We're a ways off from when I make my pick it or stick it season predictions — those come on the eve of the regular season once I've seen the Patriots and the rest of the NFL on the field.
For entertainment purposes, here are my previous real BSJ predictions:
2019 Prediction: 13-3. Reality: 12-4. My excuse: Patriots had just acquired Antonio Brown. Belichick didn't tell us they were going to play offense with zero tight ends
2018 Prediction: 12-4. Reality: 11-5. My excuse: Belichick didn't tell us he was going to put Gronk back on that kickoff in Miami.
2017 Prediction: 14-2: Reality: 13-3 (I also got Tom Brady NFL MVP as well). My excuse: I wasn't aware Stephon Gilmore was going to get spun around like a top vs. Carolina.
Since the schedule is out, might as well have a little fun and give our early look at how the 2020 Patriots will finish:
WEEK 1, Sept. 13th: Dolphins at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (1-0).
Don't think Tua will be on the menu for this game, but the Dolphins have changed out too many people on both sides of the ball to get off to a fast start.
WEEK 2, Sept. 20th (Sunday Night): Patriots at Seattle, 8:20 p.m.
Prediction: LOSS (1-1).
With or without fans, this will be a very tough trip against a very good team.
WEEK 3, Sept. 27th: Raiders at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (2-1).
I think these Raiders are going places, but another case where it's too early for a team with a lot of changes.
WEEK 4, Oct. 4th: Patriots at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m.
Prediction: LOSS (2-2).
Patriots' best hope is one big Super Bowl hangover, but this team and that QB are just too good.
WEEK 5, Oct. 11th: Broncos at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (3-2).
This is an early must-win before the bye week.
WEEK 7, Oct. 25th: 49ers at Patriots, 4:25 p.m.
Prediction: LOSS (3-3).
San Francisco is just one stacked team and Jimmy Garoppolo is going to have a big chip on his shoulder coming back here.
WEEK 8, Nov. 1st: Patriots at Bills, 1 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (4-3).
Tom Brady played one of his worst games last season up there and the Bills still couldn't beat the Patriots.
WEEK 9, Nov. 9th (Monday Night): Patriots at Jets, 8 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (5-3).
The Jets aren't beating the Patriots, not with Adam Gase.
WEEK 10, Nov. 15th (Sunday Night): Ravens at Patriots, 8:30 p.m.
Prediction: LOSS (5-4).
This one will be closer than people expect ... the Ravens just have way too much talent.
WEEK 11, Nov. 22nd: Patriots at Houston, 1 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (6-4).
Be prepared for a lot of "Patriots are better off without Tom Brady headlines, Belichick rules" headlines after this one when Jarrett Stidham isn't throwing his helmet on the sidelines.
WEEK 12, Nov. 29th: Cardinals at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (7-4).
I almost picked this as a classic 1 p.m. letdown game, but those 1 p.m. starts are tough for young West Coast teams like this. Cardinals are getting better and might pull this off.
WEEK 13, Dec. 6th: Patriots at Chargers, 4:25 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (8-4).
Patriots never lose to the Chargers, I don't care who is at quarterback.
WEEK 14, Dec. 10th (Thursday Night): Patriots at Rams, 8:20 p.m.
Prediction: LOSS (8-5).
Sean McVay had the gameplan for this game set last offseason. Thursday night is going to be a tough rebound on the road for a still-old team.
WEEK 15, Dec. 20th: Patriots at Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Prediction: LOSS (8-6).
A classic trap game for the Patriots — a team they handled earlier in the season before the AFC East Championship Game — and a spunky opponent who will be a much different team at this point in the season.
WEEK 16, Dec. 28th (Monday Night): Bills at Patriots, 8:15 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (9-6).
I'll let you in on a little secret ... JOSH ALLEN STINKS.
WEEK 17, Jan. 3rd: Jets at Patriots, 1 p.m.
Prediction: WIN (10-6).
Jets interim coach Gregg Williams gets the boys up for this one as he tries to earn the full-time job, but Dalton Keene scores four different ways — passing, running, receiving and blocked punt— plus a drop-kick extra point to cement his place in Patriots' history and Bill Belichick's heart forever.
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In all seriousness, I don't think this is too crazy. I even gave them a couple of surprise losses (Rams, Dolphins). It's not out of the question the Patriots run the table to close the season.
Why? We'll get into this much further down the road, but mostly because the entire offense besides QB (especially the offensive line) is back, Josh McDaniels will get the QB to execute a low-risk passing game, and the defense will be very good again.
Outside of the Texans game, this is a very Cassel-ish record where the Patriots really don't beat anyone of substance outside of the Bills, but that's in the division and Belichick has Sean McDermott running around in circles he's so in his head.
What do you think?
[democracy id="37"]
Again, you can't hold me to any of this, ;)