17 weeks, 17 questions: Deconstructing the Patriots 2019 regular-season slate

The Patriots are scheduled for five prime-time games in 2019, as well as a November replay of the AFC title game, and a handful of intriguing matchups against some high-profile opponents and ex-assistants. Let’s get right into things, with a little analysis and a question about each game.


Sunday, Sept. 8 vs. Pittsburgh, 8:20 p.m.
Legitimately surprised — would have thought the Chiefs or Cowboys would have had a better shot here, but Patriots-Steelers is compelling theater regardless. This will be the third time Pittsburgh will be the opening night opponent for a New England banner unveiling.
One question: What’s the over/under on the amount of times between now and the opener we’ll hear about Mike Tomlin’s headsets going out back in 2015?

Sunday, Sept. 15 at Miami, 1 p.m.
South Florida has always been a dicey proposition. Given how Bill Belichick struggled against two old friends on the road last year (Matt Patricia in Detroit and Mike Vrabel in Tennessee), this one has the potential to be very interesting.
One question: Can Brian Flores replicate the same sort of magic against his old club that Vrabel and Patricia enjoyed last year?

Sunday, Sept. 22 vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m.
New York will be on a short week, coming off a Monday night game against the Browns. It’ll mark the earliest Patriots-Jets contest since they played a Thursday night game on Sept. 12, 2013.
One question: The first visit to Foxborough for Le’Veon Bell as a member of the Jets. What sort of impact will he have on New York’s offense?

Sunday, Sept. 29 at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Patriots have won 14 of their last 15 games in Buffalo. As close to an early-season road layup as any opponent on the schedule.
One question: Who’s the broadcast duo for this game? This reeks of an Ian Eagle-Dan Fouts combo.

Sunday, Oct. 6 at Washington, 1 p.m.
Arguably the least interesting game on the schedule.
One question: Do you guys like 1 p.m. kickoffs? Too bad, because this is scheduled to be the last one for New England until December.

Thursday, Oct. 10 vs. New York Giants, 8:20 p.m.
The last three regular-season games between these two teams have been really great games (2007, 2011, 2015), with two of them serving as Super Bowl previews. I feel secure in saying while the Giants always make for a compelling opponent, this one won’t be a preview of this year’s Super Bowl.
One question: Will this be the last Tom Brady-Eli Manning game?

Monday, Oct. 21 at New York Jets, 8:15 p.m.
Eleven days for Belichick to prepare for a date with the Jets. Monday night in North Jersey. What more could you ask for?
One question: The Jets have one of the easiest schedules in the league. Could Adam Gase and his team take advantage of the cushy start to mount a challenge in the AFC East?

Sunday, Oct. 27 vs. Cleveland, 4:25 p.m.
Of course, for every long week, there’s a short week thrown in there for good measure. If everyone stays healthy, this one will be a lot of fun. A young and hungry Browns team coming into Gillette to face the Super Bowl champions.
One question: How great will the OBJ-Stephon Gilmore matchup be?

Sunday, Nov. 3 at Baltimore, 8:20 p.m.
Whether it was Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs or even Joe Flacco, Ravens-Patriots used to be appointment television every year — one of the more underrated rivalries in the league. While this should still be a fun one, it feels like we’re hitting the reset button when it comes to this feud.
One question: How will Lamar Jackson do in his first crack against a Belichick defense?

Bye Week — Nov. 10
As close to an ideal bye week as you can get — roughly midway through the season.
One question: Is this the week Rob Gronkowski returns?