Finally, the 2022 NFL season starts.
Who's going to win it all?
Who's going to take home the awards?
Where are the Patriots going to finish?
One little note/reminder ... I'm usually pretty close on the Patriots' record and always one game too optimistic. That could be a bad sign if that continues. I've only been really off one time, and that was The Cam Newton Year. As I said previously ... I think we can all agree that didn't really happen and we all blacked out:
2021 Prediction: 11-6. Reality: 10-7.
My excuse: I didn't expect another loss at Miami to finish the season. I did get their No. 6 playoff seeding right as well.
2020 Prediction: 10-6. Reality: 7-9.
My excuse: Covid. Totally Covid ... and Cam Newton.
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 had Tom Brady NFL MVP).
My excuse: I wasn’t aware Stephon Gilmore was going to get spun around like a top vs. Carolina.
So with that as a background — I will go more into detail about how I see the Patriots' season going this weekend — here is how I see things playing out this NFL season, starting with the Bills beating the Rams tonight (of course I'll go 0-1), and we offer our NFL and Patriots individual award winners:
AFC
NFC
POSTSEASON
PATRIOTS SCHEDULE
Notes:
- I have them starting 1-3 but pulling ahead of the Bills at 4-3 and 5-3 as Buffalo has a killer early part of the schedule.
- The Colts (home) and Vikings (away on Thanksgiving) are going to be two huge swing games. I have them losing both, but even if they win both, it does not put them into the playoffs.
- The AFC record is going to be huge. I have them at 5-7. The Colts and Raiders games are bigger. Still doesn't get them in as 11-6 is the final spot in my prediction.
- To get in, the Patriots are going to have to play well vs. AFC. That means beating the Colts and Raiders, and at least one other game against the Ravens, Bengals and likely a sweep of the Dolphins.
NFL AND PATRIOTS AWARD WINNERS
MVP
NFL: Josh Allen, Bills
Starting with the second half against the Bucs last season, Allen truly went to an elite level and I don't see him going back, at least this year.
Patriots: Matthew Judon
He'll be great from start to finish and he is by far the team's best and most talented player.
Offensive player of the year
NFL: Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals
So talented and has enough of a supporting cast that he can't be doubled all the time.
Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson
Hunter Henry was close because he's the red zone threat, but Stevenson will ascend to a starting role and will double as a pass catcher.
Defensive player of the year
NFL: Micah Parsons, Cowboys
So good as a rookie. He's a freak and a force. Closest thing to Lawrence Taylor I've seen.
Patriots: Christian Barmore
A lot of players slack off after tasting success as a rookie. Barmore keeps getting better. Will be a full-time player.
Offensive rookie of the year
NFL: Chris Olave, Saints
Will get plenty of balls with opponents trying to stop Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas.
Patriots: Cole Strange
He'll have some rough moments in the first half of the season, but he'll settle down and be very solid. That's good for a rookie.
Defensive rookie of the year
NFL: Aidan Hutchinson, Lions
Ton of talent, quick and a relentless motor will cause a lot of plays.
Patriots: Jack Jones
Kind of limited options here, and you'd rather not have someone emerge. If Jones has to play, that means either someone was benched or injured, and this group is thin.
Comeback player of the year
NFL: JK Dobbins, Ravens
One of the many injured Ravens of a season ago, Dobbins will get to show how good he is and make that backfield dynamic.
Patriots: Raekwon McMillan
New England had big plans for him before he was lost for the season. We'll see what they were missing with his playmaking ability.
Coach of the year
NFL: Josh McDaniels, Raiders
OK, this is a little bit of just naming him for the comedy factor, but if he can get this team into the playoffs in that division in his first season ... that's pretty good.
Patriots (assistant coach): DeMarcus Covington
Going with what I think will be the best-performing position group, and I think the defensive line makes a comeback this season. He's played a big role in Barmore's development and if Covington can get Davon Godchaux to be more consistent, look out.