Expectations exterior of One Patriot Place usually are not excessive.
First-year head coach Jerod Mayo and the New England Patriots are the betting favourite to complete with the worst document within the NFL (+260, FanDuel Sportsbook). Oddsmakers have set the staff’s win complete at 4.5. And given what followers noticed through the offseason and through parts of the preseason, the favored narrative is that it should take time for this rebuild.
Regardless of that, we have provide you with six (largely constructive) daring predictions getting into the 2024 marketing campaign:
DeMario Douglas leads AFC East receivers in catches
We’re beginning daring! The second-year wideout caught 49 balls for 561 yards and 0 touchdowns in his rookie season (14 video games). That is fairly a good distance from Miami Dolphins celebrity Tyreek Hill (119 catches) and New York Jets third-year receiver Garrett Wilson (95 catches). However is there an opportunity Douglas takes a big step ahead on account of an elevated workload within the offense? On this state of affairs, that vital step coincides with Hill seeing much less given Miami’s abundance of ability gamers and the Jets’ offense being extra balanced with operating again Breece Corridor complementing quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
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Keion White data 10+ sacks
The 2023 second-round choose registered a mere one sack throughout his rookie season when he performed 49% of defensive snaps. However White, who was a standout throughout coaching camp and the preseason, now enters his second 12 months with an enormous alternative. The Patriots traded high edge rusher in Matthew Judon, and defensive deal with Christian Barmore is ready to overlook an prolonged time period — if he returns in any respect. White’s versatility offers him the prospect to play each on the inside and on the sting. He looks like New England’s finest three-down participant on the defensive position.
Rookie wideouts mix for 1,400 yards
Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker made a handful of highlight-reel performs this preseason with the second-round Polk bringing it extra constantly. There’s an actual probability Polk turns right into a legit second choice (behind Douglas) within the offense. May that imply one thing like 800 receiving yards? That will be fairly the rookie season for the Washington product. Ought to this come up quick, it looks like it is going to be as a result of Baker, who may very well be repping down the depth chart, comes up quick on his half.
Rhamondre Stevenson units profession highs in yards, touchdowns
Stevenson was restricted to 12 video games on account of damage in 2023, which triggered his manufacturing to take a noticeable step again from a profitable sophomore marketing campaign. Stevenson set profession highs in yards (1,040) and touchdowns (5) through the 2022 season, and we’re of the idea Alex Van Pelt’s new offense will enable him to surpass these marks. Stevenson stated he enjoys the brand new offense and New England operating again coach Taylor Embree believes Stevenson will have the ability to stack a ton of explosive runs within the scheme.
Drake Maye wins NFL debut in Week 8
Let’s do it: We’re predicting the third total choose is given the prospect to begin in late October towards the New York Jets. It comes after an early-season gauntlet along with his first begin at Gillette Stadium earlier than a pair of away video games towards the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears — an honest touchdown spot for the 22-year-old.
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Patriots lose first six video games
New England was dealt a tricky stretch to begin the season with the Bengals, Seahawks, Jets, 49ers, Dolphins and Texans within the first six weeks. It looks like at the least 5 of these groups will likely be within the playoffs with solely Seattle unknown. Cincinnati (10.5), New York (9.5), San Francisco (11.5), Miami (9.5) and Houston (9.5) all greater than double New England’s projected win complete on FanDuel Sportsbook (4.5). All 5 are favored to make the postseason. Oh yeah, we’re banking on the Patriots to go beneath the 4.5, too.
