The NFL released its 2005 schedule today and once again, the reigning champions will be highlighted in four prime time games.
As announced earlier, the Patriots open the season for the league on Thursday night, Sept. 8 against the Oakland Raiders in a 9:00 pm prime timer on ABC. Their next game comes on Sept. 18 against the Panthers on the road, a 1:00 pm contest that can be seen on CBS. That's followed by another road game, this one against the Steelers on Sept. 25 at 4:15 pm, also a CBS-televised game.
New England's three other prime time games are against the Bills on Sun., Oct. 30 at 8:30 pm on ESPN, the Colts on Mon., Nov. 7 at 9 pm (both games are home at Gillette Stadium) and on the road against the Jets on Mon., Dec. 26 at 9:00 pm. New England ends the season at home against the Dolphins at 1:00 pm on New Year's Day.
This year's bye week for the Patriots comes during Week 7 of the season.
The New England Patriots full 2005 season schedule including preseason is below.
| 2005 PATRIOTS SCHEDULE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESEASON | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Stadium | Time | Network | Boston Affiliate |
| Fri., Aug 12 | at Cincinnati Bengals | Paul Brown Stadium | 7:30 p.m. | WCVB | WCVB Channel 5 |
| Thurs., Aug 18 | New Orleans Saints | Gillette Stadium | 8:00 p.m. | FOX | WFXT Channel 25 |
| Thurs., Aug 25 | at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | 8:00 p.m. | WCVB | WCVB Channel 5 |
| Thurs., Sept. 1 | New York Giants | Gillette Stadium | 8:00 p.m. | WCVB | WCVB Channel 5 |
REGULAR SEASON | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Stadium | Time | Network | Boston Affiliate |
| Thurs., Sept. 8 | Oakland Raiders | Gillette Stadium | 9:00 p.m. | ABC | WCVB Channel 5 |
| Sun., Sept. 18 | at Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sun., Sept. 25 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | Heinz Field | 4:15 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sun., Oct. 2 | San Diego Chargers | Gillette Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sun., Oct. 9 | at Atlanta Falcons | Georgia Dome | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sun., Oct. 16 | at Denver Broncos | Invesco Field at Mile High | 4:15 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sun., Oct. 23 | BYE WEEK | ||||
| Sun., Oct. 30 | Buffalo Bills | Gillette Stadium | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN | WCVB Channel 5 |
| Mon., Nov. 7 | Indianapolis Colts | Gillette Stadium | 9:00 p.m. | ABC | WCVB Channel 5 |
| Sun., Nov. 13 | at Miami Dolphins | Dolphins Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sun., Nov. 20 | New Orleans Saints | Gillette Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | FOX | WFXT Channel 25 |
| Sun., Nov. 27 | at Kansas City Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sun., Dec. 4 | New York Jets | Gillette Stadium | 4:15 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sun., Dec. 11 | at Buffalo Bills | Ralph Wilson Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
| Sat., Dec. 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Gillette Stadium | 1:30 p.m. | FOX | WFXT Channel 25 |
| Mon., Dec. 26 | at New York Jets | The Meadowlands | 9:00 p.m. | ABC | WCVB Channel 5 |
| Sun., Jan. 1 | Miami Dolphins | Gillette Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | WBZ Channel 4 |
