The Patriots will kick off the 2024 season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Here’s a look at New England’s schedule, which features one prime-time game and another trip to Europe.
Week 1: at Cincinnati, Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. (CBS)
The AFC East and AFC North teams that finished last in their respective divisions play each other, which means the last-place Patriots get to face . . . the last-place Bengals. A season-ending injury to franchise quarterback Joe Burrow obviously hindered Cincinnati’s performance last year — and, as a result, toughened New England’s strength of schedule.
With Burrow set to return, the Patriots’ defense will be put to the test against a high-powered offense featuring Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Newly promoted Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher interviewed for the same opening with the Patriots this offseason.
Cincinnati’s roster includes a few former Patriots in tight end Mike Gesicki, guard Ted Karras, and left tackle Trent Brown.
Week 2: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 p.m. (Fox)
It’s a matchup of two first-year, defensive-minded head coaches: Jerod Mayo and Mike Macdonald. Mayo, 38, and Macdonald, 36, are also the two youngest active coaches in the NFL. Macdonald spent the past two seasons as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator.
Week 3: at New York Jets, Thursday, Sept. 19, 8:15 p.m. (Prime)
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played just four snaps last season before suffering a season-ending Achilles’ injury, so, if he’s healthy, this game would be New England’s first look at Rodgers in a Jets uniform. The Patriots and Jets have averaged a combined 19.3 points per game in their past three meetings.
Week 4: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 4:05 p.m. (Fox)
The Niners have the best odds to win the Super Bowl. Their roster is loaded on both sides of the ball, with quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, tight end George Kittle, defensive end Nick Bosa, and linebacker Fred Warner.
Week 5: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m. (Fox)
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has a perfect record (6-0) against the Patriots. Tagovailoa has a completion percentage of 68.3, with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
Week 6: vs. Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Led by quarterback C.J. Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans are considered a paragon for the rebuilding Patriots. Mayo preached patience with that comparison, noting the immense amount of groundwork that preceded Houston’s playoff berth last season. But the Texans certainly represent an impressive turnaround that can give Patriots fans hope.
Week 7: Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m. (NFL Network)
The Patriots will play their fifth international game, this time at Wembley Stadium. New England is 3-1 overseas, their only loss coming last year (10-6 against Indianapolis) at Deutsche Bank Park in Germany.
Week 8: vs. New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m. (CBS)
New York’s 17-3 win in Week 18 last season — Bill Belichick’s final game as Patriots coach — snapped the franchise’s 12-game losing streak in Foxborough. The last time the Jets won both of their regular-season games against the Patriots was in 2000.
Week 9: @ Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m. (Fox)
This matchup would have carried a bit more intrigue if Mike Vrabel were still Tennessee’s head coach, but instead, Mayo will take on first-year head coach Brian Callahan. Star wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley — two players the Patriots pursued during free agency — headline the Titans’ offense.
Week 10: @ Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 10, 1 p.m. (Fox)
The Bears made a number of offseason moves to bolster their supporting cast around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, trading for veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, drafting one of the top receiver prospects in Rome Odunze, and signing running back D’Andre Swift. If the Patriots deem rookie Drake Maye ready to start by at least Week 10, this could be a showdown between the first and third overall picks in this year’s draft.
Week 11: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m. (Fox)
More than two years removed from their Super Bowl LVI win, the Rams still boast offensive starpower with quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing to wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. These two nonconference opponents don’t play often, their three most recent games in December 2020, February 2019 (Super Bowl LIII), and December 2016.
Week 12: @ Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 24, 1 p.m. (CBS)
The Patriots haven’t won at Hard Rock Stadium since 2019, and have just won two games in their last 11 trips. Miami’s roster features a handful of former Patriots in tight end Jonnu Smith, punter Jake Bailey, offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn, and guard Chasen Hines.
Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m. (CBS)
This storied rivalry has lost some steam in recent years, as evidenced by the ugly display of football the last timethey met (November 2023 in Germany). Neither quarterback from that game returned to his respective team — Gardner Minshew signed with Las Vegas and the Patriots traded Mac Jones — so perhaps Anthony Richardson and Drake Maye can inject some excitement into this one.
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: @ Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 15, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
This game will give the Patriots their first chance at containing rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth overall pick in the draft and the best offensive weapon on the field in this game. The Patriots requested to play the Cardinals and 49ers back-to-back, but that scheduling did not pan out.
Week 16: @ Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 22, 1 p.m. (CBS)
The Bills traded Stefon Diggs, but quarterback Josh Allen always will be a challenge for New England. In his last eight regular-season starts against the Patriots, Allen has thrown 15 touchdowns and four interceptions with a 6-2 record. December weather in Buffalo could also be a factor.
Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, TBD
The Patriots checked in about possibly trading for quarterback Justin Herbert, so they view him highly. The Chargers’ offense will look a bit different under new coach Jim Harbaugh, with more focus on the running game, but Herbert’s arm remains one of the best in the league.
Week 18: vs. Buffalo Bills, TBD
Will this game have any postseason significance for either team? It’s more likely to matter to Buffalo. Regardless, the Patriots have been chasing the Bills in the division for four seasons, so how they stack up will always be worth watching.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.