Green Bay Packers @ New England Patriots Predictions & Preview

The Patriots return to Gillette Stadium this Sunday after two weeks on the road, looking to make it four wins from four home games in 2026.

Standing in their way are the Green Bay Packers, who arrive in Foxborough with an identical 5-3 record. It promises to be a fascinating matchup between two teams looking to strengthen their playoff credentials, with Drake Maye and the Patriots' improving offence facing a Green Bay defence that has been one of the better units in the league this season.

Mike Vrabel's side will also be looking to build on an impressive road victory over the Miami Dolphins and continue the momentum that has seen the Pats win five of their first eight games.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of Sunday's showdown.

When and where

The Patriots will host the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

New England returns home after consecutive road games against the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, with the opportunity to improve to a perfect 4-0 at Gillette Stadium this season.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET, with the game being broadcast nationally on FOX. There will also be a familiar face in the commentary booth, with former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady providing colour analysis alongside play-by-play commentator Kevin Burkhardt.

For Patriots fans, Sunday's game also provides an opportunity to celebrate one of the greatest players in franchise history. Rob Gronkowski will be honoured during a halftime ceremony following his induction into the Patriots Hall of Fame as the 38th member.

The Patriots will also welcome back members of the 2016 Super Bowl-winning team for their 10th anniversary reunion.

Previous meetings and all-time record

Sunday's meeting will be the first time these two teams have faced each other since October 2, 2022, when the Packers edged the Patriots 27-24 in overtime at Lambeau Field.

The regular-season series is currently tied at 6-6, although the Pats have enjoyed considerably more success when hosting Green Bay.

New England holds a 5-2 home record against the Packers, including a 2-1 record at Gillette Stadium. Green Bay's only victory at Gillette came back in October 2002, when the Packers recorded a 28-10 win in the stadium's first season.

The most recent meeting at Gillette Stadium came in November 2018, when the Patriots claimed a convincing 31-17 victory.

There has also been one postseason meeting between the franchises, although it remains a painful memory for Patriots fans. Green Bay defeated New England 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI in January 1997, denying the Pats their first-ever Lombardi Trophy.

Interestingly, the Patriots' first regular-season home victory under Robert Kraft came against the Packers, with New England recording a 17-16 win at Foxboro Stadium on October 2, 1994. 

Predictions and favourites

This is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing matchups of Week 9, with both teams entering at 5-3 and showing plenty of improvement after relatively inconsistent starts to the season.

The Patriots have won four of their last five games, while the Packers have also won four of their previous five. Both teams have top-10 defences, but there are some significant differences in how they approach things offensively.

Drake Maye has been playing some outstanding football, accounting for at least three touchdowns in five consecutive games. He has thrown 15 touchdown passes through eight games and is developing an impressive connection with his receivers, particularly when attacking downfield.

His recent performances have included consecutive games with two touchdown passes of at least 30 yards. The connection with Kyle Williams and DeMario Douglas was particularly productive against Miami, with both receivers finding the end zone on explosive plays.

Green Bay, however, has its own dangerous quarterback in Jordan Love. The Packers rank second in the NFL in passing offence, averaging 271 yards per game, and Love has been particularly effective throwing downfield. He leads the league with 21 completions of at least 25 yards.

The biggest opportunity for New England could come against Green Bay's struggling rushing attack. The Packers are averaging just 60.6 rushing yards per game, the worst mark in the NFL, while the Patriots rank sixth in rushing defence, allowing just 92.6 yards per game.

If Vrabel's defence can shut down Josh Jacobs and force Love to carry the offensive workload, it could give the Pats a significant advantage.

However, Green Bay's defense is no pushover. The Packers have recorded 22 sacks this season, the same number as New England, and will be looking to put Maye under pressure.

What are the experts predicting?

The predictions from national media outlets are fairly divided, although there is a noticeable lean towards Green Bay among several prominent NFL analysts.

ESPN's panel has nine of its 11 experts picking the Packers, with Mike Clay and Dan Graziano backing the Patriots.

NFL.com's panel is similarly favourable towards Green Bay, with four of its five analysts predicting a Packers victory. Brooke Cersosimo is the exception, tipping New England to win 24-20.

CBS Sports also has a split panel, with Pete Prisco predicting a 19-16 Packers victory. Meanwhile, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio is backing the Patriots to win 31-21. 

My prediction: Patriots 27-24 Packers

This feels like a game that could go right down to the wire, but the Patriots have enough going for them to get the job done.

Maye's recent form is difficult to ignore, and the Packers' inability to establish a consistent running game could become a major problem against a New England defence that has been particularly effective against the run.

The home advantage could also prove important. The Pats have won all three of their games at Gillette Stadium this season and have an opportunity to make it four from four.

Green Bay will undoubtedly provide a stern test, particularly through the air, but I'm backing Maye to deliver another big performance and the Patriots to come out on top.

Patriots win: 27-24.