This season, the New England Patriots success will be a matter of perspective. It is all about expectations. There will be something for everyone to love or hate. If you love watching football and the greatest coach in history but have no expectations, this is your year!
Fans who expect the Patriots to win the Super Bowl this year may be disappointed. Things can change quickly in the NFL via trade or injury, but the current picture does not look good. DraftKings has the Patriots at +5000 (50-1) to win it all. There are 19 teams with much better odds of winning. Sadly, the Pats are at the same odds as the Cleveland Browns without Deshaun Watson.
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A Logical Perspective For Weighing New England Patriots Success
It may be a tough season for fans who expect the Patriots to improve on last year’s success and win a playoff game. Logically, it makes sense that they should improve, considering they made the playoffs last year with a rookie quarterback. However, they no longer have J.C. Jackson, Shaq Mason, Ted Karras, Kyle Van Noy, or Josh McDaniels. Those are all very significant losses. Even the addition of DeVante Parker is not enough to offset those losses, and they are not likely to make the playoffs as of now.
In the Hunt
This season will be enjoyable for fans who are satisfied to see the Patriots make the playoffs. They should be in the hunt all season. However, the oddsmakers have the Patriots at +160 to miss the playoffs. That means they are so confident that the Patriots will miss the playoffs that for every dollar you bet, they will pay you back $2.60.
The oddsmakers are not always right, but they make a well-educated projection. Looking at odds is a great way to gain perspective on the big picture around the league. That big picture is working against the Patriots. Their schedule is demanding, the division is more challenging, and the conference is stacked. Yet, who wants to bet against Bill Belichick?
A Patient Perspective
Some long-time Patriots fans have a more patient perspective; they want to see Mac Jones take a big step forward. Those fans are content with the notion that the Patriots are not Super Bowl contenders this year, but they are building something. In the back of their mind, they hope for a magical season like 2001. Therefore, they should be able to enjoy the season and appreciate football. Unfortunately for those fans and Jones, his development is in question.
Jones has been visibly frustrated all preseason long. Losing Mason and Karras up front and his offensive coordinator is a major setback. He now looks skittish in the pocket and could be seeing ghosts. It will take some time for this new offense line to gel and Jones to get comfortable. He needs better protection so he can step into his throws and get some zip on them. The whole season could hinge on the offensive line.
Mac Jones what you doing? 👀 pic.twitter.com/WhtOxpzDdW
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) August 27, 2022
Jones could progress quicker if Belichick brought in another offensive coordinator familiar with the system or anyone who has coached offense before. It is still unclear who the de facto offensive coordinator is, but it will likely be Matt Patricia. Considering what Joe Judge did with Daniel Jones in New York and what Patricia did in Detroit, it does not inspire confidence. However, they did not have Belichick by their side.
