New England Patriots: Preseason Panic Mode 2021 Schedule Edition

Last year’s New England Patriots team wasn’t what anyone expected. With a shift in power can the Patriots get back on top this year?

From Athlonsports.com

Week 1 – Sun., Sept. 12 – vs Miami Dolphins (Gillette Stadium), 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 2 – Sun., Sept. 19 – at New York Jets (MetLife Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 3 – Sun., Sept. 26 – vs. New Orleans Saints (Gillette Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on FOX

Week 4 – Sun., Oct. 3 – vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Gillette Stadium), 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

Week 5 – Sun., Oct. 10 – at Houston Texans (NRG Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 6 -Sun. Oct, 17 – vs. Dallas Cowboys (Gillette Stadium), 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 7 – Sun. Oct, 24 – vs. New York Jets (Gillette Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 8 – Sun., Oct. 31 – at Los Angeles Chargers (SoFi Stadium), 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 9 – Sun., Nov. 7 – at Carolina Panthers (Bank of America Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 10 -Sun., Nov. 14 – vs. Cleveland Browns (Gillette Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 11 -Thurs., Nov. 18 – at Atlanta Falcons (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), 8:20 p.m. ET on FOX/NFL Network/Amazon Prime (Thursday Night Football

Week 12 -Sun., Nov. 28 – vs. Tennessee Titans (Gillette Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 13 – Mon., Dec. 6 – at Buffalo Bills (Highmark Stadium), 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN (Monday Night Football)

Week 14 – BYE

Week 15 – Sat. Dec. 18 or Sun., Dec. 19 – at Indianapolis Colts (Lucas Oil Stadium), TBD

Week 16 – Sun., Dec. 26 – vs. Buffalo Bills (Gillette Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 17 -Sun., Jan. 2 – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Gillette Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 18 -Sun., Jan. 9 – at Miami Dolphins (Hard Rock Stadium), 1 p.m. ET on CBS

More NFL: NY Jets – Panic Mode 2021 Schedule Edition

Tough Schedule

From top to bottom, the Patriots won’t have an easy go this year. There are a few games that on paper should be easy wins, but there’s plenty of teams that are rebuilding. Depending on the development, the Pats can either get back on track or fall further.

Plenty of Playoff Opponents

The Pats schedule is littered with playoff teams from last season or teams that were barely edged out. Now they’ll have to keep the pace with not only the rest of the AFC but the current playoff pace. They’ll more than likely need to win 10 games again.

Development

With the arrival of Mac Jones, the Patriots are turning towards the future, the question is how fast will they get there. If Cam Newton comes out flat, it’s only a matter of time before he’s thrust in there. If the camp rumors are true he’s got the talent, but he’ll need to make a connection with the rest of the young talent and help them develop just as quickly.

While there’s a bright future ahead, it might be another long season for the New England Patriots