2023 Patriots schedule released: 5 quick takeaways

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Patriots

The Patriots will open the season with a house matchup towards the NFC champion Eagles on Sept. 10.

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (right) listens to head coach Bill Belichick (left) on the sidelines. Joe Judge is at far left. The New England Patriots hosted the Baltimore Ravens in a regular season NFL football game at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots may have a troublesome begin to the 2023 season, with matchups towards the Eagles, Dolphins, Jets and Cowboys in Weeks 1-4. (Jim Davis/Globe Workers)

The Patriots launched their schedule for the upcoming 2023 season on Thursday, which can open at Gillette Stadium with a showdown towards the NFC champion Eagles and an anticipated return for a now-retired Tom Brady on Sunday, Sept. 10.

The Patriots may have a frightening begin to their new season, with their first 4 matchups set towards Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott.

New England’s street schedule might be headlined by a “house” sport towards the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10 over in Frankfurt, Germany.

New England will participate in 4 primetime matchups, together with three straight featured video games in December.

Right here is the Patriots’ schedule for the 2023 season:

  • Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10: Patriots vs. Eagles, 4:25 p.m.(CBS)
  • Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17: Patriots vs. Dolphins, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
  • Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24: Patriots @ Jets, 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
  • Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1: Patriots @ Cowboys, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
  • Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8: Patriots vs. Saints, 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
  • Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15: Patriots @ Raiders, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
  • Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22: Patriots vs. Payments, 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
  • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29: Patriots @ Dolphins, 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
  • Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 5: Patriots vs. Commanders, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
  • Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12: Patriots vs. Colts (Germany), 9:30 a.m. (NFL Community)
  • Week 11: BYE WEEK
  • Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26: Patriots @ Giants, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
  • Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3: Patriots vs. Chargers, 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
  • Week 14: Thursday, Dec. 7: Patriots @ Steelers, 8:15 p.m. (Amazon Prime)
  • Week 15: Monday, Dec. 18: Patriots vs. Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
  • Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24: Patriots @ Broncos, 8:15 p.m. (NFL Community)
  • Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31: Patriots @ Payments, 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
  • Week 18: TBD: Patriots vs. Jets, TBD

Listed below are just a few takeaways from New England’s newest slate of video games:

Patriots might be going through elite QBs all season lengthy

On Thursday afternoon, Patriots defensive deal with Devon Godchaux set excessive expectations for New England’s protection through the 2023 season. 

“It’s an excellent group,” Godchaux mentioned throughout his press convention at Gillette Stadium. “I imply, we completed, I believe, sixth in whole protection final yr. I believe we might’ve been so much higher. May’ve simply been… , at all times wish to purpose for prime 5, prime three. However we might’ve simply been up there. Made numerous key errors.”

A lift in defensive effectivity is likely to be a necessity for New England, given the aerial assault that opponents are set to unleash upon them in 2023. 

The record of New England’s opponents this season is a gauntlet of a number of the prime quarterbacks within the NFL.

This season, the Patriots might be examined towards Josh Allen (twice), Aaron Rodgers (twice), Tua Tagovailoa (twice), Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, and Patrick Mahomes. 

Sheesh.

New England’s secondary may have its work minimize out for it, particularly the Patriots’ first-round decide Christian Gonzalez. 

Nonetheless, gamers like Ja’Whaun Bentley appear to be embracing the chance to match up towards opponents like Rodgers frequently. 

“Aaron Rodgers is certainly a incredible quarterback for positive,” Bentley informed The Boston Globe’s Jim McBride. “He’s undoubtedly going so as to add some issues to the Jets so far as their offense is worried. Fingers down, it’s going to be a hell of a possibility for us to go towards him twice a yr. However in case you ask us, we’re excited in regards to the alternative. We’ve no selection however to be enthusiastic about it.”

Seeking to keep away from one other sluggish begin

The Patriots have labored out of the gate in every of the final two seasons, opening with 1-3 information in each 2021 and 2022.

However the street doesn’t get any simpler this yr — particularly with arguably essentially the most balanced crew within the league, the Eagles, coming to Foxborough for a Week 1 matchup.

As long as Tagovailoa is wholesome, the Dolphins have the capability to pile on factors in Week 2, whereas Rodgers will look to elevate New York to its first win over the Patriots since 2015 the next week. The street doesn’t loosen up with a Week 4 bout towards a Cowboys squad that went 12-5 final yr.

Tom Brady returns in Week 1 

No matter what performs out on the gridiron over 17 video games, the Patriots’ 2023 season will begin off on a memorable observe.

Throughout New England’s Week 1 opener at Foxborough, the crew will honor Tom Brady, who introduced his (second) retirement earlier this yr.

“I invited him again to come back right here and be with us on the opening sport and let the followers in New England thank him for the good service he gave us for over 20 years,” Robert Kraft mentioned throughout an look on NFL Community. “And it’ll be the start of many celebrations to honor Tom Brady and say thanks for what he did for us, these 20 years taking part in for the New England Patriots.”

This may mark Brady’s first look at Gillette Stadium since he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 19-17 win over New England on Oct. 3, 2021.

Different reunions on faucet

Brady’s return in Week 1 will probably overshadow the actual reunion Patriots followers might be clamoring for — with Matt Patricia returning to Gillette as a defensive assistant for the Eagles.

We child, after all.

However the 2023 season might be chock filled with video games the place the Patriots will battle towards some acquainted faces.

A Week 9 matchup towards the Washington Commanders might see the Patriots tackle former sign caller Jacoby Brissett.

New England will look to place their disastrous Week 15 end in Vegas within the rearview mirror once they return to the desert to tackle the Raiders in Week 6 at Allegiant Stadium.

Any sport that includes a training duel between Invoice Belichick and Josh McDaniels must be intriguing, whereas new Vegas QB Jimmy Garoppolo will look to do injury towards his former crew.

Heading abroad

The Patriots will make their longest trek of the season in Week 10 once they head to Frankfurt, Germany, for a contest towards the Colts. Patriots followers watching from house might want to seize their Dunkin’ early, as kick-off is about for 9:30 a.m. on NFL Community.

The Patriots are 3-0 in Worldwide Sequence video games, outscoring opponents 113-22. Their earlier abroad bouts concerned two video games in London and one in Mexico Metropolis.