The NFL has revealed its preseason schedule for all 32 teams and while it may cheer up football fans, it includes a painful reminder for the Patriots with a Super Bowl rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles scheduled for Gillette Stadium.
The Eagles, who for the first time can call themselves defending Super Bowl champs after they beat the Pats 41-33 in SB 52 in February in Minnesota, will travel to New England in Week 2 (Aug. 16-20) of the preseason (specific dates and times will be released later this offseason).
The Patriots face the Redskins in Foxboro in Week 1 (Aug. 9-13), in Week 3 (Aug. 23-26), they travel to Carolina and they finish with their traditional Week 4 (Aug. 30-31) matchup with the New York Giants, this one on the road at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Last year, the NFL announced its regular season schedule on April 20, a week before the draft. The league is likely to follow the same plan this year, so, with the draft on April 26, look for the regular-season schedule release late next week.
