Much was made of the New England Patriots' easy schedule in 2025, and some even used it as the main reason Mike Vrabel's team was able to make it to the Super Bowl.
Now, there could be some truth to that, but the Patriots can only play who is in front of them, and they were a 4-13 team in 2024, so naturally, they were going to get a softer schedule.
But in 2026? Yeah, there's zero chance of that.
CBS Sports' John Breech has gone through the schedule and has seen some quirks in it, and when it comes to the Patriots, well, they start off the year in brutal fashion.
"After getting the easiest schedule in the NFL last year, the Patriots will be getting an early reality check in 2026,” Breech wrote. “The Patriots' first three games are against teams that won their division last year, making New England the first team in six years (2019 Dolphins) to open a season with games against three straight division winners from the prior season.”
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Patriots get early Super Bowl test
For most, the Patriots are in the Super Bowl conversation after their exploits last season, coupled with the expected improvement in Drake Maye and the potential signing of A.J. Brown.
But we will find out how "real" New England is straight out of the gate against the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Buffalo Bills.
How the Patriots come out of that four-game start to the year will tell us a lot. Now, we won't make any sweeping statements after the first month of the season, but we could certainly address the expectations we have for New England.
After an easy schedule in 2025, the Patriots will have it tough to begin 2026, and I'd imagine Vrabel wouldn't have it any other way.
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