New England’s return to the playoffs in 2021 wasn’t met with a deep run as their division rival in the Buffalo Bills made quick work of the Patriots to send them home for the year. Since then, however, the club has made a number of additions to the offense to help Mac Jones as he is set to enter his second year in the league. If he is able to make a similar leap in Year 2 to what other young quarterbacks have done throughout the league in the past, the Patriots will be back in the postseason conversation and possibly even advance beyond just the first round.
Below, you’ll find out early predictions for every single game on the Patriots’ 18-week regular-season schedule:
Line: Dolphins -2.5 | Opponent wins: O/U 8.5
Miami has gone all-in this offseason, bringing in the likes of Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead, and a bunch of running backs to surround Tua Tagovailoa. While the Dolphins have certainly improved from the club that swept New England a year ago, it’s going to take them some time to jell, giving the Patriots an early opportunity to jump into the win column.
Prediction: Patriots win 27-21
Record: 1-0
Line: Patriots -1.5 | Opponent wins: O/U 7.5
Pittsburgh will either be rolling out Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett for this matchup. I’ll bank on the rookie winning the job in camp and beginning the year as the starter, which is good news for Bill Belichick who feasts on first-year signal-callers. This situation will be no different.
Prediction: Patriots win 28-20
Record: 2-0
Opponent wins: O/U 9.5
Baltimore was bit pretty hard by the injury bug last offseason and missed the playoffs because of it. Now that they’re fully healthy, they should return to being one of the elite teams in the AFC, which is bad news for New England. Lamar Jackson gives this defense headaches all afternoon with his legs and arm and spoils the home opener.
Prediction: Patriots lose 30-21
Record: 2-1
Opponent wins: O/U 11
Green Bay will have had roughly a month to figure out a pecking order for their offense at the receiver position in the aftermath of trading away Davante Adams this offseason. Even with a receiver unit that is lacking star power, Aaron Rodgers makes do and shows the Patriots defense why he is the defending back-to-back MVP.
Prediction: Patriots lose 33-24
Record: 2-2
Week 5 vs. Lions
Opponent wins: O/U 6
Detroit was a scrappy team last season even if their 3-13-1 record…
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