New England Patriots: Game-by-game predictions for the 2019 season
By Adam Patrick
Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers (Home)
During the Belichick era, the Steelers have actually been one of the teams to actually give the Patriots some trouble. But that hasn’t been the case recently.
New England has won four of their last five matchups against Pittsburgh and the Patriots have just one home loss to the Steelers since 2002. Throw in the fact that New England has won nine of their previous 10 Week 1 games inside their home stadium and Pittsburgh’s chances for a victory don’t seem too great.
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Expect this matchup to be close and competitive, but also expect the Patriots to open their year with a win.
Prediction: Win (1-0)
Week 2: Miami Dolphins (Away)
If there is one place that the Patriots struggle, it’s during their annual trips to south Florida to take on the Dolphins. Since 2013, New England has come away with just one win in their last six road matchups against Miami.
It doesn’t seem to matter how well the Patriots are playing or how bad the Dolphins are when these two teams meet up in Miami, New England just hasn’t been able to perform well in these annual road games over the last few years.
Add in that this season’s matchup will pit new Dolphins head coach Brian Flores against his old employer in the Patriots and this game reeks of an upset.
Prediction: Loss (1-1)