vs/@ Buffalo Bills (AFC East)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 24: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Ford Field on November 24, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Patriots will get at least two more shots at Josh Allen and the Bills next year. Over the last four years, at least one of the matchups between these two teams has been in primetime. Will that stretch continue in 2023?
vs/@ Miami Dolphins (AFC East)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Following the additions of head coach Mike McDaniel and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins looked to be among the AFC’s elite early in 2022, including a win over the Patriots. However the shine quickly fell off, and the ‘Fins lost ____ games in a row down the stretch. Will that lead to changes in Miami, or will the Patriots face a similar-looking group next year?
vs/@ New York Jets (AFC East)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Quinnen Williams #95 of the New York Jets is congratulated by John Franklin-Myers #91 after sacking quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 1st quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Most of the Jets’ roster seems ready to contend. That’s not the case at quarterback though, and early reports suggest the Jets could make a chance from Zach Wilson. Just how formidable will the Jets be in 2023? It depends on how they answer that QB question.
vs. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs signals at the line of scrimmage against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of the game at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
For a stretch at the end of the 2010s, the Patriots and Chiefs was one of the NFL’s best rivalries. That’s fallen off as of late, as the two teams haven’t met since 2020. That was the game that saw the Patriots start Jarrett Stidham due to Cam Newton catching COVID-19 the week before the game. The Chiefs have won the last two meetings, with the Patriots’ last head-to-head win coming in the 2018 AFC Championship Game.
vs. Los Angeles Chargers (AFC West)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 26: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Next year, the Chargers will return to Foxborough for the first time since the divisional round of the 2018 playoffs. The two teams have met twice in LA since. Over the last decade, the Patriots have dominated the Bolts winning the last seven head-to-head matchup. The Chargers’ last win over the Patriots came in 2008, and their last win in Foxborough was in 2005.
This will be the third time the Patriots face star Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who they’ve had success against. They’re 2-0 against him, and Herbert has completed just 50 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions in those two games. Herbert’s 52.8 passer rating against the Patriots is his lowest against any opponent he’s faced in his career.
@ Denver Broncos (AFC West)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 11: Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass in the first quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field At Mile High on December 11, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
If you thought the Patriots’ 2022 season was dysfunctional, go check in on what happened to the Broncos this year. After giving up a haul including multiple first-round picks for Russell Wilson, the Broncos ranked 32nd in offense under first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who was fired mid-season. Current Patriots’ defensive coordinator Jerod Mayo is viewed as a candidate to fill the job, so could this be another matchup between Bill Belichick and a member of his coaching tree? Former Saints coach Sean Payton is also viewed as a candidate, setting up a potential matchup between two of the winningest coaches in NFL history.
@ Las Vegas Raiders (AFC West)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of the game at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
That’s right, the Patriots are heading back to Las Vegas for the second year in a row. There’s already a number of interesting storylines here, from the Belichick-Josh McDaniels matchup to the Disaster in the Desert lateral play revenge game. Add in the the rumors that Tom Brady may be looking to reunite with McDaniels this offseason? This could be a big one.
@ Pittsburgh Steelers (3rd place AFC North)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 01: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
After visiting Pittsburgh early this season, the Patriots head back next year. When the teams met in 2022, it was quite the feeling out process on both sides. The Patriots were still trying to figure out their offensive system, and the Steelers were in their first year with Mitchel Trubisky under center. Pittsburgh also didn’t has star pass rusher T.J. Watt for that game. It should be a more complete matchup in 2023.
vs. Indianapolis Colts (3rd place AFC South)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 20: Michael Pittman Jr #11of the Indianapolis Colts against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Just like last year when projecting his matchup, we don’t know who the Colts’ quarterback will be for this game. This time though, we also don’t know who their coach will be.
Two years ago, the Colts beat the Patriots bad in Indy to kick off New England’s late-season slide. This year, the Patriots topped the Colts in Foxborough leading to the firing of Frank Reich.
vs. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 18: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball during the second quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Before quarterback Jalen Hurts was injured late in the season, the Eagles looked like they were going to cruise to the best record in the NFL. Key offseason additions, like the trade for wide receiver A.J. Brown, proved to be major boosts. There isn’t a ton of reason to think they’ll cool off in 2023 assuming everybody stays healthy. This will be one of the toughest games on the Patriots’ schedule.
vs. Washington Commanders (NFC East)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 24: Jonathan Allen #93 and John Ridgeway #91 of the Washington Commanders take the field prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
This is the first time the Patriots will face Washington since the franchise changed its name to the Commanders. The Patriots have won the last four head-to-head matchups, dating back to 2007. Prior to that, Washington had won six in a row against the Patriots. This is another case where the opposing quarterback is TBD.
@ New York Giants (NFC East)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 04: Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants looks on in the first half of a game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on December 04, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The Patriots will make a second regular-season trip to MetLife Stadium next year, taking on the New York Giants. Behind a rejuvenated Daniel Jones under first-year head coach and former Patriots assistant Brian Daboll, the Giants made the playoffs in 2022.
@ Dallas Cowboys (NFC East)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – JANUARY 08: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a successful play with CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter of the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on January 08, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The NFC East featured three playoff teams in 2022, and the Cowboys are one of them. When these teams met in 2021 it was an instant classic, with a late Patriots touchdown forcing overtime before Dak Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for a game-winning touchdown. Having a road game in Dallas on the docket means a chance at a Thanksgiving Day game, although that seems unlikely since the Patriots played on Thanksgiving this year.
vs. New Orleans Saints (3rd place NFC South)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 20: Running back Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 20, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Saints 42-34. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
First year head coach Dennis Allen hitched his wagon to Andy Dalton in 2022, which didn’t really work out as the Saints missed the playoffs and ranked 22nd in offense. Outside of star running back Alvin Kamara, it feels like there could be some major roster turnover in New Orleans this offseason.
