Breaking down the Patriots' 2018 schedule game by game

The Patriots will begin and end their 2018 regular season in Foxborough. In between, they’ll face a thoroughly compelling roster of opponents, including five prime-time games, the return of the Colts to Gillette Stadium for the first time since You Know What broke, and a chance for Bill Belichick to coach against two former assistants (Bill O'Brien, Matt Patricia) and a former player (Mike Vrabel). There’s also two teams they beat in the 2017 postseason who will be seeking revenge, and another trip to Pittsburgh for a December matchup that will almost certainly have postseason implications. Here’s a look at how the schedule breaks down.


Sunday, Sept. 9 vs. Houston, 1 p.m.
Opening with the Texans at home promises to be compelling for a few reasons, not the least of which is the fact that Houston pushed the Patriots last September before falling to Tom Brady and New England. With a healthy J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson, it’ll make for a sizable challenge out of the gate for the Patriots.

Sunday, Sept. 16 at Jacksonville, 4:25 p.m.
This is going to be one that the Jaguars are going to point to as a revenge game for the next four-plus months. Jacksonville still has the loss in the AFC title game sticking in its craw — look for the Jags to talk plenty of smack before this one. (I’m a little surprised that this isn’t a prime-time game, but the fact that it’s in the late window will help maximize potential viewership.)

Sunday, Sept. 23 at Detroit, 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)
Belichick vs. Matt Patricia. The teacher vs. the student. It’s a layup if you’re talking about pregame storylines. It will mark the 14th time Belichick will square off against a former coordinator from his staff -- Belichick is 9-4 career record in such games.

Sunday, Sept. 30 vs. Miami, 1 p.m.
The first AFC East game of the year closes out the first month of the regular season. It’ll mark the return of Danny Amendola to Foxborough, which could make things interesting.

Thursday, Oct. 4 vs. Indy, 8:20 p.m. (Thursday Night Football)
Chris “The Rivalry Is Back On” Ballard is going to be fired up for this one. It’ll also mark Jacoby Brissett’s first trip to Gillette after being dealt to Indy.

Sunday, Oct. 14 vs. Kansas City, 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)
A rematch of last year’s regular-season opener where Kansas City shocked the Patriots. Going to be interesting to see how new quarterback Pat Mahomes handles a trip to Foxborough. New England will have the benefit of 10 days between games, which should help its’ cause a bit when it comes to pregaming.

Sunday, Oct. 21 at Chicago, 1 p.m.
Almost halfway through the regular season, and this is just the third “Sunday at 1” game on the schedule. It’ll be the first opportunity for the Patriots to face young quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

Monday, Oct. 29 at Buffalo, 8:15 p.m. (Monday Night Football)
Under the lights at New Era Field, which will give Bills Mafia some extra time when it comes to pregaming. No clue as to why this one is a prime time game ahead of some others.

Sunday, Nov. 4 vs. Green Bay, 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football)
Five of the first nine games are prime-time affairs for the Patriots. This is the game that football purists have been looking forward to for a long time — if everyone is healthy, it’ll mark just the second time that Brady has gone up against Aaron Rodgers as starters.

Sun. Nov. 11 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Like Patriots-Lions earlier in the season, the pregame storylines are going to write themselves. Malcolm Butler’s chance at redemption. Dion Lewis against his old mates. Mike Vrabel vs. Belichick. And can Tennessee gain a measure of revenge for what happened in last year’s postseason? I would have thought this would have been tailormade for prime time, but it gets a 1 o’clock start instead. This one will mark the 10th timesince 1990 that a head coach will face one of his former players.

Weekend of Nov. 18-19 — Bye
Good time for a bye. Not great — a few weeks earlier probably would have been optimal. But all things being equal, not bad.

Sunday, Nov. 25 at New York Jets, 1 p.m.
It’ll be Thanksgiving Weekend in North Jersey for the Patriots, who will be facing a New York team also coming off its bye week. The Jets have played the Patriots tough at MetLife the past two seasons,

Sunday, Dec. 2 vs. Minnesota, 4:25 p.m.
In a season filled with intriguing matchups, this is one of the best of the year. We were one lousy half of football from the Vikings from this being the Super Bowl LII matchup, and some are picking this one for Super Bowl LIII. Another game that should be in prime time.

Sunday, Dec. 9 at Miami, 1 p.m.
Late in the season in South Florida? Yikes. This game has potential catastrophe written all over it. If history is any indication, the Dolphins (who will almost certainly be out of the playoff picture by this point) will treat this game like their Super Bowl. Keep an eye on this one.

Sunday, Dec. 16 at Pittsburgh, 4:25 p.m.
Ah, Western Pennsylvania in December. Have to love that. If this one is half as good as their 2017 showdown, it’ll be a blast.

Sunday, Dec. 23 vs. Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Back-to-back division games at home to wrap up the regular season means the first visit of the season for the Bills.

Sunday, Dec. 30 vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
The Jets will ring out 2018 with their first trip to Gillette Stadium of the season. Will the game mean anything for Gang Green? And will be the Patriots be making a final push for home field?