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 seasons with 4-13 records, and the team has made every effort in the offseason to rectify the situation.
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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:
Quarterback Drake Maye will have an early test when the Patriots visit NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Week 5.
This is the first time that New England will face reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills under Vrabel. It will also be the Patriots’ first prime-time game of the season in a Sunday night matchup (8:20 p.m. on NBC and Peacock). The ultimate measuring stick for New England in the AFC East is the Bills.
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The Pats will 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:Â at Tennessee Titans
The return of Vrabel to Music City in Nashville (1 p.m. CBS) 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 No. 1 overall draft pick.
May 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks the to media during a press conference at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
It was quite an upset for the Patriots when they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the season opener last year. Will lightning strike twice?
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Cincinnati has historically had slow starts to begin the year, and now the Patriots will face them in the middle of the season (1 p.m., CBS). 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:Â vs. New York Giants
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 game (8:15 p.m., ESPN) featuring two teams with rich histories.
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An intense rivalry has developed 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. New York Jets
The Jets and Patriots were the two worst teams in the AFC East division last season. Things appear to heave changed with 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 at quarterback when the Jets travel to Foxboro for this Thursday night game (8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video) 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.
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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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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Patriots 2025 schedule: 5 most intriguing games to watch