What happened: New England opens the 2026 regular season on the road Sept. 9. The matchup comes seven months after Super Bowl LX.
Why it matters: It is the NFL's first season opener in a decade to rematch the previous Super Bowl. New England has an immediate chance to respond to February's title-game defeat.
By the numbers: The Patriots lost Super Bowl LX 29-13 in February.
What to watch: Final injury designations and the inactive list will clarify New England's available roster Wednesday.