The Patriots 2013 schedule has been released, with matchups against top opponents in the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, and Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. The team's bye week comes in Week 10. Here's a look at each game and the Patriots' history against each opponent.

Analysis: The Patriots took both games from the Bills last season, but not without a bit of trouble in Week 10, when they escaped Buffalo with a 37-31 win. Devin McCourty, after moving to safety, intercepted a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass to help seal the game. Fitzpatrick was cut by the Bills in the offseason after a disappointing year. For now, the Bills' No. 1 quarterback is Tarvaris Jackson. That doesn't bode well for Buffalo's chances against the Patriots, who are 31-22-1 in Buffalo.

Analysis: The tables haven't turned much in the Jets' favor after a season of tumult. They still have to figure out their quarterback quandary. Expect the Patriots to sweep the series. New England is 29-25-1 at home against the Jets.

Analysis: Bill Belichick will go head-to-head with his friend Greg Schiano (formerly of Rutgers). The last matchup between the Patriots and Buccaneers was in 2009 at Wembley Stadium outside London, a 35-7 win for New England that Tom Brady and Wes Welker dominated. Schiano has revamped the Bucs on both sides of the ball, adding a little edge. With eight picks in the draft, Schiano could put together a team that can greatly improve upon its 2012 record (7-9). And who knows, he may have inside knowledge of the mind of Belichick. Hello, trap game!

Analysis: The Falcons came within 10 yards of a Super Bowl trip, failing to complete a pass on fourth and 4 in the 49ers red zone with just 1:13 left in the NFC Championship. There's no doubt that this team (13-3 in 2012) will be one of the Patriots' toughest challenges of the year. Former Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan is a stud. The last time the Patriots played the Falcons, Sept. 27, 2009, Tom Brady threw for 277 yards and a touchdown in a 26-10 win. Both teams have had dramatic overhauls since then.

Analysis: The Patriots get a chance to see old friend BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who ran for 1,094 yards and six touchdowns last season for Cincinnati. The Patriots last played the Bengals Sept. 12, 2010, a 38-24 win to open the season. The Bengals were one-and-done in the playoffs last year, finishing the regular season 10-6 thanks in part to a solid defense and the young Andy Dalton at quarterback. Despite bright spots throughout Cincy's roster, it does not match up well with New England's up-tempo offense.

Analysis: New Orleans is looking to bounce back after an abhorrent 7-9 season, and it will be boosted by the return of coach Sean Payton. There's no reason to believe the defense won't be upgraded after the dumping of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and hiring of Rob Ryan. The last meeting was in 2005, a 24-17 win for the Patriots. Bolstered by Drew Brees at quarterback, New Orleans is quite capable of matching the Patriots in firepower.

Analysis: The Patriots swept the season series with the Jets last year, beating their AFC East rivals on the road, 49-19, on Thanksgiving. Tom Brady was an efficient 18 of 27 for 323 yards and three touchdowns while Julian Edelman caught a 56-yard TD and returned a fumble for another score. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 301 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The tables haven't turned much in the Jets' favor after a season of tumult. Expect the same results for the Patriots.

Analysis: The Patriots are 29-17 against the Dolphins at home, winning last season's Week 17 matchup at Gillette Stadium, 28-0. It was a solid win for the Patriots, both to get the shutout and to do some tuneup work before the playoffs. The Dolphins are likely to be a better team in coach Joe Philbin's second year.

Analysis: The Steelers always play the Patriots tough, beating New England in the last meeting, 25-17, Oct. 30, 2011. In that game, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns, often hitting the Patriots' prized target of this offseason, Emmanuel Sanders (5 catches, 70 yards). But after a tough 2012 campaign — the Steelers finished 8-8 — and a revamp of the defense, there is no telling what's in store for the Patriots when Pittsburgh visits.

Analysis: The Panthers are still a relatively young team trying to figure out how to win, finishing 2012 behind the Falcons in the NFC South at 7-9. The last time the Patriots played the Panthers, a 20-10 win Dec. 13, 2009, Cam Newton was at Auburn and head coach Ron Rivera was an assistant with the San Diego Chargers. The Patriots have trouble with quarterbacks that can scramble, so that will be a point of attention, but this should be a classic case of David vs. Goliath.

Analysis: Old friend Wes Welker will return to Foxborough for the first time since signing with the Broncos. In the teams' last meeting (Oct. 7, 2012), the Patriots benefited from a key fumble by Willis McGahee in the fourth quarter, as well as 252 yards rushing (151 by Stevan Ridley) in a 31-21 win. The Patriots are 19-27 against the Broncos, including the playoffs. This will not just be one of the Patriots' premiere matchups, but one for the entire NFL season thanks to Welker, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning.

Analysis: The Texans took their lumps from the Patriots in 2012, losing in an AFC Divisional playoff matchup comically, 41-28, after being abused in Week 14 of the regular season, 42-14. The consensus among Texans observers is that the team needed a viable wide receiver opposite Andre Johnson. They released Kevin Walter and will likely replace him in the draft. There's no guarantee that any one move will help Houston beat New England. The team's health and holes in the secondary are important factors, too. This will be one of the Patriots' premiere matchups again.

Analysis: The Browns finished the 2012 season in disarray, a fledgling 5-11 team with questions about its quarterback plan (is Brandon Weeden the guy?) and receiving corps. The last time the Browns played the Patriots, Nov. 7, 2010, the Browns came away with an upset, 34-13, thanks to the tough running of Peyton Hillis. They have a new tough running back in Trent Richardson, but there is no way the Patriots will allow the Browns to surprise them again.

Analysis: On the Patriots' last jaunt to Sun Life Stadium, they struggled to pull out a 23-16 victory Dec. 2, scoring 17 points off turnovers. The Patriots swept the season series and are 16-33 overall in Miami. The Dolphins have lost running back Reggie Bush to free agency and have gained dynamic wide receiver Mike Wallace, possibly changing the way the Patriots will defend their AFC East rivals. Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill is expected to be better developed.

Analysis: The Ravens dismantled New England twice in 2012, beating the Patriots in a Week 3 overtime thriller (31-30) and again in the the AFC Championship, 28-13, before going on to win the Super Bowl. But these won't be the same Ravens after they lost spiritual leader Ray Lewis to retirement, as well as seven other starters to free agency, most notably Ed Reed. Right now, the Patriots have the edge.

Analysis: The Patriots are 33-19 against the Bills at home. There's much too much turnover on the Buffalo roster to get a gauge of what the team will be like in the upcoming season. After the Patriots swept the series last year — albeit with a bit of difficulty — there is no reason to believe the Bills are in a good position to steal a game from New England as they did in 2011.