The Five Most Anticipated Games for the 2026 Patriots
We are officially three weeks away from the start of the 2026 NFL season, with the first game of the year being a Super Bowl LX rematch between the champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the AFC Champion New England Patriots. This game has been long-awaited by both teams as each franchise looks to start the new season on the right note. New England has a few highly-anticipated games on their season with tougher opponents on the docket than last season, and a few rematches from last year’s playoffs that may make or break the Patriots’ season. With the 2026 season vastly approaching, here’s a look at five games that the Patriots should have a keen eye on.
Patriots vs. Seahawks - Week One
The first game of the year will surely set the tone for how the new season may look. New England upgraded their Super Bowl-contending roster from a year ago and fixed the offense that severely struggled in Super Bowl LX by trading for three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown and signing a solid second-option receiver in Romeo Doubs. Seattle, on the other hand, lost their Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs and edge rusher Boye Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals, yet they signed back most of the core that won the Seahawks their second franchise Super Bowl. This Week One matchup may be the early test the Patriots need to continue their hopes of winning a championship under head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye.
Patriots vs. Bills - Week Four
Last season, the Buffalo Bills started 4-0 and looked to dominate the AFC East Division for a sixth straight year. However, New England surprisingly took down the Bills in Buffalo in a Week Five Sunday Night Football matchup, which would be the start of a turnaround the Patriots needed to help them win 10 straight games and capture the AFC East. For the second straight year, the Patriots will look to cook in Buffalo and capture a huge win on the road. The 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen will look to get his revenge from last year’s disappointing loss, yet Maye will look to continue being impressive under the helm and command an offense that has improved dramatically from a year ago.
Lions vs. Patriots - Week 10
Week 10 will feature an international game in Munich, Germany between the Patriots and the Detroit Lions. New England leads the series all-time against Detroit, winning eight out of their 13 matchups. The last time these two teams played was back in 2022, when the Patriots led an onslaught, not allowing the Lions to score a single point in a 29-0 blowout. With the Lions a dramatically different team from four years ago, they’ll hope to outshine New England in Germany. Yet, with these two early Super Bowl contenders facing off, it should be a great matchup nonetheless.
Patriots vs. Chiefs - Week 15
A season ago, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, and ultimately Kansas City would miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Now a recovered Mahomes is looking to show the NFL that he’s still the man to beat. Maye and the three-time Super Bowl Champion have not faced off before, as these two teams last played one another in December 2023. The Patriots' soon-to-be 24-year-old quarterback could have another electrifying game that proves he belongs with the game’s best, and against someone like Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl Champion and a six-time Pro Bowler, Kansas City’s quarterback could start to feel more threatened with more great competition surrounding him.
Broncos vs. Patriots - Week 17
During the 2025 AFC Championship game, the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos to advance to Super Bowl LX. The week before, in an AFC Divisional Round matchup against the Bills, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix fractured his ankle, which ultimately led to Denver’s playoff demise. This late regular-season game during Week 17 will 100% be a revenge game for the Broncos. They’ll be looking to make a statement and get back to the position they were so close to last year. It’s a matter of whether New England can respond again when Denver could potentially be fully healthy.
