My friend Frankie, who could accurately be called The Item’s Swiss Army knife, used to spend endless hours talking about the Patriots with me as the opening of training camp drew closer.
And one of our favorite things to do was to go through the schedule, make predictions, and come up with an overall record. Regardless of who came out ahead in this annual exercise, both of us were usually close to being on the mark.
Before I get to that, however, I have to make a few general observations.
First, quarterback Drake Maye is not an untested rookie. Fans are going to show less patience for mistakes, and if he stinks, the calls will come for him to be replaced (though with whom, I have no idea).
Second, I don’t see where the team got anywhere straightening out its receivers. Unless there’s dramatic improvement somewhere, the receivers will still struggle, and Maye will be a sitting duck.
Third, the defense, which cratered last year, will be vastly improved. For a group that was supposed to lead the way in 2024, the defense was awful. That can’t happen again.
Finally, the presence of a real coach and not an unqualified legacy will mean overall improvement in the team on the field. How much remains to be seen.
Let’s find out . . .
WEEK 1 – Home vs. Las Vegas. Two coaches making their debuts with their new teams. Pete Carroll has got to be as pumped and jacked as a septuagenarian can be. And Mike Vrabel needs to make a good impression, too. This will be a grinder. PATRIOTS.
WEEK 2 – Away at Miami. Ninety degrees with humidity to match. Patriots never do well down there no matter when they play. DOLPHINS.
WEEK 3 – Home vs. Pittsburgh. The Steelers will be even tougher to stomach with Aaron Rodgers on the team. STEELERS.
WEEK 4 – Home vs. Carolina. The Panthers have nowhere to go but up. Just like the Pats. PATRIOTS.
WEEK 5 – Away at Buffalo. The Bills are playing in a different league. QB Josh Allen won’t shred this defense, but he’ll do enough to win. BILLS.
WEEK 6 – Away at New Orleans. It’s kind of tough to pick this game when the Saints go into training camp unsettled on their quarterback. PATRIOTS
WEEK 7 – Away at Tennessee. Just wondering if Vrabel gets a hero’s welcome. Three years ago, he had this team up 21-0 in the AFC title game before the Titans remembered who they were playing. TITANS.
WEEK 8 – Home vs. Cleveland. After making the playoffs in 2023, the Browns returned to their customary spot in the AFC North basement. Still . . . BROWNS.
WEEK 9 – Home vs. Atlanta. Another team that won’t soon forget humiliation at the hands of the Patriots. Michel Penix Jr. has been anointed as the starting QB, but Kirk Cousins, unless he’s dealt, lurks in the background. FALCONS.
WEEK 10 – Away at Tampa Bay. Is mammoth DT Calijah Kancey ready to wreak havoc? He won’t have to be the reincarnation of Mean Joe Green to storm the beaches at Raymond James Stadium. And he may be late to the party, but Baker Mayfield has fit in nicely down there. BUCCANEERS.
WEEK 11 – Home vs. N.Y. Jets. Thank goodness there are these little breaks in the schedule during an NFL season. PATRIOTS.
WEEK 12 – Away at Cincinnati. Remember when the Bungles were the tomato cans’ tomato cans? Nope. Not now. Not as long as Joe Burrow is around. BENGALS.
WEEK 13 – Home vs. N.Y. Giants. Can we all kneel down and thank the Lord for New York football teams? PATRIOTS.
WEEK 14 – Bye. At least it’s not a loss . . .
WEEK 15 – Home vs. Buffalo. Nothing has changed from Week 5. The Bills are still better in every way. BILLS.
WEEK 16 – Away at Baltimore. This will be a good time to take a day trip. Get an early jump on holiday shopping. Don’t get near the TV. RAVENS.
WEEK 17 – Home vs. N.Y. Jets. This will be just what the doctor ordered after getting picked apart by Lamar Jackson and Baltimore. PATRIOTS.
WEEK 18 – Home vs. Miami. Know how the Patriots wilt in Florida heat? Well, the Dolphins freeze in place in Foxborough in December. PATRIOTS.
That comes out to a 7-10 record. Considering how bad they were last season, a three-win improvement with this schedule would be a more-than-acceptable season.
I’ll be interested in seeing what you think.
