A tradition like no other. The Patriots' schedule gets released and the planning begins. What dates work, what games are the best, what cities are the most fun, and who can make the trip?
I’ve been a lifelong Patriots fan, as I got older, I started attending away games. It started as a fun thing to do with some buddies before we all were married and had kids. But it became an annual tradition: book a trip to a new city, gear up and head into an opposing team’s stadium, and watch the Patriots rip their hearts out. Rinse and repeat. It’s been one of my favorite things to do as a fan. And I’ve been lucky, the Patriots have had a record of 16-3 in the games I’ve attended:
New York Jets
Pittsburgh
Tennessee (2)
Indianapolis
Houston (Super Bowl LI)
Kansas City (AFC Championship Game)
San Diego
New York Giants
Washington
Green Bay
Chicago (2)
Detroit
New Orleans
Atlanta (2)
Carolina
San Francisco
As I’ve gotten older, the trips have changed. Now it’s not 20+ guys or four-day weekends. But the build-up to a big football game in-person is still a great feeling and when you’re on the road wearing a Patriots jersey the stakes feel even higher.
When considering which game to select there are five important factors.
- Timing: It could be the best city or game on the schedule but if you must give a best man speech or a baby is due that weekend then you’re not getting on a flight. Also, early-season games are not as desirable. The NFL is not yet in full swing, and the Patriots are still finding their “sea legs” in September.
- Stadium location: The closer the stadium is to downtown the easier it’s going to be on gameday. Easier to tailgate, easier to go out after, easier to fly out, etc. If you’re not downtown (Washington, San Diego, SF, etc.) you really need to plan for a party bus or some other safe transportation. You’re not getting on a plane for a Pats game with friends and then volunteering to be the designated driver. However, that friend is highly valuable throughout a weekend that requires extra drinking and extra planning. So, keep them close.
- Entertainment: With kickoff not until Sunday, what else can you do in the city? Some guys like to make it a golf trip, some guys like to go to a big-time college game on Saturday, some guys want to find a casino, and others want to check the bar scene. No wrong answers, but the only thing that is required is a group kickoff dinner on Friday night. Get the reservations early.
- Destination location: Direct flights are highly encouraged. I am not 25 anymore, so flying home after living in a beer commercial for a few days is painful. The later in the year, the better the chance for a delay. A trip to the West Coast or to a smaller city requires more travel time. Not to mention if there’s an emergency you want to be able to get home easily. Keep in mind, the more you consider the family before and after, the more fun you have during.
- The Actual Game: I would argue this is the most important factor. If you’re spending all the money to enter the belly of the beast … pick the grizzly. A 1 p.m. kickoff (or even noon local time) is fine but there’s no build-up. Sunday Night Football in someone else’s house; that will get the juices flowing. The best part of the Patriots' dynasty run was that they had big games against big opponents. Now that they aren’t the AFC favorite, I’d pick a game that is challenging but winnable. Nothing sucks more than when you’re getting taunted on the way out.
Patriots.com
Here’s a breakdown of the best games from a veteran Patriots fan:
Las Vegas Raiders on December 18th at 8:20 p.m.
Pros: This is most appealing game on the schedule. New stadium, right downtown at the end of the strip, playing a traditional franchise, the Josh McDaniels/Bill Belichick storyline, the Raiders are coming off a playoff season and so this will be a key game for both teams. Not to mention it’s a late-season, Sunday Night Football match-up. ... Vegas, in essence, is entertainment. It has everything. You want to make it a relaxing trip with a significant other (the pool, dinner, a show, etc.) you can do that? You want to make it a bachelor party, well no better place for that? Flights and hotels tend to be manageable because it’s such common destination. In short, the Raiders game checks all the boxes.
Cons: I went to a Monday Night Football game at the Black Hole in Oakland (not for a Patriots game), and it was wild. Now MNF is always more intense, but the Oakland Coliseum is the only stadium I wouldn’t wear a jersey (and I’ve done it everywhere else). I imagine the new Allegiant Stadium, and Vegas in general, is a different vibe but keep your head on a swivel. ... The week before Christmas can be tough with work and family commitments. I mean who’s going to move the elf on the shelf?! But the beauty of SNF is that you could fly in the morning of the game and be home by brunch on Monday. Where there is a will, there is a way. ... If part of your plan was to sit in the sportsbook and gamble on watching college football on Saturday. Well, this was probably the worst week of the year. Bowl season is just getting started and there will be a few uninspiring games. The NFL should flex a few games to that Saturday. ... Lastly, and something to be aware, every Pats fan is going to want to be at this one. Even the casual ones. So, they’ll invade Allegiant Stadium, and the crowd will be 40-50% Pats fans, but it will be a very expensive ticket (especially if your group wants to sit together, which they do).
Green Bay Packers on October 2nd at 4:25 p.m.
Pros: If you haven’t been to Green Bay and you’re a football fan, Lambeau Field is a bucket list venue. The Packers fans are very welcoming but also passionate. You get to see a Hall of Fame QB in Aaron Rodgers and one of the better teams in football. It will be ideal weather that time of year. ... Pro-tip if you have a big group, rent a house in Green Bay. Watch college football on Saturday (or head to Madison for the Badgers-Illinois game), tailgate in the yard and then make the walk to Lambeau on Sunday. While there isn’t much of a nightlife scene, there is a casino in the next town over. The other option is to make the four-hour drive from Chicago.
Bedard tip: Brewers also home that weekend. A Badgers/Brewers Saturday doubleheader would be awesome. You could also take it crazytown: Cubs game on Friday night. They are also home that weekend. ... Eat at Angelina downtown. Trust me, it can hang with the North End. And there are some great breweries in town.
Cons: Green Bay isn’t the easiest place to get too. This isn’t a game the Patriots are likely to win and with this being a popular destination for fans the secondary market will be on the higher side.
Arizona Cardinals on December 12th at 8:15 p.m.
Pros: Monday Night Football guarantees a big game-type atmosphere. It’s a key game for both teams. Scottsdale is a great town and there are awesome places to play golf.
Cons: Monday Night Football also makes everything harder logistically. An extra day or two off from work makes it difficult. Also, Phoenix is a long flight that often isn’t direct. This would be a better option if it was on the weekend.
Miami Dolphins on September 11th at 1:00 p.m.
Pros: Really critical divisional game for the Patriots. If you go to this one, make sure you’re in one of the shaded overhang sections. Miami or Fort Lauderdale, depending on your style, are two fun cities that offer a lot of options. It’s a direct flight to either city. A good lodging option, 15 minutes from the stadium, is the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Lastly, for you true football fans you could double up on Saturday by seeing the Miami Hurricanes host Southern Miss.
Cons: One of the cons (and pros) of a Miami trip is that the game is always an option. Because they play the Dolphins every year you can always wait for the right timing, match-up, etc. ... Hard Rock Stadium (or whatever they are calling it these days) is a house of horrors for the Patriots. The time of the year could not have been worse for this road trip. Week 1 is super exciting when you’re on the couch watching Red Zone and monitoring that fantasy lineup. But in an opposing NFL stadium it doesn’t have the same build-up. Will Smith wasn't lying: Miami brings the heat and mid-September is no exception. It will be sizzling, and you’ll be applying sunscreen at the cadence of your snooze alarm.
Buffalo Bills on January 8th at TBD
Pros: Right now, the Pats are chasing the Bills and so this is a game that must be circled. Just like last year, it came down to the final match-up and this could be for the division and/or playoff seeding. The Bills Mafia does it right and the tailgate would be a lot of fun. Finally, you can take a direct flight or make the long drive but it’s manageable to make a quick trip out of it, which is required since there isn’t much else to do in Buffalo (unless the Bruins happen to be in town that weekend).
Cons: Risky. With all the injuries in the NFL, picking a game at the end of the year means you don’t know what you’re going to get. It could be a pseudo playoff game, or it could be a meaningless game for one or both teams. Secondly, cold. Buffalo in mid-January and I need to travel to get there? Only way that’s worth the trip is for the playoffs or a guaranteed big game.
Cleveland Browns on October 16th at 1 p.m.
Pros: Mid-October to mid-November is the ideal timing for an away trip. Weather isn’t much of a factor, the season is in full swing, etc. The Browns have a stadium that is downtown. There are tailgate options in the parking lot and the bars. Both are manageable and relatively convenient. Same goes for the availability and price on tickets. Toss-up game for the Patriots.
Cons: While Cleveland can unfairly get a bad rep, it’s also not going to land on the next issue of Travel + Leisure’s “Top Destinations." Lastly, I always look to double up on big-time college games but unfortunately, Ohio State (2 hours away) isn’t playing a football game that weekend.
New York Jets on October 30th at 1 p.m.
Pros: Division games always matter and there’s nothing better than beating up on the Jets. New York is easy to get to, it could be a day trip, or a weekend in the city. There are usually lots of available tickets. New York is an easy, great weekend getaway. Tons to do before and after the game that will appeal to everyone.
Cons: Depending on their team the Jets fans are either passive or do quite a bit of talking. When they are good or it’s a night game, it’s not the best place to take a significant other. You don’t want to feel the need to defend her (or she may defend herself) when some drunk idiot starts chirping. But with a 1 p.m. start, Fireman Ed will be whipping his helmet at some empty seats. ... Getting out to the Meadowlands is a pain. You need at a hotel that’s within walking distance, pre-buy a parking pass if you’re driving (veteran tip), or the most efficient way to commute is take the train and stay in the city.
Pittsburgh Steelers on September 18th at 1 p.m.
Pros: Checks a couple of boxes. The stadium is right downtown on the river (many Steelers fans take ferries to the game). Pittsburgh is an emerging city. It’s a quick flight and a winnable game.
Cons: The Steelers may not be as good this year given their QB situation. Many teams are surprised by how many Pats fans show up for a game and grab tickets in their stadium (usually 20-40% in my experience). The Steelers do a good job holding their own tickets and so that number will be closer to 10%. Lastly, it’s another early-season game.
Minnesota Vikings on November 24th at 8:15 p.m.
Pros: Nice, new stadium that is downtown and another swing game for the Patriots. Logistically easy in, easy out.
Cons: It’s on Thanksgiving night. Unless your family loves lake life or your in-laws live close by then focus on eating a lot, finding some REM while napping, and getting comfortable on your couch.