Last month, the Patriots teased the five games that will be held internationally in 2022 by sharing the ‘home’ teams for each game. Based on that information, there were two chances the Patriots could end up with an international game in 2022. However, with the full release of this year’s International Series on Wednesday, we now know the Patriots won’t be leaving the country this season.
The Patriots’ two 2022 road opponents set to host international games this season are the Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers. Per Wednesday’s release by the league, the Cardinals will face the 49ers in Mexico City and the Packers – the 32nd and final NFL team to make their NFL debut – will take on the Giants in London.
While the Patriots aren’t included on the international schedule this year, it’s anticipated they’ll end up doing so in 2023 when they have an extra home game as part of the league’s new 17 game, 18 week format. If that ends up being the case, the game will most likely be in Germany given the team’s representation in the country under the NFL’s new HMA initiative.
Since the NFL began playing regular season games internationally in 2007 the Patriots have taken part three times – and were the designated visiting team in all three games. They’re 3-0 in those games, beating the Buccaneers and Rams in London in 2009 and 2012, respectively. In 2017, they made the trip to Mexico City where they beat the Raiders.
As for the rest of this year’s international schedule, the remaining games include Saints-Vikings and Broncos-Jaguars in London, as well as Seahawks-Bucs in Germany. The full 2022 NFL schedule will be released on May 12. Here’s a run-through of who the Patriots have on the docket…
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