Away Games
Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will get their first look at the new Highmark Stadium when they travel to Buffalo in 2026. As always, the Patriots will need to handle Buffalo’s home-field advantage and high-powered offense in what is sure to be one of the toughest road venues in the league.
Miami Dolphins
A visit to South Florida is never easy, especially early in the season, though it gave the Patriots fewer problems in Week 2 of 2025. Miami’s speed, coupled with the humidity, have historically posed challenges for New England, and this year will be no different no matter what the 2026 Dolphins look like.
New York Jets
The Patriots head to MetLife Stadium for another divisional clash. The Jets should have an influx of young talent as they look to rebuild under head coach Aaron Glenn after a disastrous 2025.
Chicago Bears
The Patriots will travel back to Soldier Field for the second time in three years for a matchup between two breakout division champs from 2025. Chicago’s opportunistic defense is dangerous, while playmaking quarterback Caleb Williams and his host of young weapons could make this a classic.
Detroit Lions
Detroit has become one of the NFC’s toughest teams, even if they missed the playoffs in 2025. The Lions will reload and still feature a dangerous array of backs, tight ends and receivers who are game changers, along with disruptive defensive players like Brian Branch and Aidan Hutchinson. Could it be Pats-Lions on Thanksgiving perhaps?
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025 but should be expected to reload and be back in the AFC mix. It will be a true road test for Drake Maye against one of the game’s greats, assuming Mahomes bounces right back after tearing his ACL in December. It could be time for Maye-Mahomes Round 1… Ding… Ding…
Los Angeles Chargers
The Patriots head west to face a Chargers team that they’ll either have beaten or lost to in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Either way, the Chargers are loaded with talent, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, and next year there’s a good chance they’ll be far healthier than they are now, especially at offensive tackle. This matchup will continue to grow this budding AFC rivalry.
Seattle secured the NFC West title and the top seed in the NFC in 2025 and should be every bit as dangerous in 2026. With one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, an explosive offense and one of its best defenses, this is another major road challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots.
The Jags punched their AFC South title on Sunday and are poised for a battle against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. Trevor Lawrence and company under first-year head coach Liam Coen have been on a tear in the second half of the season and have re-emerged as one of the contenders in the AFC. There’s no reason to expect they won’t be the same next year. This is another prime matchup in a season loaded with them.
