The Patriots' 2025 schedule has been labeled one of the easiest, if not the easiest, in NFL history, and many believe it largely contributed to their unprecedented success in Year 1 under Mike Vrabel and Year 2 with Drake Maye as the starting quarterback.
Although they face only the opponents in front of them every single year, as does every team in the NFL, they were harshly criticized for reaching the Super Bowl because many claimed their schedule gave them a free ride to the Championship.
They failed to mention they were coming off back-to-back seasons that ended with just four wins, so their schedule would inevitably be easier than a first-place team's. But that narrative followed them into 2026, and plenty of celebrations ensued when it became clear the league had handed them one of the hardest strength-of-schedule seasons in years.
In fact, their first four games was the hardest opening stretches any team had faced in 40 years.
Despite that, the Patriots went 2-2, taking down the Bills in Buffalo, who were undefeated at the time, and continuing their progression against the Raiders last week. They're about to face a few easier opponents who should add more wins to their season, but that shouldn't negate how they fared in the first month.
That should force their biggest detractors to applaud them for coming out better than expected.
The next few weeks of the Patriots schedule will finally be easier
After handing the Raiders a beatdown, who just went toe-to-toe with the Chiefs in Week 4, the Patriots have now faced opponents with a combined 9-2 record through the first five games. That's a massive difference from just last season, and the ongoing narrative that they only beat bad teams has been dismissed again.
That should quiet the loudest critics who still want to downplay the Patriots' accomplishments last year or further push that the team we saw in the first three weeks is exactly who Maye and the rest of the team are.
But now that they've taken down two AFC powerhouses, that shouldn't be a conversation anymore.
Going into Week 6, they're about to face a New York Jets team that's exceeding expectations, thanks to their impressive draft and the return of quarterback Geno Smith, who beat the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Week 1 last year.
Then they play the Bears in Chicago on Thursday Night Football, the Dolphins in Miami, and the Packers at home.
On paper, it looks like a stacked schedule, and while it won't be easy, it will be easier than what they've faced so far, and it couldn't be coming at a better time, especially with how this season's schedule ends for them.
Strength of schedule data via PFF. Lower number is tougher opponents. So for instance, the Raiders, Chiefs, and 49ers have had the easiest schedule so far, will have the toughest going forward (they all play each other). The Lions had easy so far, will stay that way. pic.twitter.com/uYARXVWqTB
— Shaun Newkirk (@Shauncore) October 6, 2026
They'll finally have a chance to build momentum after back-to-back wins, starting with the Jets on Sunday.
Another divisional win could help them keep the AFC East title away from the Bills, who face the Raiders in Week 6. They already have a win over the Jets, which gives them a leg up in a tiebreaker, so beating the Jets would make that even harder for Buffalo.
From what we've seen from Maye and the offense so far, especially over the past two weeks, they look more than capable of taking down what appears to be a talented defensive line in New York. Although they're dealing with more injuries, like Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson, they should have solid depth to make up for their loss, so it won't be too problematic moving forward.
The defense has fared well, too, even without their starting cornerbacks, their immediate backups, and other injured stars. So they should be able to replicate the kind of success they had against the Raiders this week against the Jets.
It's clear they're more motivated than ever and have regained the confidence that seemed lost after the first three games.
Building upon that is clear, and taking advantage of an easier stretch of the schedule will be key to having another successful year, while also shutting down the loudest (and wrong) narratives surrounding the current team.
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