Who are the Patriots playing in their 17th game in 2021?

We already know 16 of the Patriots’ opponents in the 2021 season. But what about that 17th game, which is not yet official but very likely to happen?

A new nugget from Peter King at Pro Football Talk revealed that the Patriots are likely to play the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, the inaugural year with a 17th regular season game. How did the league determine that matchup? For every team, it’s based on two factors: the division you played from the opposite conference in 2019, and that same division’s final standings in 2020.

The Patriots played the NFC East in 2019, and the Pats & Cowboys both finished third in 2020. So we’ve got Patriots-Cowboys. Just do you don’t have to look it up: the rest of the AFC East-NFC East matchups would be Bills-Washington, Dolphins-Giants, and Jets-Eagles.

MORE: Patriots Getting Key Opt-Outs Back For 2021

It remains to be seen how notable of a matchup that Patriots-Cowboys will be. Neither team is settled on its starting quarterback for 2021. Dak Prescott remains on track to become an unrestricted free agent, while the Patriots’ own QB situation is totally up in the air. But the TV ratings will almost certainly be huge, either way.

Keep checking back at 985TheSportsHub.com for continuing coverage of the Patriots’ 2021 offseason.

MORE: Patriots’ 2021 Opponents

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Home)

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  TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 5: Wide receiver DeSean Jackson #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers makes a catch during the 4th quarter of an NFL football game on October 5, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

• New Orleans Saints (Home)

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  NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 17: Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots breaks up a pass intended for Ted Ginn #19 of the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

• Atlanta Falcons (Away)

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  FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 22: Mohamed Sanu #12 of the Atlanta Falcons catches a pass as he is defended by Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
• Carolina Panthers (Away)

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  FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 22: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots tries to break from a tackle by Woodrow Hamilton #78 of the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter of a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

• Cleveland Browns (Home)

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  FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 27: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)

• Los Angeles Chargers (Away)

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  INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Running back Damien Harris #37 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball against linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. #56 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
• Tennessee Titans (Home)

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  FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: N'Keal Harry #15 of the New England Patriots carries the ball against Rashaan Evans #54 of the Tennessee Titans in the second half of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

• Houston Texans (Away)

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  HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Will Fuller #15 of the Houston Texans makes a reception in the third quarter during their game against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

• Indianapolis Colts (Away)

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  FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 04: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots rushes for a 34-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
• Jacksonville Jaguars

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  JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: James O'Shaughnessy #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots during the game at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

• Buffalo Bills

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  FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 28: Zack Moss #20 of the Buffalo Bills dives for yardage as Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots defends during the first half at Gillette Stadium on December 28, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

• New York Jets

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  FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 3, 2021: Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets is tackled by Rashod Berry #43 of the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium on January 3, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
• Miami Dolphins

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  MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 20: J.C. Jackson #27 of the New England Patriots celebrates his interception against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.