It’s the dawn of a new age in New England.
For the first time this century, the Patriots won’t be led by the legendary Bill Belichick. The club elected to mutually part ways with one of the most successful coaches of all-time at the end of the 2023 season after a dismal 4-13 record.
Now, it’s former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo at the helm, looking to spark a new identity. It starts at quarterback, where the team took North Carolina’s Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, it may not be Maye’s time yet. New England brought in Jacoby Brissett to give the QB room a veteran leader and take the rookie under his wing. The pair expect to battle for the starting spot, with the club in no hurry to rush the 21-year-old Maye into action.
While the offense was putrid last season, the defense was a bright spot. New England made some changes to its personnel, but it’s running it back with a majority of the key figures on that side of the ball, including linebackers Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings, defensive linemen Christian Barmore and Matthew Judon, and safety Kyle Duggar.
The days of Super Bowl-or-bust expectations may be gone in New England for now, but the 2024 season could be the beginning of a new chapter of success in Foxborough.
Here is a complete breakdown of the Patriots’ 2024 schedule, including dates, start times, and analysis for their slate of games.
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New England Patriots schedule 2024
The Patriots’ full schedule will be announced Wednesday, May 15 as part of the NFL’s schedule release. Their opponents for the 2024 NFL season will be as follows:
- Home: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Texans, Colts, Rams, Seahawks, Chargers
- Away: Bills, Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals, Jaguars, 49ers, Titans, Bengals, Bears
In addition to their division schedule, the Pats will battle the AFC South and NFC West this season, and they’ll also have a game in Chicago against the Bears.
Patriots strength of schedule
The Pats come into 2024 tied for the league’s eighth-toughest schedule in the NFL. Their opponents bring in a 146-143 record from 2023, which translates to a .505 winning percentage.
In total for 2024, New England will play seven games against playoff teams from last season.
Patriots prediction 2024
Toughest tests: The AFC South is not the same division as recent history has dictated. Viewed as arguably the weakest division in the AFC over the past handful of years, the group has shaped into one of the youngest and hungriest divisions. The Texans took a major leap last year with C.J. Stroud at the helm, the Colts figure to do the same with a healthy Anthony Richardson, and the Jaguars are looking for a bounce-back year after letting the division slip away last year.
The Pats’ NFC opponents are no slouches either. The NFC West proves time and time again to be a deep division, with the defending NFC champion 49ers leading the way. Those two divisions could give New England trouble on the 2024 schedule.
Biggest breaks: The Patriots may still be regarded as the favorites to finish last in the AFC East; however, the division isn’t shaping up to be as large of a gauntlet as it was heading into last year. Sure, the Jets are getting a healthy Aaron Rodgers back, but no one knows how he will look after his Achilles tear. Even though you can never count out Josh Allen, the Bills lost a ton of key defensive players for cap reasons in addition to trading away Stefon Diggs. The Dolphins are going to be out to prove their contender status is legit.
While New England has its work cut out in 2024, the division is not as daunting as it could be. There’s a chance for the Pats to steal a game or two against division rivals.
Bottom line: It’s likely going to be another season of growing pains for the Pats. The defense should keep the team in games, just like last season, but the offense is a big question mark. How the team elects to handle its quarterback room could potentially sway the offense one way or another, but even if the offense is performing at its best, the talent just isn’t there.
The reality is that this is the first year without Belichick’s system in place. It’s going to be about growing, adapting, and finding a new path under Mayo and Co. The future may be bright in New England — just not the immediate one.
Record prediction: 4-13
