2026 Schedule Predictor

PatsFan219 · Feb 9, 2026

2026 Schedule Prediction.

Any takes or guessed what the schedule will look like?

I am predicting 4 to 5 prime time games. Thanksgiving at Detroit. I think we open SNF @ Buffalo.

gtfanboy · Feb 9, 2026

I think we win more than people are giving us credit for. Schedule and teams never fall the eay they do.

12-5.

Hugepatsfan · Feb 9, 2026

Gotta think one of the BUF games will be prime time.

Super bowl rematch probably too.

Great call on us being the Thanksgiving matchup for DET, could definitely see that.

Maye vs. Mahomes for the first time seems like a good primetime option too.

Maye vs. Caleb Williams could be another prime time matchup too.

ctpatsfan77 · Feb 9, 2026

BTW, here's the schedule, including home and away. Note that for the AFCW and NFCN, home and away are the same for NE and the JEST, but reversed for BUF and MIA.

[Fun fact: I'm the one who created this table format for Wikipedia, like 15 years ago.]

stephens44 · Feb 10, 2026

ctpatsfan77 said:
BTW, here's the schedule, including home and away. Note that for the AFCW and NFCN, home and away are the same for NE and the JEST, but reversed for BUF and MIA.

[Fun fact: I'm the one who created this table format for Wikipedia, like 15 years ago.]

That's a pretty tough schedule, 9-10 games against playoff teams (2025) plus KC, and MN if they get their QB situation figured out.
11 wins will be the playoff minimum, so it's going to be a grind to get there.

PatsfaninTx · Feb 10, 2026

I saw on one site we have the 5th hardest schedule next year.

NFL Mystique · Feb 10, 2026

If the team improves in most areas, they should still have a solid chance at winning the division.

Maybe players get better but the record suffers a bit.

jdlboot14 · Feb 11, 2026

Our schedule is horrible! We'll be lucky to go 10-7. (6-2 Home, 4-5 Road)
I know that sounds crazy right now, and people will scream at me for being a hater.
But it's a complete opposite from this year - the easiest to one of the toughest in the league.

reflexblue · Feb 11, 2026

I don't understand how they come up with these schedules. While we went to the super bowl and lost we have the 6th hardest schedule, Seattle won the super bowl and they have something like the 18th hardest schedule. The way the NFL has worked at least for the draft is the worst teams go first and the winning teams pick farther down.

jmt57 · Feb 11, 2026

PatsfaninTx said:
I saw on one site we have the 5th hardest schedule next year.

If that is the 5th toughest, I can't image how difficult the top four are.

A Defiant Goose · Feb 12, 2026

All these worries about a tough schedule are laughable. Once we win 14 games again it will have been an easy schedule. Dont worry

p8ryts · Feb 12, 2026

jdlboot14 said:
Our schedule is horrible! We'll be lucky to go 10-7. (6-2 Home, 4-5 Road)
I know that sounds crazy right now, and people will scream at me for being a hater.
But it's a complete opposite from this year - the easiest to one of the toughest in the league.

That's the way it works. Enjoy the suck.

Real fan 02 · Feb 12, 2026

jmt57 said:
If that is the 5th toughest, I can't image how difficult the top four are.

I don't read to much into scheduling anymore jmt.. so many factors fall into things.. the culture is in place, the QB is in place the coaching as well. The roster will be deeper and more talented...

Even if they have a worser record I think they will be a better overall team.. and better prepared for another deep post season run..

pats4life12 · Feb 12, 2026

If everything stays the same which we know will not happen some team flop and some will rise I feel a 10 win season is a win. It's the price of having a good season you play the best teams. Got to beef up that O line and fix some gaps in the roster to stay competitive.

Real fan 02 · Feb 12, 2026

pats4life12 said:
If everything stays the same which we know will not happen some team flop and some will rise I feel a 10 win season is a win. It's the price of having a good season you play the best teams. Got to beef up that O line and fix some gaps in the roster to stay competitive.

11-12 wins I remain bullish on no matter the schedule.. this team has learned how to win last season and has established a culture of winning this season.

Rob0729 · Feb 12, 2026

Way too early. We have no idea what this team will look like after free agency and the draft.

I expect the Pats will be better next year, but it probably won't show in the record. I am not sure the schedule is as daunting as some think. For example, if the Pats get KC early in the year, Mahomes might not even be playing. But the schedule next year will be harder any way you look at it.

Real fan 02 · Feb 12, 2026

p8ryts said:
That's the way it works. Enjoy the suck.

Remember post Brady years? The talk was easy schedule? We couldn't even beat teams that were worse then us during those times... one of most egregious losses was last season (2024) at home against the anythony Richardson led colts... don't forget the commanders game with Sam Howell... in 2023...

We are light years ahead and the overall roster and organizational direction is much better. Money is not going to be an issue with paying guys.. they know they have too.. besides.. RK does not want that heat to surface about being last in cash spending again...

ctpatsfan77 · Feb 12, 2026

reflexblue said:
I don't understand how they come up with these schedules.

First off, the difference is 5 wins [NE: 153-135-1; SEA: 148-140-1].

As to how they come up with it, it's in the table:

Every team plays home and away in its division.
Teams rotate on a 3-year basis among the other teams in its division.
Teams play the two other teams in their conference with the same division rank the previous year.
Teams rotate on a 4-year basis among divisions in the other conference.
Teams play one team in the other conference, rotating on a 4-year basis, with the same division rank.

In other words, until/unless the rules change, we already know 14 of the Patriots' 17 opponents for 2036.

reflexblue · Feb 12, 2026

ctpatsfan77 said:
First off, the difference is 5 wins [NE: 153-135-1; SEA: 148-140-1].

As to how they come up with it, it's in the table:

Every team plays home and away in its division.

Teams rotate on a 3-year basis among the other teams in its division.

Teams play the two other teams in their conference with the same division rank the previous year.

Teams rotate on a 4-year basis among divisions in the other conference.

Teams play one team in the other conference, rotating on a 4-year basis, with the same division rank.

In other words, until/unless the rules change, we already know 14 of the Patriots' 17 opponents for 2036.

I understand that part....whoa, now i do get it, its just a matter of luck how good the teams happen to be in the cycle. The strength of schedule is not purposeful , its random

ctpatsfan77 · Feb 12, 2026

reflexblue said:
I understand that part....whoa, now i do get it, its just a matter of luck how good the teams happen to be in the cycle. The strength of schedule is not purposeful , its random

Exactly.

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