FOXBOROUGH – Football is officially back and Sunday marks a new era in Patriots franchise history.
Jerod Mayo is at the helm when the Patriots take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in their regular-season opener. This marks the first game for the new Patriots head coach. Although expectations aren’t high, Mayo and the Patriots head into this season looking to improve upon last year’s 4-13 record.
Along with Mayo, the Patriots offense and defense is also under new leadership with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington.
For Mayo, life won’t be easy this fall. The Patriots first opponent, the Bengals, is filled with talented offensive players. Cincinnati is expected to be a playoff team in 2024 while the Patriots are in the beginning stages of a rebuild.
Here are five things to watch when the Patriots take on the Bengals:
Here’s a wild thought – Brissett has a chance to be the Patriots best-starting quarterback since Tom Brady.
All he needs to do is be better than Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, and Cam Newton. It’s not a crazy thought.
In 2022, Brissett started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns and their offensive coordinator, Van Pelt. He threw for 2,608 yards to go with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Browns won four games (as many as the Patriots in 2023).
The 31-year-old has been fighting his entire career to show everyone he’s a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. Now, with rookie Drake Maye on the sideline, he has his chance. This is a big opportunity for Brissett.
Heading into this season, the biggest concern for the Patriots is their offensive line. Coaches mixed and matched players throughout training camp. The little amount of continuity is concerning.
If we had to guess, Michael Onwenu (right tackle) and Chuks Okorafor (left tackle) start on the outside. David Andrews (center) and Layden Robinson (right guard) will be in the interior. Projected starting left guard Sidy Sow is out with an ankle injury. The Patriots will replace Sow with Nick Leverett or Michael Jordan, who’s on the practice squad.
The Patriots offensive line has to be better than they were in the preseason and joint practices against the Philadelphia Eagles. This will be one of the biggest storylines to start this season.
It can’t get any worse, right?
In 2023, the Patriots finished tied for last (with the New York Giants) in scoring, averaging a paltry 13.9 points per game. In 2022, the Patriots finished 17th in the NFL, averaging 21.4 points per game.
This season marks the Patriots third straight with a new offensive coordinator. Van Pelt replaced Bill O’Brien, who replaced Matt Patricia, who replaced Josh McDaniels. Under Van Pelt, the Patriots will operate a West Coast system. That should look much different compared to what everyone saw over the last two decades.
This offseason will be run-heavy, focusing on a zone scheme. It should benefit running back Rhamondre Stevenson. Tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hopper should also benefit from Van Pelt’s system.
This season is all about watching young players develop.
The Patriots enter Sunday with 19 players in their first or second NFL season. They’ll bring 10 rookies to Cincinnati after their entire eight-player draft class made the 53-man roster. They also have two undrafted free agents in safety Dell Pettus and linebacker Curtis Jacobs.
This year was the first time the Patriots entire rookie class made the active roster since 2013. It’ll be fascinating to see which young players rise and who looks like a future cornerstone.
Two rookies who should play immediately are receiver Ja’Lynn Polk and guard Layden Robinson. The Patriots expect big things from second-year players such as cornerback Christian Gonzalez, receiver DeMario ‘Pop’ Douglas, and defensive lineman Keion White.
The Patriots will face a laundry list of elite receivers this season. This Week 1 matchup has the chance to be a solid litmus test for the Patriots secondary. Led by receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals have two of the best receivers in the NFL.
Although it remains to be seen if Chase and Higgins play (both were limited this week in practice), this game will be a good test for the Patriots defense – especially the cornerbacks. After this, the Patriots will see standout receivers D.K. Metcalf, Garrett Wilson, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell in the first six weeks.
Prediction: Bengals 23, Patriots 17
