The New England Patriots schedule for 2020 has dropped so how will the team navigate its first season in two decades without Tom Brady at the helm?
With the New England Patriots schedule for 2020 being released this week, there is perhaps no team with a bigger question mark hanging over them than Bill Belichick’s club. Yes, he’s arguably the greatest head coach ever. Yes, he’s earned our trust. But at the same time, we haven’t seen the Patriots play without Tom Brady in 20 years — yet that’s the task for the upcoming season.
The Patriots’ belief in second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham appears to be more than just lip-service as he seems in-line to get the starting job. However, the weapons around him remain suspect and the offensive line struggled last season. The defense remains talented, headlined by Stephon Gilmore, and Belichick is Belichick. So how does that all balance out?
Let’s try to figure that out as we go through the Patriots 2020 schedule game-by-game and predict the outcome for each to see what New England’s final record will end up being.
Week 1: vs. Dolphins
Hope is anew in Miami with Tua Tagovailoa and Brian Flores certainly will always have motivation against the Patriots. In Week 1 at Gillette though, I’m not sure the Dolphins are ready to start their upswing. Prediction: Win
Week 2: at Seahawks
Truth be told, there are a lot of justified concerns about the Seahawks. But at the end of the day, if you have a matchup between Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham, Wilson gets the nod 10-of-10 times. Prediction: Loss
Week 3: vs. Raiders
Because of their unique brand of drafting, people tend to joke about Jon Gruden’s Raiders. However, “Chucky” proved he’s got plenty left in the coaching tank last season and now has more firepower on both sides of the ball. Las Vegas could sneak up on a ton of people in 2020. Prediction: Loss
Week 4: at Chiefs
Even if the Patriots still had Tom Brady, they’re no match for Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champs — especially with the Chiefs at Arrowhead. Prediction: Loss
Week 5: vs. Broncos
People are jumping the gun on Drew Lock in my opinion but there’s no arguing the weapons the Broncos put around the young quarterback. The defense should bounce back as well and the Pats drop to 1-3 and the sky is starting to fall heading into the Week 6 bye. Prediction: Loss
Week 7: vs. 49ers
There are always games that just don’t make sense. This is one of them. San Francisco is the better team but I believe in the Patriots defense to slow down the 49ers, particularly with intimate knowledge of Jimmy Garoppolo. Prediction: Win
Week 8: at Bills
By all accounts, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills appear to be the new favorites in the AFC East. They have a nice overall roster that got better in the 2020 offseason and they make a statement at home against the Patriots here. Prediction: Loss
Week 9: at Jets
Anyone fully buying into Sam Darnold and the Jets right now is jumping the gun. Having said that, the team should be improved in the 2020 season, which is more than can be said of the Patriots. New England drops this matchup on the road. Prediction: Loss
Week 10: vs. Ravens
Remember when I had the Patriots knocking off the 49ers after their bye week. Yeah, that’s not happening here. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens ran all over New England last season and it could be even more of a trip to the woodshed this time around. Prediction: Loss
Week 11: at Texans
Houston was already a pretty volatile team, despite how talented Deshaun Watson is. This offseason has only made them more volatile in my mind and this might actually be Jarrett Stidham’s best game of the season. Prediction: Win
Week 12: vs. Cardinals
After adding DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, the Cardinals could be one of the most fun offensive teams in the league. However, their defense remains a bit suspect and Belichick will flex his defensive mind at home to slow down Kyler Murray and Arizona in this late-season matchup. Prediction: Win
Week 13: at Chargers
By my estimation, Tyrod Taylor is the only thing holding this Chargers roster back from being a potential Super Bowl sleeper. Justin Herbert at this point in his development isn’t much of an upgrade either. Even still, the totality of the roster is good enough to topple the Patriots in Los Angeles. Prediction: Loss
Week 14: at Rams
The Patriots stay in Los Angeles for another road game late in the season, this time against a perplexing Rams team. This is another instance where New England’s defensive talent and Belichick’s acumen will shine. Prediction: Win
Week 15: at Dolphins
Even with their recent struggles, the Dolphins have given the Patriots fits. While I’m skeptical about Miami winning in Week 1, they’ll take care of business in Miami as the Fins build optimism for the 2021 season in a big way. Prediction: Loss
Week 16: vs. Bills
While you might think that the Patriots would split home-and-home wins with the Bills, Buffalo is just too superior of a team by my estimation. The defense will again cause Stidham fits and push the Bills (likely) to the AFC East title. Prediction: Loss
Week 17: vs. Jets
Are the Patriots going to lose their final three games on the 2020 schedule? While Darnold and the Jets got the better of New England in the Big Apple, that won’t be the case in New England. Belichick ends the season on a relative high note — even if it won’t totally feel like it. Prediction: Win
Final Record Prediction: 6-10