The New England Patriots’ 2023 season officially came to an end with Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Now, it’s on to 2024.
There’s still a very busy offseason ahead for the Patriots before they can even think about playing a game. But part of the offseason process is preparing for specific opponents, and with the conclusion of Sunday’s NFL Week 18 slate the Patriots’ full list of 2024 opponents is now set.
READ MORE:
—Patriots fall to Jets in season finale
—Week 18 Ups & Downs
—Full Patriots coverage
Each teams opponents are based on a predetermined formula the league uses each year. That means in addition to facing each of the other three AFC East teams twice the Patriots will face all four AFC South teams and all four NFC West teams – two each at home and on the road – as well as the last place teams (since they finished in last place in the AFC East) from the AFC West, AFC North, and NFC North.
With the NFL adding a 17th game/18th week to the schedule two years ago, the conferences alternate having nine home games each year. This year it’s the NFC’s turn to have an extra home game so all AFC teams – including the Patriots – will play eight games at home and nine on the road.
The order and time of the games will be decided by the league at later date and is usually released in late May. But for now, we can take a look at the 14 teams that make up the New England Patriots’ 2024 opponents…
vs/at Buffalo Bills
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 10: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills in action during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Patriots split their 2023 set of games against the Bills, and kept Josh Allen in check both times. Do they now have the formula to slowing him down? That will be a key question heading into their 2024 matchups.
vs/at Miami Dolphins
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 24: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins runs for yards during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Cowboys 22-20. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Dolphins were the only AFC East team to sweep the Patriots in 2023. In fact, their current two-game winning streak against the Pats is the longest of any AFC East team. Miami’s offense likely isn’t getting any less scary in 2024, so we’ll see if the Patriots get better equipped to go punch-for-punch with them.
vs/at New York Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 24: Jordan Whitehead #3 and Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets react against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The Patriots never got to see the Aaron Rodgers-led version of the New York Jets in 2023 (well, nobody did). Rodgers’ return will certainly be one of the most talked about storylines in 2024, and will include two matchups against the Patriots.
vs. Houston Texans
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans looks to throw the ball during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
C.J. Stroud’s sophomore campaign will include a stop in New England. Any chance he’ll be facing off against his former Ohio State teammate, Marvin Harrison Jr.?
vs. Indianapolis Colts
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 05: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after rushing for a touchdown Carolina Panthers during the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The Patriots’ 2023 matchup against the Colts in Germany was one of the low points of the season. They’ll have a chance to get their revenge next year, when they welcome the Colts to Foxborough.
vs. Los Angeles Chargers
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 03: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers makes a pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
If the Patriots part ways with Bill Belichick, the Chargers have been named a logical landing spot. If Belichick ends up in LA, this becomes one of the biggest if not the biggest game on the Patriots’ 2024 schedule, as Belichick’s return to Foxborough. If not, it’s still a revenge game after the Chargers came into Gillette this year and shut the Patriots out in a 6-0 game.
vs. Los Angeles Rams
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 10: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates the play against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Lumen Field on September 10, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
This will be just the second meeting between the Patriots and Rams since they faced off in Super Bowl LIII, and the Rams’ first trip to Foxborough since 2016. The Rams are one of the youngest teams in the NFL, so there won’t be much carry over from those games on either side.
vs. Seattle Seahawks
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 24: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Rams aren’t the only one of the Patriots’ former Super Bowl opponents they’ll welcome to Gillette Stadium in 2024. Pete Carroll and the Seahawks come to town as well. That could mean a chance for the Patriots to face Geno Smith, who they have some familiarity with from his time with the Jets.
at Jacksonville Jaguars
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars signals a play against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at EverBank Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)
After a strong start to the 2023 season the Jaguars disappeared down the stretch and ended up missing the playoffs. Next year will be a crucial ‘prove-it’ year for all involved in Jacksonville, who the Patriots will visit.
at Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 26: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Tennessee Titans high fives head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Nissan Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Titans are a franchise that could be making some major changes this offseason. A new head coach? A new quarterback? This matchup will likely be between two teams beginning a new era, in one way or another.
at Cincinnati Bengals
CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 15: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Paycor Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
2023 was a disappointing one for the Bengals, highlighted by quarterback Joe Burrow missing significant time due to injury. Burrow will be back in 2024, and the Bengals should once again be one of the top teams in the AFC. A big question the Bengals are facing this offseason is what to do with pending free agent wide receiver Tee Higgins – who has been tabbed as a logical Patriots target.
at Arizona Cardinals
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 24: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Despite being in opposite conferences, the Patriots and Cardinals have met regularly in recent years. This will be their third meeting since 2020. Last time they played, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray tore his ACL. He should be back for this one.
at San Francisco 49ers
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 17: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers and George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers react during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The 49ers are a true Super Bowl contender heading into this year’s playoffs, and have the majority of their top players under contract for next year. Between the talent level and the cross-country trip, this may be pound-for-pound the hardest game on the Patriots’ 2024 schedule – whenever it is.
at Chicago Bears
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 10: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears scrambles against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Bears have the first pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Will the Patriots get to face Caleb Williams, or will Chicago move the pick to build around Justin Fields?
