Patriots Schedule Announcement: Assorted Thoughts On 2018 Slate Of Games

The NFL officially announced its 2018 schedule at 8 p.m. ET, but the New England Patriots’ slate of games was leaked hours early.

Here’s the 2018 schedule:

Week 1 vs. Houston Texans, Sunday Sept. 9, 1 p.m.
Week 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday Sept. 16, 4:25 p.m.
Week 3 at Detroit Lions, Sunday Sept. 23, 8:20 p.m.
Week 4 vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday Sept. 30, 1 p.m.
Week 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts, Thursday Oct. 4, 8:20 p.m.
Week 6 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday Oct. 14, 8:20 p.m.
Week 7 at Chicago Bears, Sunday Oct. 21, 1 p.m.
Week 8 at Buffalo Bills, Monday Oct. 29, 8:15 p.m.
Week 9 vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday Nov. 4, 8:20 p.m.
Week 10 at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m.
Week 11 bye
Week 12 at New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 25, 1 p.m.
Week 13 vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Dec. 2, 4:25 p.m.
Week 14 at Miami Dolphins, Sunday Dec. 9, 1 p.m.
Week 15 at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday Dec. 16, 4:25 p.m.
Week 16 vs. Buffalo Bills, Sunday Dec. 23, 1 p.m.
Week 17 vs. New York Jets, Sunday Dec. 30, 1 p.m.

— The Patriots’ 2018 schedule doesn’t start out easy. The Texans went 4-12 last season but should be much more dangerous with quarterback DeShaun Watson, who tore his ACL in 2017, back at the helm. The Jaguars won the AFC South at 10-6 and lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game last year. The Lions also finished with a winning record at 9-7 and now have former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia at head coach.

— The Patriots avoided a Thanksgiving game despite a schedule with the Lions on the road. Phew.

— The Patriots don’t have to travel to Miami in the fall heat, but they will have to play in Jacksonville in September. Conditioning will be key that week. Florida is hot, if you haven’t heard.

— Week 5 will serve as a revenge game for the Colts, who were eschewed by Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels this offseason in their hunt for a head coach. They wound up with former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, but Indy’s general manager, Chris Ballard, and owner, Jim Irsay, might still be a little bitter.

— The back end of the Patriots’ schedule is heavy on the AFC East, but at least it’s not as oddly staggered as last season. The Patriots played five of their last six games against AFC East foes last season. In 2018, it will be four of six.

— It feels like there are many teams with high upside on the Patriots’ schedule. The Texans, Jaguars, Titans — under new head coach Mike Vrabel — Colts, Chiefs, Packers, Vikings and Steelers all could be playoff contenders this season.

— Yes, I said Colts, if only because Andrew Luck will (probably) be back at quarterback.

— The Patriots travel to Pittsburgh in Week 15 for the second straight season. Interesting. In fact, the last four weeks of the 2018 schedule are identical to 2017’s.

— A slew of young quarterbacks will face off against the Patriots’ defense, led by head coach Bill Belichick and linebackers coach Brian Flores. Watson, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky all are second-year players. The Jets and Bills could have rookies at the helm.

— All five of the Patriots’ primetime games come before their Week 11 bye. Fans, players and media will lose sleep in the seven-week stretch from Sept. 23 to Nov. 4, when the Patriots have all five night games.

— Week 9 is a game to circle if you’re looking to get tickets on the secondary market. Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady is always a treat.

— I would expect Chicago and Nashville to be popular destinations for Patriots fans looking to travel.

— Looking at the schedule, I’ll say the Patriots will finish 12-4. But that’s mostly because the Patriots always seem to finish 12-4.