The New England Patriots are several years removed from their run as an NFL powerhouse. Their GOAT quarterback left the team several years ago and is preparing for his broadcasting career. Their long-time head coach — often ranked with Vince Lombardi as the greatest of all-time — was dismissed at the conclusion of last season and was not hired by any other team
The Patriots go into the 2024 season with a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback. This is usually not the formula for a winning season and most expect the Patriots to finish in last place in the AFC East. However, head coach Jerod Mayo and quarterback Drake Maye don't care about anyone else's expectations. They will be attempting to return the Patriots to glory much sooner than most observers expect.
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick may be gone, but owner Robert Kraft wants this team to return to its winning ways — if not full-fledged glory — sooner rather than later. However, based on the team's skill and talent level as well as the schedule, it may be very difficult for that to happen in the 2024 season.
Some possibilities at the start of the season
The Patriots open the season with three road games in the first four weeks of the season. They go to Cincinnati to start the season against the Bengals before coming home to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week Two. Road games against the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers follow.
While that may be difficult, there is another more challenging schedule section looming.
It's unlikely that the Patriots will either beat or stay close to the Bengals or 49ers. However, they should be able to shang with the Seahawks and could come up with a victory in their first home game of the season. If Aaron Rodgers is healthy, beating the Jets at MetLife Stadium will be quite difficult. However, the Patriots have been quite successful against the Jets for many years, and they should at least have a chance at coming away with a win.
Patriots face crucial second quarter of season
Once the Patriots return from their Week 4 game against the 49ers, the Patriots come home for a four-game homestand. New England will host the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Jets for the second meeting of the season.
The Patriots are not likely to be favored in any of these games even though they are all at home unless the Jaguars and the Jets fall far beneath expectations.
However, when the Patriots play at home, their fans will have much higher expectations than when they go on the road. The explosive Dolphins have one of the most dangerous wide receiver crews in the NFL, so it will be up to the New England defense to keep the team in the game.
The Texans were a huge story last year as rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud turned out to be a game-changing star. The Texans not only won the AFC South in unexpected fashion, they also won a playoff game. Much more is expected from them in 2024. This is likely to be a major challenge for the Patriots.
Injuries derailed the Jaguars last year, but if quarterback Trevor Lawrence can stay healthy this season, he should give Jacksonville a big edge over the Pats.
If the Patriots were able to beat the Jets in the first meeting, it seems quite likely that Rodgers will attempt to drive a very motivated team as it attempts to split the season series. However, if the Jets won that first meeting, Mayo's team will have the motivation edge.
Schedule opens up in the second half of the season
After the Jets game, the Pats have back-to-back road games against the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears. Both have aspirations of improvement, but neither is guaranteed to have a winning record. The likelihood of Maye going up against Chicago rookie quarterback and No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams should lead to quite a bit of interest.
A home game against the Rams followed by a road game against the Dolphins will be major challenges. A home game against the Indianapolis Colts precedes the team's bye week.
The Patriots could be favored in Week 15 when they host the Arizona Cardinals. However, the Pats play the Buffalo Bills in two of the final three games of the regular season, with a home game against the Los Angeles Chargers sandwiched between those games.
Likely schedule ramifications
It's that second quarter of the season that is most critical. The hope for any team is to take advantage of all home games. Since they play four straight at home, there will be hope that they can put together a respectable run.
If they can win two of those games, the Patriots should be able to hold their heads high. If they can do better than that, the Patriots could turn out to be a major surprise in 2024.
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