The New England Patriots have several games on the 2025 NFL schedule that should be circled in red.

It’s a pivotal season for the team with Mike Vrabel set to embark on his first year as the Patriots’ head coach. They have finished their last two consecutive seasons with a 4-13 record, and the team has made every effort in the offseason to rectify the situation.

They’ve brought in a more experienced coaching staff, along with upgrading the roster through free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. That coincides with them being gifted arguably the easiest schedule in the league. There are plenty of reasons for fans to be optimistic about the Patriots heading into the season.

Here are the five most intriguing games on their 2025 schedule:

Week 5, Oct. 5: at Bills (8:20 p.m. ET) – Sunday Night Football on NBC and Peacock

This is the first time that New England will face reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills under Mike Vrabel. It will also be the Patriots’ first primetime game of the season in a Sunday Night Football matchup. The ultimate measuring stick for New England in the AFC East is the Bills.

They’ll have their work cut out for them going on the road in a tough environment against one of the best teams in football. How will the new-look Patriots defense fare against Allen and the explosive Bills offense?

Week 7, Oct. 19: at Titans (1:00 p.m. ET) – CBS

The return of Mike Vrabel to Music City in Nashville immediately jumped out on the Patriots’ 2025 schedule. Vrabel got the Titans back to the AFC Championship Game in 2019, and he won Coach of the Year in 2021. That didn’t stop the Titans from firing him in 2024.

He might not voice it publicly, but he’s probably looking forward to the opportunity to come back to Tennessee and beat his former team. The Patriots’ defense will also get its first crack at Titans quarterback Cam Ward, the rookie No. 1 overall draft pick.

Week 12, Nov. 23: at Bengals (1:00 p.m. ET) – CBS

It was quite an upset win for the Patriots when they took on the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener last year. Will lightning strike twice?

Cincinnati has historically had slow starts to begin the year, and now the Patriots will face them in the middle of the season. This should be a good test for the team, and it could have a huge impact on the playoff race, depending on where each team sits.

The Patriots’ defense will face the monumental task of slowing down a high-powered Bengals offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow, who played at an MVP level last season.

Week 13, Dec. 1: vs. Giants (8:15 p.m. ET) – ESPN

The Giants have a revamped quarterback room led by Russell Wilson, while star rookie edge defender Abdul Carter provides hope for the defense. This will be a primetime Monday Night Football game featuring two teams with a rich history together.

An upstate rivalry has dwelled here ever since the Giants ruined the Patriots’ perfect 2007 season. The players from that era might be gone, but tradition and pride should make this one of the more intriguing games on the Patriots’ 2025 schedule.

Week 11, Nov. 13: vs. Jets (8:15 p.m. ET) – Amazon Prime Video

The Jets and Patriots were the two worst teams in the AFC East division last season. Things have obviously changed with Mike Vrabel taking over the Patriots and drastically improving the roster. Meanwhile, the Jets have a new head coach in Aaron Glenn and no more Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

It will likely be Justin Fields under center at quarterback when the Jets travel to Foxborough for this Thursday Night Football showdown in November. There are major question marks for both teams heading into the season, but we might finally get some answers when they collide in the primetime spotlight.

This could be the best opportunity for the Patriots to stand out and show their improvements against a Jets team most expect to struggle.

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