With Mike Vrabel at the helm, the Patriots are entering a new era in 2025.
New England went just 4-13 last season, struggling under Jerod Mayo as the team began to focus on its rookie quarterback, Drake Maye. Now, Maye is expected a longer leash in 2025, taking on the full-time starting job leading the Patriots' offense. With the addition of Vrabel, plus some interesting rookies and free-agent acquisitions, New England is hoping it can take a significant year-to-year leap toward a return to the playoffs.
Offensively, the Patriots added a veteran wide receiver for Maye in Stefon Diggs. They also acquired a younger receiver in the draft, selecting Kyle Williams. Defensively, a Vrabel-led team is always expected to excel, and the additions of Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, Carlton Davis III, and more should help New England improve.
Heading into 2025, the new-look Patriots will be seeking to take advantage of their veteran talent with a favorable schedule. New England has made the playoffs just once since Tom Brady departed in 2020. Can the team return to the postseason behind Vrabel in 2025?
Here is a complete breakdown of the Patriots' 2025 schedule, including dates, start times, and analysis for all 17 games.
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New England Patriots schedule 2025
- Home opponents: Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Falcons, Panthers, Browns, Giants, Raiders, Steelers
- Away opponents: Dolphins, Bills, Jets, Ravens, Bengals, Saints, Buccaneers, Titans
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| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time (ET) | TV Channel |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 7 | vs. Raiders | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 14 | at Dolphins | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 21 | vs. Steelers | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 4 | Sunday, Sept. 28 | vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 5 | at Bills (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 12 | at Saints | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 19 | at Titans | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 26 | vs. Browns | 1 p.m. | FOX |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 2 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 9 | at Buccaneers | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 11 | Thursday, Nov. 13 | vs. Jets (TNF) | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 23 | at Bengals | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 13 | Monday, Dec. 1 | vs. Giants (MNF) | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 7 | BYE | — | — |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 14 | vs. Bills | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 21 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 17 | Sunday, Dec. 28 | at Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Dolphins | TBD | TBD |
Patriots strength of schedule
Since their 4-13 season in 2024 came to a close, the Patriots have known their opponents for the 2025 season due to the consistent process the NFL uses for schedules that involves cycling through divisions. New England's strength of schedule for 2025 is purely based on the results of the 2024 season — meaning that while it is a strong indication of how hard a team's schedule will be, it won't be perfect. Some teams will improve or get worse from last year.
The Patriots have the third-easiest strength of schedule for 2025. Their opponents had a combined .429 winning percentage last season, making their matchups projected to be easier in 2025.
Toughest tests: As long as the Bills have Josh Allen, the Patriots' divisional matchups against Buffalo will be difficult. The Bills are once again expected to pace the AFC East in 2025, and the home-and-away matchups for New England vs. Buffalo will be two of its toughest challenges.
There are a few other 2024 playoff contenders that the Patriots will likely find challenges against, including a home matchup against the Steelers and away matchups vs. the Ravens, Bengals, and Buccaneers.
Biggest breaks: Given their opponents' .429 winning percentage in 2024, there are plenty of potentially easier matchups for the Patriots in 2025. None of the Panthers, Browns, Giants, Raiders, Jets, Saints, or Titans won more than five games last year. That gives the Patriots eight games against teams that struggled in 2024.
Of course, all of those teams made offseason changes they hope will lead to wins, from the Raiders adding Geno Smith and Ashton Jeanty, to the Jets signing Justin Fields. But if the Patriots can prove that their veteran additions, mixed with steps forward from Maye and other young talent, can make them a contender, they could have opportunities to claim easier wins against rebuilding squads.
Patriots record prediction
- Over/under win total: 7.5, per BetMGM
Bottom line: Under Vrabel, the Patriots should improve in 2025. The question will be just how much they can improve. Maye has the talent to be a franchise quarterback, and he now has some stronger weapons to work with. The defense also added some difference-makers, and Vrabel-led units are almost always difficult to score against. If the acquisitions work out exactly as planned and Maye takes steps toward becoming the star he has the capability to be, the Patriots could gun for nine or 10 wins.
However, even with a pretty favorable schedule, it's hard to trust New England to win five or six more games than it did in 2024 with a sophomore quarterback who threw 10 interceptions in 13 games last season. Maye has flashed stardom, but 2025 may be more about slow improvement and finding a new identity under Vrabel than actually making a run for the playoffs.
Expectations will be higher with more talent in New England, but those expectations shouldn't be set too high, either. Wins against some rebuilding teams will help inflate the Patriots' record, but this likely isn't a team that's ready for postseason contention.
Record prediction: 7-10
MORE NFL SCHEDULE RELEASE:
- Strength of schedule for all 32 NFL teams
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- Giants, Bears among teams with toughest schedule