What a difference a year makes.
Last year, the best thing to happen to the Patriots in the offseason was drafting Drake Maye in the first round. After a disappointing – and somewhat boring – free agency, the Patriots entered the summer with an inadequate roster.
That led to no one believing the Patriots would be close to having a winning record after the 2024 schedule was released.
This year, under new head coach Mike Vrabel, the feeling is so much different. That was seen when the Patriots 2025 schedule was released on Wednesday night. Instead of pessimism, there’s a new sense of optimism around this team and this year’s scheduled games.
That’ll happen when the team has a great offseason. The Patriots front office added multiple projected starters in free agency. On offense, receiver Stefon Diggs, right tackle Morgan Moses, center Garrett Bradbury, and receiver Mack Hollins. On defense, newcomers like defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis, edge rusher Harold Landry, and linebacker Robert Spillane should all make impacts.
Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Patriots 2025 schedule:
Expectations are higher
A year ago, under new head coach Jerod Mayo, the Patriots entered the fall with low expectations. In the beginning stages of a rebuild, the roster wasn’t good – and the 2024 schedule reflected that.
Last year, the Patriots were scheduled for one primetime game – a Thursday night matchup against the New York Jets in Week 3. They had no Sunday night or Monday night games.
This year, expectations have changed under Vrabel. After a strong offseason and improved roster, the Patriots 2025 schedule reflects that the NFL thinks the results will differ.
This year, the Patriots have three primetime games with a Sunday night (Week 5 against Buffalo), Thursday night (Week 11 against the Jets), and a Monday night game (Week 13 against the New York Giants).
The schedule is easier for the defense
Mayo’s team didn’t have it easy. That 2024 schedule featured a laundry list of above-average quarterbacks. It resulted in the Patriots having one of their worst defensive performances in recent memory.
Last year, they faced Joe Burrow (Week 1), Aaron Rodgers (Week 3 and 8), Tua Tagovailoa (Week 5 and 12), C.J. Stroud (Week 6), Trevor Lawrence (Week 7), Caleb Williams (Week 10), Matthew Stafford (Week 11), Anthony Richardson (Week 13), Kyler Murray (Week 15), Josh Allen (Week 16 and 18), and Justin Herbert (Week 17).
This year, it’s different.
The Patriots face the following quarterbacks: Geno Smith (Week 1), Tua Tagovailoa (Week 2 and Week 17), Mason Rudolph or Aaron Rodgers (Week 3), Bryce Young (Week 4), Josh Allen (Week 5 and Week 15), Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough (Week 6), Cam Ward (Week 7), Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett (Week 8), Michael Penix (Week 9), Baker Mayfield (Week 10), Justin Fields (Week 11 and Week 17), Joe Burrow (Week 12), Russel Wilson (Week 13), and Lamar Jackson (Week 16).
The schedule has two tough parts
Not everything will be easy for Vrabel’s team.
The Patriots need to take care of business in the first four weeks because from Week 5 to Week 7 they have three-straight away games against Buffalo, New Orleans, and Tennessee. Playing on the road is never easy. Three games on the road in a row is tough for any squad – even if the Saints and Titans don’t look great.
That’s the first rough stretch for the Patriots.
The second is at the end of the season. This will come into play if the Patriots are in the playoff hunt. After having the latest bye week allowed in Week 14, the Patriots have to play the Bills and Baltimore Ravens back-to-back. They finish up with the Jets on the road and the Dolphins at home.
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