Week 1: @ Miami Dolphins (Sept. 11, 1:00)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – AUGUST 21: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins runs with the ball during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
After five seasons in a row playing at home to start the season, the Patriots will head on the road for Week 1 in 2022. They’ll open the season against the Miami Dolphins, who have loaded up this offseason with moves highlighted by the addition of wide receiver Tyreek Hill. This also means the Patriots won’t have to make the dreaded late season trip to South Florida.
Week 2: @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Sept. 18, 1:00)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 03: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a sack during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on January 03, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sept. 25, 1:00)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The Patriots’ home-opener is a rematch of their marquee win from the 2020 season. Baltimore comes to Gillette Stadium for the first time since losing in a late-season downpour during the COVID season.
Week 4: @ Green Bay Packers (Oct. 2, 4:25)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 02: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers drops back to pass during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on January 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Vikings 37-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
One of the highlight games of this season comes early in the year. The Patriots will begin the month of October on the road, taking on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Week 5: vs. Detroit Lions (Oct. 9, 1:00)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 02: D’Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at Lumen Field on January 02, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Patriots stay in the NFC North as they return home in Week 5 to take on the Detroit Lions. This will be their first meeting since the Lions upset the Patriots early in 2018 season under head coach Matt Patricia, who is now back in New England.
Week 6: @ Cleveland Browns (Oct. 16, 1:00)
BEREA, OHIO – MARCH 25: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is introduced by general manager Andrew Berry (L) and head coach Kevin Stefanski during a press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 25, 2022 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The Patriots will travel to take on the new-look Browns in Week 6. Will Deshaun Watson be available, or will he be facing a suspension?
Week 7: vs. Chicago Bears (Monday Oct. 24, 8:15)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 20: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears looks to pass during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on December 20, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
After Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance were quickly established as the top three picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, Mac Jones and Justin Fields were linked throughout much of the pre-draft process. They’ll face each other for the first time in primetime, as the Patriots host their first Monday Night Football game in front of fans since 2016.
Week 8: @ New York Jets (Oct. 30, 1:00)
Sep 19, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) gains yards after the catch as New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) pursues during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
It’ll be two months before the Patriots play their second divisional game. That’ll also be on the road, as they make the short trip south to take on the Jets.
Week 9: vs. Indianapolis Colts (Nov. 6, 1:00)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 05, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Last season, the Patriots’ slide started with their post-bye meeting with the Colts in Indianapolis. This year, they take on the Colts at home leading into the bye.
Week 10: BYE
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots walks off the field after losing 33-24 to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
A Week 10 bye is nearly ideal, towards the middle of the 18-week season but on the latter end. It’s certainly an improvement from their Week 14 bye in 2021.
Week 11: vs. New York Jets (Nov. 20, 1:00)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 24: Daniel Ekuale #95 of the New England Patriots rushes against Greg Van Roten #62 of the New York Jets during the game at Gillette Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
This year’s series with the Jets wraps up relatively quicky. New York comes to Foxborough for the second game between the two teams in late November.
Week 12: @ Minnesota Vikings (Thursday Nov. 24, 8:20)
Sep 26, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
For the first time in 10 years, the Patriots will play on Thanksgiving. They’ll visit the Minnesota Vikings for the Turkey Day nightcap. It will be their first time playing at U.S. Bank Stadium since Super Bowl LII, and their first time playing the Vikings in the building. The Patriots haven’t lost to the Vikings since 2000, with five straight wins in the series.
Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills (Thursday Dec. 1 8:15)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 26: Damien Harris #37 of the New England Patriots runs the ball for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
It’ll be three months before the Patriots and Bills renew their rivalry, but they’ll do so in primetime. This will be the Patriots’ first season with multiple Thursday games since 2017, and their first time ever playing back-to-back Thursday night games.
Week 14: @ Arizona Cardinals (Monday Dec. 12, 8:15)
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury talks with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings in Glendale, Ariz. Sept. 19, 2021. (Michael Chow/The Republic/USA TODAY Network)
A favorable draw? Under Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have struggled throughout the second half of the season. Will the Patriots help that trend continue this year?
Week 15: @ Las Vegas Raiders (Dec. 18, 8:20)
Feb 3, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; An image of newly hired Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels at Allegiant Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots make their first ever trip to Vegas the week before Christmas. The reunion with Josh McDaniels and a host of other former Patriots players and staffers will take place in primetime.
Week 16: vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Saturday Dec. 24, 1:00)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 31: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws the ball during warm-ups before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 31, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins (Jan. 1, 1:00)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 12: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins looks on from under center against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
There will likely be major postseason implications hanging on this New Year’s Day game. At the same time, each side will likely look much different than the Week 1 matchup.
Week 18: @ Buffalo Bills (Jan. 7 or 8, TBD)
Isaiah McKenzie #19 of the Buffalo Bills runs out of bounds after catching a pass against Joejuan Williams #33 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
If any sort of playoff seeding comes down to the final weekend for the Patriots, they’ll really have to work to earn it. They travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills in the regular season finale. This one is a prime candidate to get flexed.
