We'll have to wait a while longer before the NFL releases the full regular-season schedule but for now we'll have to settle for the preseason opponents. Dates and times for most games are still to be determined, but the Patriots will open their exhibition schedule with a trip to Philadelphia to take on new coach Chip Kelly's Eagles on the weekend of Aug. 8-11.
Week 2 will feature the Patriots lone appearance on national television as New England will host Tampa Bay Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. on Fox. From there the team will head back on the road to Detroit during the weekend of Aug. 22-25 before closing out the preseason with the annual finale against the Giants (likely Aug. 29) at Gillette Stadium.
The familiar foes would seemingly offer Bill Belichick three opportunities to continue his recent preference for joint practices as he has ties to Kelly, the Bucs Greg Schiano and the Lions Jim Schwartz. The fact that the Patriots will take on Tampa Bay during the regular season could perhaps dissuade Belichick from doing so with the Bucs, but certainly the relationship between he and Schiano allowed it to happen before last year's game in Tampa so the possibility can't be ignored.
Final dates and times of the three remaining games will be published as soon as they are available.
