Matt Legros, Patriots Wire
Which opponent would give the New England Patriots the best chance to start the 2026 season on a high note?
According to CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo, a home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers would be the most favorable scenario for the Patriots when the schedule is released.
“After an offseason filled with unwanted attention, the Patriots would certainly benefit from a strong season-opening victory,” DeArdo said. “The Steelers were chosen because of New England’s strong track record against them in Week 1. Since 2002, the Patriots are 3-0 at home against Pittsburgh in season openers.”
The Steelers handed the Patriots one of their three losses in the 2025 season during Week 3. The Patriots’ most recent win over Pittsburgh came in Week 14 of the 2023 NFL season.
The long-standing rivalry between the Patriots and Steelers could push New England’s squad to perform at their best right from the start, setting the tone for the rest of the year.
If not Pittsburgh, another possibility is that the Patriots could kick off the season against the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch of Super Bowl LX. The full 2026 NFL schedule is set to be released on Thursday, May 14, with leaks expected beforehand.