Yes, we know the 2015 season hasn’t even started yet. But this is the NFL, and it’s never too early to look ahead.
As the New England Patriots prepare to defend their fourth Super Bowl title, we already know a majority of their opponents in 2016, thanks to the league’s rotating schedule.
The main theme? Things won’t be any easier for New England, as it will face off against every team in the hard-nosed AFC North and vaunted NFC West. That also means plenty of long trips for the Patriots, who will have away games against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers in addition to playing the AFC West team that finishes in the same spot as New England in the division standings in 2015.
But those games will pale in comparison to one contest that should be circled on everyone’s calendars: a Super Bowl XLIX rematch against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium.
We won’t know the dates of any of these games until next spring, but see below for a list of New England’s 2016 opponents.
Home: Jets, Bills, Dolphins, Rams, Seahawks, Bengals, Ravens, AFC South team that finishes in same spot as Patriots.
Road: Jets, Bills, Dolphins, Cardinals, Niners, Browns, Steelers, AFC West team that finishes in same spot as Patriots.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
