Reuters

Four early-season Patriots opponents probably did more than a double take upon seeing the news Monday that quarterback Tom Brady’s four-game suspension is back on.

The Patriots open the season at Arizona on Sept. 11 in a marquee game selected for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. They follow that with a home game vs. the Dolphins, a Thursday night game vs. the Texans, then a third consecutive home game vs. the Bills.

That’s two division games and two games against teams that made the playoffs last season. The Cardinals and Texans games are national TV games, though a potential Brady absence due to this neverending fight vs. the NFL still makes for compelling television.

Brady would be eligible to return Oct. 9 when the Patriots play in Cleveland.