The New England Patriots have the No. 12 easiest schedule for the 2026 NFL season based on projected win totals. However, fans are cautioned not to underestimate the challenges ahead as teams can change significantly from year to year.
Key points
Patriots have the No. 12 easiest schedule in 2026
Ranking based on projected win totals, not last year's records
Teams can change significantly from year to year
Fans are advised not to underestimate the challenges ahead
Mentioned in this story
Mike VrabelDrake Maye
New England PatriotsNFL
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (right) talks to quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (right) talks to quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
The Patriotsâ 2026 schedule might not look brutal on paper, but Pats fans know better than to get too comfortable in May.
According to Sharp Football Analysisâ 2026 NFL strength of schedule rankings, New England has the No. 12 easiest schedule in the league based on projected win totals. That puts the Patriots in a pretty favorable spot compared to much of the NFL, but it does not exactly mean they can coast through the regular season. Sharpâs rankings use projected 2026 win totals instead of last yearâs records, which the site notes can be misleading because teams change so much year to year.
What Patriotsâ 2026 strength of schedule ranking means
The Patriots come in at No. 12 in Sharpâs 2026 strength of schedule rankings, with No. 1 being the easiest schedule and No. 32 being the hardest. That means New England is projected to have an easier-than-average path, but not a cupcake slate.
Q&A
What is the New England Patriots' 2026 NFL schedule ranking?
The Patriots have the No. 12 easiest schedule in the league for the 2026 season based on projected win totals.
Why is the Patriots' 2026 schedule considered sneaky?
Despite appearing favorable, the schedule's ranking is based on projected win totals, which can be misleading as teams often change from year to year.
How does the 2026 schedule compare to last year's records for the Patriots?
The 2026 schedule ranking uses projected win totals rather than last year's records, indicating that past performance may not accurately predict future outcomes.
What factors influence the Patriots' strength of schedule for 2026?
The strength of schedule is influenced by projected win totals, which take into account potential changes in team performance and roster dynamics.
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There are some winnable games on the board, but there are also major tests against playoff-caliber teams, tough quarterbacks and several road environments that could get uncomfortable in a hurry.
So, yes, the overall ranking is friendly. But this is not the type of schedule where the Patriots can afford a slow start or a handful of we should have had that one losses.
Patriots opponents in 2026
The NFL has already announced the Patriotsâ 2026 opponents, though the full schedule with dates and times is still set to be announced later. New Englandâs slate comes from the usual NFL scheduling formula: six division games, rotating AFC and NFC division matchups and three games based on the previous seasonâs standings.
The division games will always shape the season first. The Patriots still have to see the Bills, Dolphins and Jets twice, and AFC East games rarely feel simple, no matter what the standings say.
The bigger swing games could come outside the division. The Chiefs and Chargers on the road are obvious measuring-stick matchups. The Lions and Seahawks away games also jump off the page, especially if those become late-season trips. At home, the Patriots get a few big ones at Gillette Stadium, including the Packers, Vikings, Broncos and Steelers.
That is where the schedule ranking can be a little deceiving. New England may not have the hardest schedule by the numbers, but there are enough brand-name games here to make this feel like a real prove-it season.
How Patriotsâ 2026 strength of schedule compares to last season
Here is where things get interesting: the Patriotsâ schedule is projected to be tougher than it was last season.
Sharpâs comparison table lists New England with the No. 1 actual strength of schedule in 2025, meaning the Patriots had the easiest actual schedule in the league last season by that measure. For 2026, New England drops to No. 12 in the forecasted rankings.
That is still favorable overall, but it is a clear step up.
If New England took advantage of a softer path last season, this year should tell us more about where the team really stands. A top-12 easiest schedule is still something the Patriots should feel good about, but it will not come with the same everything broke right cushion.
The Patriots do not need to apologize for the schedule. No NFL team does. But they do need to prove they can handle a more dangerous one.
The path is manageable. It just is not as soft as it used to be.
