After the playoff beat down put on them by the Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots’ road to redemption will begin with the defending Super Bowl champions — at least, in the preseason.
New Orleans will travel up to Foxboro on Aug. 12 for what likely will be the first look of the 2010 season at Tom Brady, Vince Wilfork and whatever new toys coach Bill Belichick picks up in the NFL draft. One week later, the Pats will be featured on prime-time network television as they take to the field in Atlanta against the Falcons.
Following a quick trip back up to New England to face the Rams — and potentially No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford — the Patriots will get their first look at their fiercest rival’s new digs. New England will journey down to New Jersey for its first game at the new Meadowlands Stadium. The Pats will have to wait till the regular season to take on the Jets, though. Instead they will face their AFC East foes’ co-tenants, the Giants.
The date for that game has yet to be finalized, but it will take place during the first week of September.
Here is the full Patriots preseason schedule:
Aug. 12 vs. New Orleans
Aug. 19 at Atlanta
Aug. 26 vs. St. Louis
Sept. 2-5 at New York Giants
