Expect that trend to continue indefinitely.
The NFL does the preseason schedule for weeks 1-3.
Week 4 is left up to the individual teams.
Most clubs (including the Patriots) schedule based on proximity, teams that are not in their division, and (usually) teams that are not on their schedule. Next closest possibility after the Giants would be the Eagles, but they always play the Jets week 4; that would leave the Giants playing the Jets week 4, and those two prefer to play each other prior to that. After the Giants the next closest NFC team would be Washington, but why make a further trip if you don't have to?
edit; some thoughts from the local media:
Chris Price:
Four Inredibly Early Thoughts on Patriots 2014 Preseason Schedule
– The matchup with the Redskins will be the first preseason contest for New England against Washington since 2009 when Albert Haynesworth fell on Tom Brady, crunching the quarterback’s shoulder. This time around, the Week 1 will feature the most high-profile offseason additions on either side of the ball — Washington wide receiver DeSean Jackson against New England cornerback Darrelle Revis.
– The third game of the preseason is always the one where the starters will go extra minutes, and provide the best chance to see how the No. 1 offense and defense look with the regular season looming. This time around, that will be against the Panthers in Foxboro. The Carolina offense has lost a lot this offseason, and that third game should be a good measuring stick to see if it will be able to replicate the success it had in 2013, despite losing so many offensive options around quarterback Cam Newton. (Also, if the NFL had a sense of humor, it would assign Clete Blakeman to work the game.)
Jeff Howe:
Eight thoughts on the Pats' 2014 preseason schedule
4. Even though Belichick and Coughlin are close, the guess is they haven't conducted joint practices because the game occurs at the end of the summer. Joint practices are more about installation and fundamentals than strategy, and that's why they typically happen earlier in August.
5. If Belichick wants a second team to practice alongside, don't be surprised if it's the Redskins because it's a new staff that could throw some wrinkles out there on the field. The timing of their meeting helps, too. In all three years the Pats have conducted joint practices, they've held them in the opening week of the preseason.
8. Newly-added free agents Brandon LaFell (Panthers) and Patrick Chung (Eagles) will play against their former teams.
Mike Reiss:
5 things we like about preseason slate
1. A win for fans. With the home games coming in Weeks 2 and 3, it gives fans the best chance to see top players for the longest time. Add in likely joint practices in Foxborough with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the Week 2 matchup, and that's the highlight of what was announced today.
2. Different types of defenses. From a coaching perspective, it will be solid to get a look at different defensive schemes, as the Washington Redskins and Eagles could be defined as 3-4 schemes with multiple principles, while the Panthers are more of a pure 4-3. Good exposure for the Patriots' offense to different looks with the regular season in mind.
3. DeSean Jackson versus Darrelle Revis in debut. As colleague Field Yates noted on Twitter, a first preseason game featuring Jackson (Redskins) and Revis (Patriots) in their first games with new teams adds a fun twist. The Patriots and Redskins have met 20 times in the preseason, with only the Giants (23) and Eagles (21) a more frequent opponent.
4. Work against the mobile quarterback. With Robert Griffin III (Redskins) for what would likely be a few series in Week 1, and Cam Newton (Panthers) for potentially extended action in Week 3 assuming good health, the Patriots will get good work against mobile quarterbacks.
