Patriots 2022 opponents set with end of NFL regular season

Author Alex Barth

January 10th, 2022 12:53 AM

While the Patriots’ attention now turns to the playoffs, the end of the NFL’s regular season means their opponents for next year are now set. The NFL uses a predetermined scheduling format which factors into account conferences, divisions, and the previous year’s division standings.

That format has remained largely unchanged since 2002. Teams facing divisional opponents twice, one other entire division from their own conference (AFC North for the Patriots in 2022), the remaining teams in their conference who finished in the same spot in their respective divisions, one entire division from the other conference (NFC North), and for the newly-added 17th game, one team from the other conference that finished in the same spot in its respective division (NFC West). The opposing divisions rotate yearly.

Now that the season is over and the standings are finalized, we know the full slate of opponents for the Patriots in 2022. Here’s a look at who they’ll play (and where) next season…

• vs/@ Buffalo Bills (AFC East)

  Share

  At least one of these games should be in primetime next year. The game in Buffalo, the true rematch of last year's Wind Bowl, is an attractive candidate as a Week 1 game in one of those timeslots.

• vs/@ Miami Dolphins (AFC East)

  Share

  Will the Patriots get another late-season game in Miami? Their annual trip to South Florida has come in December or January in six of the last seven seasons, and eight of the last 10.

• vs/@ New York Jets (AFC East)

  Share

  The Patriots swept the Jets six years in a row. Will that trend continue in 2022? Or will another year of experience for Zach Wilson make them a more formidable foe?
• vs. Baltimore Ravens (AFC North)

  Share

  The Ravens return to Foxborough for the first time since 2020, when they were on the wrong side of a 23-17 game in a driving rainstorm. It may have been the signature win for the team in 2020.

• vs. Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North)

  Share

  The top two candidates for 2021 NFL Rookie of the Year meet as second year players, with Mac Jones and the Patriots welcoming Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals to Gillette Stadium. This game also has plenty of primetime potential.

• @ Cleveland Browns

  Share

  After a 45-7 beatdown of the Browns in Foxborough in 2021, the Patriots head to Cleveland in 2022. It will be their first trip to FirstEnergy Stadium since 2016.
• @ Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North)

  Share

  Who will be the Steelers' quarterback when the Patriots visit Pittsburgh in 2022? Ben Roethlisberger has started 11 of the last 12 games between the two teams dating back to 2004.

• vs. Indianapolis Colts (AFC South 2nd place)

  Share

  The Patriots won't have to wait long to get revenge for their Week 15 loss to Indy. The Colts will make their way to Foxborough at some point next year,

• @ Las Vegas Raiders (AFC West 2nd place)

  Share

  The Patriots will make their first ever trip to Las Vegas in 2022, visiting the Raiders and old friend Josh McDaniels at Allegiant Stadium.
• @ Green Bay Packers (NFC North)

  Share

  Aaron Rodgers will be back with the Packers when the Patriots head to Lambeau Field, but he'll be without his top receiver in Devante Adams. How will the Patriots handle the new-look Green Bay offense?

• vs. Chicago Bears (NFC North)

  Share

  After three quarterbacks flew off the boards in the 2021 NFL Draft, Justin Fields and Mac Jones both had to wait a bit, falling outside the Top 10. They'll meet for the first time in 2022 when the Bears come to Gillette Stadium.

• vs. Detroit Lions (NFC North)

  Share

  The Lions were a work in progress in 2021, and likely will still be a work in progress when they visit Gillette Stadium in 2022.
• @ Minnesota Vikings (NFC North)

  Share

  The Patriots have won five straight games against the Vikings, last losing to Minnesota in Bill Belichick's first year.

• @ Arizona Cardinals (NFC West 2nd place)

  Share

  When the Cardinals came to Foxborough in 2020, it turned into a chippy game. Will any of that bad blood carry over when the teams meet in the desert in 2022? With DeAndre Hopkins facing a six game suspension, the timing of this one is important.

The next step is to learn the order of the games, as well as start time and primetime spots. That will come when the NFL releases the league schedule, which is expected to happen in May.

MORE: Complete Patriots coverage

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

Get The 98.5 The Sports Hub Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date with the latest Boston sports news and analysis, local events, exclusive contests, and more.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Alex Barth

Category:

• Patriots
• News
• Sports
• The Sports Hub

Tags:

New England Patriots,NFL,patriots,Patriots Schedule