A lot was made about the New England Patriots' schedule last season, and for good reason. They had a .429 strength of schedule entering the 2025 season, and rightfully so. The Patriots were coming off of back-to-back dreadful years with only eight combined wins. They were playing a last place schedule, filled with some of the other bottom dwellars across the league. The Patriots pounced on that , speeding past a rocky 1-2 start to ultimately finish the season with a 14-3 record and a trip to the Super Bowl. Now the expectations -- and the naysayers -- will be out in full force for 2026 , the third season for quarterback Drake Maye and second for head coach Mike Vrabel. The Patriots come into the year with a first place schedule, set to face off nine times against playoff teams from a season ago. On paper, the schedule is a lot trickier. They won't get to play against the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans.…