The New England Patriots’ schedule was launched Wednesday, and the rapid response hasn’t been too constructive.
Is it going to be enjoyable for some people to journey out to Arizona, San Francisco, Miami, Nashville, Chicago and possibly even London? Sure, however it’ll get fairly previous for the oldsters who need to do all that touring to play soccer.
The Patriots are transferring round greater than nearly anybody, rating fourth in complete miles traveled throughout the upcoming season. It’s additionally a tricky season to have a last-place schedule since there are many groups coming off unhealthy damage seasons that count on to take a step ahead.
New England has loads of excuses, however we imagine there’s some cause for optimism coming into the upcoming season. Let’s check out every sport on the schedule and make some predictions, we could?
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WEEK 1: at Cincinnati Bengals — LOSS (0-1)
Cincinnati is the prime instance of a crew returning key gamers from damage, with Joe Burrow headlining a listing of beforehand banged-up Bengals. He’s been a near-MVP when wholesome all through his comparatively quick profession and will have enjoyable chucking it round to Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins (???) and Jermaine Burton within the opener.
Trent Brown and Ted Karras, a pair of previous pals, make up a drastically improved offensive line, whereas defenders Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, Kris Jenkins, Cam Taylor-Britt, Logan Wilson and Geno Stone make up a proficient protection.
WEEK 2: vs. Seattle Seahawks — LOSS (0-2)
The Seahawks seem like in line for one more step ahead this season, with Mike Macdonald being employed to take over for the growing old Pete Carroll.
Seattle has expertise up and down the roster, with its extensive receiver unit and secondary every being among the many most proficient within the NFL. If the Seahawks can break the 20-point mark, they need to be fantastic on this sport.
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WEEK 3: at New York Jets — LOSS (0-3)
The Patriots have had higher begins, however it’s powerful to ascertain something however a loss so long as Aaron Rodgers nonetheless has two functioning legs by Week 3.
It’ll be a primetime sport, with New England touring after internet hosting Seattle. New York, alternatively, will likely be coming off an anticipated rout of the Tennessee Titans.
WEEK 4: at San Francisco 49ers — LOSS (0-4)
We gained’t waste any time itemizing off the quantity of All-Professional gamers on the 49ers. You already know all of them, and this can be a loss as long as nothing loopy occurs.
WEEK 5: vs. Miami Dolphins — WIN (1-4)
It looks like there are lots of people who count on the Dolphins to regress sooner or later, and also you’re studying one in every of them. Tyreek Hill is growing old, there’s little depth within the trenches down on South Seashore and Tua Tagovailoa can’t hold getting away with this.
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The Patriots get their first win at Gillette Stadium, although it takes longer than many hope.
WEEK 6: vs. Houston Texans — LOSS (1-5)
C.J. Stroud will hit a tough patch sooner or later in his sophomore marketing campaign, and it very properly might come throughout this sport towards the Patriots. Houston is simply too proficient to lose a matchup towards New England.
WEEK 7: at Jacksonville Jaguars — WIN (2-5)
Jacksonville has some expertise, however it’s not precisely daunting. It’s a giant yr for the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence, however we don’t see them kicking the behavior of getting in their very own method.
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New England will journey throughout the pond for the second consecutive season, however this time it finally ends up with a victory. Mac Jones is enjoying for the opposite crew, in spite of everything.
WEEK 8: vs. New York Jets — WIN (3-5)
The Patriots get their win again within the dwelling half of their season sequence with the Jets. New York’s growing old roster gained’t be 100% at this level within the season, so it begins to slip proper round right here.
WEEK 9: at Tennessee Titans — WIN (4-5)
Can somebody say “profitable streak?”
The Titans aren’t superb, so we envision this being the Patriots’ best victory of the season. New England’s protection ought to have enjoyable on this one.
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WEEK 10: at Chicago Bears — LOSS (4-6)
It’s time for the beginning of one other dropping streak.
The Bears ought to hit their stride by Week 10, with Caleb Williams firmly entrenched within the beginning position along with his new group of weapons. The Patriots may very well be scrappy on this one, however there’s an excessive amount of expertise out in Chicago.
WEEK 11: vs. Los Angeles Rams — LOSS (4-7)
The Rams haven’t been revered sufficient for the way good they continually are. LA’s offense is a well-oiled machine and the protection has a few younger studs up entrance. New England gained’t be capable to pull this one out.
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WEEK 12: at Miami Dolphins — LOSS (4-8)
Miami will get its win again right here, needing one to remain in rivalry. It’s additionally the purpose the place New England decides it is likely to be time for some Drake Maye, with 5 video games left within the season to get him some run.
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WEEK 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts — WIN (5-8)
Maye earns a victory in his first begin, carving up a mediocre Colts protection in entrance of the Gillette Stadium trustworthy. He’s formally the man by December.
WEEK 14: BYE
WEEK 15: at Arizona Cardinals — WIN (6-8)
The Cardinals stink. It doesn’t matter who begins this one — the Patriots will win.
WEEK 16: at Buffalo Payments — LOSS (6-9)
Maye hits his first actual tough patch, with the Patriots struggling to get a lot of something going towards the Payments. It’s a brand new period in New England, however nothing modifications towards Buffalo.
WEEK 17: vs. Los Angeles Chargers — WIN (7-9)
The Chargers have routinely discovered methods to lose regardless of an insane stage of expertise. Justin Herbert misplaced weapons within the offense, so we count on this to be a simple victory for the Patriots.
Maye and Ja’Lynn Polk might discover a rhythm towards a suspect LA secondary.
WEEK 18: vs. Buffalo Payments — TIE (7-9-1)
It’s utterly unserious to forecast a tie within the NFL, however so is making picks 4 months earlier than video games are performed.
The Payments ought to have a playoff spot locked up at this level, and the Patriots gained’t actually care an excessive amount of about draft positioning. It’ll be delight versus the backups in Buffalo, which looks like a wash.
