The 2022 schedule: Patriots' defense will be tested early and often

The Patriots will look to build upon a 2021 campaign that saw them find their quarterback of the future and get back to the playoffs. In order to take the next step, the Pats need to improve upon their 10-7 record and early playoff exit.

In order to accomplish both, the team’s defense will certainly have to improve. That’s one big takeaway from their 2022 NFL schedule. The league released schedules for every team on Thursday and it’s clear the Patriots will face some high-powered offenses this season. After quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills ran over the Patriots in the wild-card round, the team’s defense was a big concern entering this offseason.

This year’s team will be tested early and often with some marquee matchups spread throughout the fall.

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For the first time in eight years, the Patriots will start their season with back-to-back road games on the road when they travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins in Week 1 (Sept. 11) and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 (Sept. 18). The team welcomes in the Baltimore Ravens for its home opener on Sept. 25.

The Pats will play on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in 10 years when they take on the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 24. This is their first Turkey Day game since 2012, which will be remembered as the infamous butt-fumble game against the New York Jets.

In total, the Pats have two Thursday night and two Monday night games scheduled for this season. They also will play four prime-time games in a row.

There are two big questions that stem from the Patriots' 2022 schedule: Can quarterback Mac Jones and the Patriots' offense keep up? Will the defense clamp down?

Here are the top-five matchups that will answer those questions:

Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow and the Bengals took a major step forward last year making it to the Super Bowl. Burrow looks like one of the best up and coming quarterbacks in the NFL. He’s throwing to one of the best young receivers in the NFL in Ja’Marr Chase. On top of that, the Patriots have to contend with receivers Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and running back Joe Mixon. This Week 16 matchup will be a great litmus test for Jones and the Patriots defense.

Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

There’s a new king in the AFC East with Allen and the Bills. Every time the Patriots play against Buffalo, it’s going to be a test on both sides of the ball. Allen beat up the Patriots twice last season (in the playoffs and Week 16). The Pats needed gale-force winds to beat Buffalo in Week 13. Can Jones go toe-to-toe with Allen? Can the Patriots' defense stop Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs? Those questions will be answered twice next season in Weeks 13 and 18.

Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders

What better way to test the Patriots' defense than to go up against former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels? The new Raiders head coach is working with a potential high-octane offense. Las Vegas traded for All-Pro receiver Davante Adams, who should greatly help quarterback Derek Carr. He joins Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, Pro Bowl receiver Hunter Renfrow and Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs. Former New England assistants have had success against the Patriots in the past. This Week 15 Sunday night matchup will certainly teach us a lot about the Patriots' defense in 2022.

Patriots at Green Bay Packers

We expect Jones to make a big Year 2 jump. If he’s going to be a top-10 quarterback, he’ll need to perform well against top passers in the NFL. Jones gets that chance in Week 4 when the Patriots take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. There are plenty of questions about the weapons surrounding Rodgers this season after the team traded Adams to the Raiders, but the quarterback is one of the greats and will absolutely test the Patriots' defense.

Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins

The Patriots were swept by the Dolphins last year, losing the season opener, 17-16, and then dropping their regular-season finale in embarrassing fashion, 33-24. Miami once again serves as the regular-season opener for the Pats. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t scare the Patriots, but his new offensive weapons should. Under new head coach Mike McDonnell, Miami loaded up by trading for All-Pro wide out Tyreek Hill. He joins Jaylen Waddle, who is also a very fast receiver, and free-agent addition Cedrick Wilson. Miami also added three new running backs — Chase Edmonds, Sony Michel and Raheem Mostert.

The Patriots' 2022 NFL schedule:

Preseason Game 1: Patriots vs. New York Giants, TBD

Preseason Game 2: Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers, TBD

Preseason Game 3: Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders, TBD

Week 1: Patriots at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. (Sept. 11)

Week 2: Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. (Sept. 18)

Week 3: Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. (Sept. 25)

Week 4: Patriots at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. (Oct. 2)

Week 5: Patriots vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. (Oct. 9)

Week 6: Patriots at Cleveland, 1 p.m. (Oct. 16)

Week 7: Patriots vs. Chicago Bears, 8:15 p.m. (Monday night, Oct. 24)

Week 8: Patriots at New York Jets, 1 p.m. (Oct. 30)

Week 9: Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. (Nov. 6)

Week 10: Bye week

Week 11: Patriots vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. (Nov. 20)

Week 12: Patriots at Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m. (Thanksgiving, Nov. 24)

Week 13: Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. (Thursday night, Dec. 1)

Week 14: Patriots at Arizona Cardinals, 8:15 p.m. (Monday night, Dec. 12)

Week 15: Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:20 p.m. (Dec. 18)

Week 16: Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. (Saturday, Dec. 24)

Week 17: Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. (Jan. 1)

Week 18: Patriots at Buffalo Bills, TBD (Jan. 7 or 8)

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: New England Patriots' 2022 schedule: NFL releases week-by-week opponents