The Pats have kicked off an NFL season before, and they've done it big. Expect more jubilation at Gillette Stadium after a ridiculous Super Bowl win came on the heels of the Deflategate scandal. (The prospect of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell returning to Foxborough will no doubt be a summer-long storyline.)

What team might the dynastic Patriots open against after their latest Super Bowl victory?

New England's home opponents in 2017 are the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and San Diego Chargers.

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After one of the most thrilling Super Bowl games in NFL history, we should get back-to-back NFL Kickoff rematch games. . . . The #Revenge factor for Atlanta will provide offseason narratives to fill the hours and hours of programming. . . . Opening the season with a rematch allows TV networks to put the Super Bowl LI highlights on loop all summer. The NFL loves marketing its biggest event during the down months.

This is the only realistic option for NFL Kickoff. Book your hotels now.

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