Levis.

WEEK 10 – 11/10 at Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m.

Drake vs. Caleb. No. 1 vs. No. 3. The NFL is certainly hoping they get that matchup regardless of how both teams are doing. I’d go so far to say that I think it could end up being a flex candidate if both guys are playing well and keeping their teams afloat.

WEEK 11 – 11/17 Los Angeles Rams 1:00 p.m.

Based on social media earlier it feels like this could be one of the throwback jersey games (should still be the 90’s blues). But, assuming the Rams are the Rams still or at least still a contender it’s a tough matchup.

WEEK 12 – 11/24 at Miami Dolphins 1:00 p.m.

Again, hopefully Mayo and Covington can rattle Tua better than Bill did. I never think they’re going to win down there though, so no matter where the Miami trip was on the schedule I wouldn’t like their chances.

WEEK 13 – 12/1 Indianapolis Colts 1:00 p.m.

Richardson vs. Maye could be another great matchup of elite young QB’s if both guys can stay healthy. Richardson already got his chance and should be on the rise, Maye is (ideally) starting to string good performances together by this point.

WEEK 14 –  BYE WEEK

I know some people think this is too early, but I don’t hate it. It’s better than like Week 8 or Week 11. Good chance to hit the reset button with only four games left no matter where they’re at record wise it’s before you hit the road for two weeks in a row. It could have been much, much worse.

WEEK 15 – 12/15 at Arizona Cardinals 4:25 p.m.

Kyler Murray vs. Maye? Yet again, another possibility for a great matchup, but both teams could also just be playing out the string at this point too.

WEEK 16 – 12/22 at Buffalo Bills 1:00 p.m.

Probably six feet of snow, but not seeing the Bills until this late is criminal. Buffalo might be down though, so if we’re lucky, this game is for one of the final Wild Card spots or something like that.

WEEK 17 – TBD Los Angeles Chargers TBD

Assuming Herbert takes another step I would ordinarily say you can’t keep up with them, but these two teams played one of the ugliest, worst games in football history last season in Foxborough, so maybe you get a weather day and pull off the upset and ruin Jim Harbaugh’s holiday season. Wouldn’t hate this being one of those Saturday games. Hopefully the Pats are still knocking on the door of at least getting in and this one has some stakes.

WEEK 18 – TBD Buffalo Bills TBD

Two out of the last three weeks? How high was the guy who suggested this inside the scheduling meetings? Just a wild, wild move by the NFL