Patriots links 5/18/26: Schedule analysis, game predictions
TEAM TALK Forged In Foxborough: Season 2, Episode 1. Building on the identity . (52 min. video) Behind-the-Scenes: Patriots 2026 schedule video shoot . (4 min. video) /Pretty funny . Photos: Patriots 2026 schedule release at Six Flags New England. LOCAL LINKS Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: ‘Miss Nancy’ celebrated, Season-opener vs. Seattle , WR chatter, Alijah Vera-Tucker has made an impression on 2nd-year center Jared Wilson , who said, “He’s an athletic freak. His feet are crazy.” Preseason plan, quotes, RB Myles Montgomery’s deal; More! Steve Balestrieri ’s Sunday Patriots News: 2026 schedule analysis, unpacking key matchups, player updates & latest team news. Doug Kyed ’s NFL Notes: One thought on every player on the Patriots 90-man roster. Jake Seymour finds Jared Wilson excited to become the Patriots’ starting center in 2026. Karen Guregian talks about how after feasting on bad QBs last season, the Pats face a tougher challenge in 2026. Ethan Hurwitz thumbnails a number of storylines that surround the Patriots preseason schedule . Michael DeVito explains how the Patriots schedule creates massive pressure for Drake Maye early. Jordy McElroy shares 7 initial takeaways from the Pats’ 2026 NFL schedule release. Ethan Hurwitz ranks every game on the Patriots schedule from easiest to hardest. Sara Marshall thinks the NFL missed an opportunity by not scheduling Patriots-Bills for primetime. Sara Marshall sees the Patriots with a lot of weight on their shoulders to change their reputation overseas . Ethan Hurwitz highlights a Patriots scout breaking down Caleb Lomu’s strengths . Ethan Hurwitz reports the Patriots signed undrafted rookies RB Myles Montgomery and CB Channing Canada to record-setting contracts. Lauren Campbell rounds up what the experts are predicting for the Patriots in 2026. Ethan Hurwitz notes Patriots players aren’t worrying about the 2026 schedule — should they? Lauren Campbell passes along the rumor that the Patriots are the only team interested in WR AJ Brown . Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick give their Patriots schedule takeaways . (26 min.) Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles, Mike Kadlick, Brian Hines, and Alex Barth get together for a crossover episode to break down the Patriots schedule and give us their win predictions for each game . (73 min.) All 32 NFL Podcast: Mike Giardi’s way-too-early Patriots record prediction . (32 min.) NATIONAL NEWS Albert Breer (SI) NFL Takeaways: Aaron Rodgers ’s return comes with a revitalized passion for the game itself; Plus thoughts on the NFL’s international docket, the Browns’ QB situation and more. John Breech (CBS Sports) One good thing and one bad thing every team will face in 2026 season. One good thing: The Patriots have a four-week stretch starting in Week 5 where they’ll face the Raiders, Jets and Dolphins and that’s about the only thing that’s good about New England’s schedule . /Eesh … Russell Baxter (SI-Seahawks) History says Seahawks will handle business vs. Patriots in season opener. Conor Orr (SI) Best 11 games of the 2026 NFL season. Week 10: Lions vs. Patriots (Munich) included. Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) 5 NFL teams didn’t get prime-time treatment . The league told the Jets , Raiders , Titans, Dolphins and Cardinals what it thinks of rebuilds. Zachary Pereles (CBS Sports) 2026 NFL schedule reality or overreaction: 49ers doomed by tough matchups, travel? Lions primed to rebound? Matt Verderame (SI) Predicting every AFC team’s record based on the 2026 schedule. Patriots 9-8. / Click for commentary . Mike Kadlick (SI) NFL strength of schedule rankings for 2026, done the right way. Patriots 22nd. Jori Epstein (Yahoo! Sports) 2026 NFL schedule winners and losers . Losers: Patriots fans hoping to avoid a Super Bowl hangover. /Click for commentary . Seth Walder and Ben Solak (ESPN) 2026 NFL free agency grades: Steelers re-sign QB Aaron Rodgers. Terms: One year, up to $25 milli [... truncated ...]