Mark your calendars, Patriots fans. We now know exactly when New England will revive its celebrated throwback uniforms.
The red "Pat Patriot" throwbacks will make their long-awaited return to the field Sunday, Oct. 9, when the team hosts the Detroit Lions in a Week 5 matchup at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots also will wear them Thursday, Dec. 1, when they host the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills in Week 13.
New England last sported the Steve Grogan-era reds in 2012, before the NFL implemented a rule limiting each team to one helmet color. The league scrapped that rule this past offseason, and the Patriots immediately revived the much-adored unis, announcing their official return with a "Back to the Future"-themed hype video in late June.
A total of 13 NFL teams are taking advantage of that rule change this season, with the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons also reintroducing throwback helmets and the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Washington Commanders debuting new designs.
