The Patriots face a challenging 2026 NFL schedule with tough road games against the Broncos, Chiefs, and Lions. Home games against the Raiders and Jets provide some advantage, but the overall demands will test their championship resolve.
The Patriots face a tough road back to the Super Bowl.
Coming off a dominant 14–3 campaign, the reigning AFC champions must navigate a 2026 schedule that features a brutal slate of road tests against heavyweights like the Broncos, Chiefs and Lions. While home matchups at Gillette Stadium against the Raiders and Jets offer an advantage, the sheer travel demands and primetime expectations for Mike Vrabel's squad will make the quest for a repeat far from easy.
Between grueling West Coast trips and the usual AFC East matchups, New England's 2026 calendar is a mix of potential trap games and marquee showdowns. To stay atop the conference, the Patriots will need to find consistency early.
Here is a breakdown of the easiest and hardest matchups on the road ahead.
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The Patriots will travel west for a high-stakes Super Bowl 60 rematch with the Seahawks, looking for immediate revenge. After Seattle's defense stifled New England's offense, Drake Maye will head into what should be an electric Lumen Field to face the defending champions.
It's fair to say that the Patriots and Bills will be fighting for the AFC East title in 2026. Buffalo remains a perennial threat, and the bad blood between these two fanbases has never been more palpable.
Last year's series was defined by road dominance with the Patriots stealing a crucial victory in Orchard Park and the Bills returning the favor at Gillette Stadium. In 2026, the stakes are even higher as Buffalo prepares to host New England at Highmark Stadium for the first time.
New England will return to Germany to face the Lions on Nov. 15. This marks the Patriots' second trip to Germany following their 2023 matchup against the Colts in Frankfurt.
Patrick Mahomes is back, and that alone makes this one of the most anticipated games on the 2026 calendar. After a devastating ACL tear sidelined Mahomes and forced the three-time Super Bowl champion to watch the postseason from the couch, he is ready to lead the Chiefs back to championship glory.
For the Patriots, this is a test inside of one of the NFL's most hostile environments. With the matchup happening late in the season, there is a good chance the teams will be battling for playoff positioning.
The last time these two teams met, the Patriots punched their ticket to Super Bowl 60 with a gritty defensive performance. While New England's defense reigned supreme in January, this matchup will likely look different, as Broncos quarterback Bo Nix should be back at full strength.
The Raiders finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 3-14, and their reward was Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Still, in Year 1 of the Klint Kubiak era, New England should be a heavy favorite against Las Vegas.
Patriots fans know this game isn't an automatic win, though. The Raiders defeated the Patriots, 20-13, in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Week 6: New York Jets (home)
The Jets made some moves during the offseason, but they still aren't particularly close to being considered a serious contender. Geno Smith will start at quarterback in 2026, but he may only be in New York temporarily with a loaded QB draft class coming in 2027.
New England swept Miami in 2025, and though divisional matchups are never easy, the Patriots will be heavily favored in both.
When is the Patriots' bye week in 2026?
New England's bye week will be Week 11, immediately after the game against the Lions in Munich. The Patriots will then be featured on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 12.