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Air-Fair? Patriots Face 10th-'Longest' Schedule

Because of a trip to Germany, the New England Patriots will travel more than 23,000 miles to play their 17 games this season.

Mostly thanks to their trip overseas to Germany, the New England Patriots will be one of the NFL's most well-traveled teams this season.

While the league's full schedule won't be released until Thursday night, the Pats already know their opponents, their rival for the game in Germany, and the fact that they will travel the 10th-most miles among the 32 teams. The NFL revealed Wednesday that the Patriots will play a "home" game Nov. 12 against the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt.

Adding to that long haul of approximately 7,500 miles round trip, the Pats will travel west across the country to face the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders to push their total 23,299.

According to the Boston Herald's Bill Speros, New England will fly through 26 time zones to play its 17 games.

The Seattle Seahawks will lead the NFL in miles traveled at 31,600 and 36 time zones. The Cincinnati Bengals will commute the least, covering only 11,942 miles over 12 time zones.

The Pats will travel the second-most among AFC East teams, behind the Miami Dolphins (third-most at 27,110) but ahead of the Buffalo Bills (15th with 19,028) and New York Jets (26th at 14,282).

New England didn't fare too well in its "long-distance" trips last season, losing in Miami and Las Vegas while managing a victory against the Cardinals in Arizona.

The team gets its first look at the 12 draft choices and undrafted free agents beginning Friday at Gillette Stadium.


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