Now that we know the Patriots' schedule, what the hell, let's toss in our two cents with a predicted record, which will be revised at least one more time on the eve of the season opener against the Raiders. And I'm going to throw in an added twist: a look at Will Campbell's likely matchups (using OurLads and ProFootballFocus as a source), which could be a key factor each week, at least as he gets acclimated to the NFL.
PRESEASON
Nothing about Ws and Ls, just more of an exercise to see how tuned up Campbell and his shorter arms will be for the regular season.
Commanders
Right edges: Deatrich Wise (35 5/8 arms), Clellin Ferrell (34 1/8)
Oh, hello again, old friend (and Jonathan Jones). This is actually a great matchup, given Wise's length and experience, for Campbell to go through out of the gate. Hopefully Wise plays and they all play more than a series. Ferrell is more about power.
Vikings
Right edges: Jonathan Greenard (34 7/8), Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (33 ½).
While Wise is a good physical matchup, Greenard is a bigger test from a production standpoint. He's one of the best in the league with a combined 25 sacks and 133 total pressures the past two seasons, including last year in Minnesota. The joint practices should be fun as well.
Giants
Right edges: Rookie Abdul Carter (34), Kayvon Thibodeaux (33 1/8)
We're not really sure where the Giants are going to play Carter, but let's hope an Amazon Prime Video audience gets a look at two of the top draft picks in this class. And Thibodeaux is no slouch either. To this point, pretty good season prep for Campbell. Carter will bring more speed than anyone he has faced to this point.
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Week 1 vs. Raiders, 1 p.m.
Right edges: Malcolm Koonce (33 3/8), Tyree Wilson (35 5/8), Andre Carter II (33 3/8)
This is a pretty tough matchup out of the shoot for a couple of reasons: A) Koonce has really come into his own of late, and Wilson has a ton of talent (Josh McDaniels drafted him 7th overall in 2023) and serious length. And, the other HUGE factor: Maxx Crosby is lining up on the other side, and the entire game plan is going to center around giving Morgan Moses help against him. Meaning, Campbell is probably going to be on his own almost the entire game in his NFL debut. If I were the Raiders, just to screw with Campbell, McDaniels and Mike Vrabel, I'd train Crosby all summer to play RDE in this matchup (and maybe some others). But I doubt they do that.
Result: Patriots win (1-0).
McDaniels is not going to lose to the Raiders.
Week 2 at Dolphins, 1 p.m.
Right edges: Bradley Chubb (34), Chop Robinson (32 1/2), Quinton Bell
Not sure where everyone is going to line up but Miami has a potentially very good trio in Jaelen Phillips, Chubb and Robinson. With some good players inside as well, Campbell might not get a ton of help in his game but he might need it against Chubb.
Result: Patriots lose (1-1).
Tua, Tyreek and Jaylen will still be healthy, and it will be about 125 degrees on that turf.
Week 3 vs. Steelers, 1 p.m.
Right edges: Alex Highsmith (33 1/8), Nick Herbig (31 1/4), Rookie Jack Sawyer (31 ¾).
While Sawyer is an undersized rookie (and we're not sure where he's going to play), Highsmith has been uber productive and Herbig really came on last season. And like the Raiders matchup, the bigger concern is TJ Watt over Moses on the other side, meaning a lot of one-on-ones for Campbell (and blitzes off the edge).
Result: Patriots win (2-1).
This is going to be a toss-up game once we eventually know the Steelers' quarterback. This is a tough matchup for Campbell and the Patriots' offense. Could be an AFC North grind-it-out game.
Week 4 vs. Panthers, 1 p.m.
Right edges: DJ Wonnum (34 1/8), Rookie Princely Umanmielen (33 7/8), Rookie Nic Scourton (33)
Going admit, I don't know much about any of these guys other than Scourton was in a Texas A&M front that Campbell faced at LSU. Wonnum had 4 sacks and 26 total pressures, and that was second on the team to the Ghost of Jadeveon Clowney. Seems to be a bit of a breather for Campbell.
Result: Patriots win (3-1).
But this isn't going to be easy. Unlike Jerod Mayo, Dave Canales had his team and Bryce Young playing inspired football at the end of the season. Their defense stunk, however, allowing the most points and yards in the league. Could be a shootout.
Week 5 at Bills, 8:20 p.m.
Right edges: Joey Bosa (33 3/8), AJ Epenesa (34 ½), Rookie Landon Jackson (33 ¼)
Welcome to BillsMafia, Will Campbell! Not only are you making your first visit to Buffalo - for a night game and national TV audience - but you get to face Bosa (assuming he's not injured yet - a big assumption), the solid and long Epenesa, and Jackson, who gave you your worst film on the college level. Might as well get it out of the way.
Result: Patriots lose (3-2).
Little early for this matchup with so many new players and new schemes. Communication on both sides will be tested. Learn the lessons, get ready for the rematch.
Week 6 at Saints, 4:25 p.m.
Right edges: Carl Granderon (34), Isaiah Foskey (34).
Probably the most interesting part of this matchup, apart from Davon Godchaux on the interior, is that Kelvin Banks could be the Saints' starting LT and we could get a little side-by-side comparison.
Result: Patriots win (4-2)
Another tough place to play, especially if the Saints get off to a good start. But who the hell is going to be playing QB?
Week 7 at Titans, 1 p.m.
Right edges: Arden Key (33 ½), Rookie Oluwafemi Oladejo (33 3/8)
Really like Oladejo coming out. He's long and a good player, but I think Campbell should be able to handle him (Campbell didn't allow a pressure to UCLA last year). And Key is a journeyman who McDaniels knows from Vegas. But everything will be centered around stopping Jeffery Simmons, which the Patriots did not do last year.
Result: Patriots win (5-2).
Vrabel is not losing in front of Amy Strunk Adams.
Week 8 vs. Browns, 1 p.m.
Right edges: Isaiah McGuire (33 7/8), Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (34).
This defense could be a handful for McDaniels with Myles Garrett on the other side, Mason Graham on the inside, and Jim Schwartz sending the house on his blitzes.
Patriots result: Patriots win (6-2).
I do not feel good about this game, which goes into the toss-up category for me. Kevin Stefanski is a good coach and will figure out something at the QB position. But I'm going with the Patriots because of the inside information Vrabel gleaned last season as a Browns consultant.
Part II on Wednesday.
