Warning: Last year when our staff made our predictions for the Patriots record, our guesses ranged from 8-9 (most of us) to one optimistic 12-5. New England of course finished 4-13. So keep that in mind before letting any of this influence any wagering decisions.
We aren’t nearly as optimistic this time around. He’s how we think the Patriots will fare and how the NFL playoffs fields will shake out.
What will the Patriots’ record be?
Mark Daniels, Patriots beat writer
4-13 — It can’t get worse, right? The Patriots are at the beginning stages of a rebuild. They’re a young team without much elite talent. They should have solid defense. The hope is that their offense is better than 2023 (finished tied for last in scoring). They have a tough schedule and it’s hard to envision a winning season.
Chris Mason, Patriots beat writer
4-13 — The Patriots finish last in the AFC East once again, but it won’t be as painful as 2023 because Drake Maye looks like he can play. The No. 3 overall pick finishes the season strong and Ja’Lynn Polk proves to be a savvy second-round selection. There are plenty of speed bumps along the way though for Jerod Mayo’s group though; with growth comes growing pains.
6-11 — This is a tad optimistic given the toughness of the schedule, lack of overall talent, and newness of coaching staff. Assuming Drake Maye gets in at some point, they’ll get some juice and be able to pull off a few more wins than expected.
3-14 — It’s going to get interesting late in the year when the No. 1 overall pick is potentially in reach, but Drake Maye is making positive steps at quarterback. Improving with Maye helps the future. Getting a high draft pick (probably to trade to someone who needs a QB) helps the future. How much should they be trying to win? The fact that tanking is already in the discussion in September is a bad sign.
4-13 — At this point, the identity of the quarterback is almost irrelevant: the 2024 Patriots are in for a long season no matter who’s under center. A porous offensive line and a lack of weapons at the skill positions are far bigger issues.
Nick O’Malley, Senior producer
7-10 — Looking at the schedule, I think this season could have a brutal start — I’m talking 2-6, 1-7 or even 0-8. However, I think this team will start to really come together down the stretch (right when the schedule gets easier) and rattle off some wins to generate some optimism.
Lauren Campbell, Sports reporter
3-14 — The Patriots have a lot of questions going into the season. The offensive line didn’t look good in the preseason and it’s unclear just how healthy Jacoby Brissett is after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason finale. There’s plenty of defensive upside, which might be the bright spot for the Patriots this year, the offense is too big a question mark.
Jim Pignatiello, Sports director
2-15 — I don’t think we’ve all come to grips with just how bad this team is going to be in 2024. The defense will be good but not great and this could be an historically bad offensive year. I have them beating the Titans – and don’t feel great about that – and figure Drake Maye will pull off one upset down the stretch.
AFC Division Winners
Daniels: Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chiefs
Mason: Bills, Ravens, Texans, Chiefs
Guregian: Dolphins, Ravens, Texans, Chiefs
Vautour: Bills, Bengals, Texans, Chiefs
McAdam: Bills, Browns, Jaguars, Chiefs
O’Malley: Dolphins, Ravens, Jaguars, Chiefs
Campbell: Dolphins, Ravens, Texans, Chiefs
Pignatiello: Jets, Browns, Texans, Chiefs
AFC Wild Cards
Daniels: Bengals, Jets, Jaguars
Mason: Dolphins, Bengals, Chargers
Guregian: Bills, Bengals, Jets
Vautour: Dolphins, Ravens, Chargers
McAdam: Cincinnati, Baltimore, Jets
O’Malley: Jets, Bengals, Chargers
Campbell: Bengals, Jaguars, Jets
Pignatiello: Bills, Ravens, Jaguars
AFC Championship Game
Daniels: Chiefs over Ravens
Mason: Bills over Ravens
Guregian: Bengals over Chiefs
Vautour: Bills over Bengals
McAdam: Chiefs over Jets
O’Malley: Bengals over Chiefs
Campbell: Chiefs over Texans
Pignatiello: Chiefs over Jets
NFC Division Winners
Daniels: Eagles, Lions, Falcons, 49ers
Mason: Cowboys, Packers, Falcons, 49ers
Guregian: Eagles, Lions, Falcons, 49ers
Vautour: Eagles, Lions, Falcons, 49ers
McAdam: Eagles, Packers, Falcons, 49ers
O’Malley: Eagles, 49ers, Lions, Buccaneers
Campbell: Eagles, Lions, Falcons, 49ers
Pignatiello: Cowboys, 49ers, Packers, Falcons
NFC Wild Cards
Daniels: Cowboys, Packers, Rams
Mason: Eagles, Lions, Rams
Guregian: Cowboys, Packers, Rams
Vautour: Packers, Cowboys, Bears
McAdam: Rams, Bears, Lions
O’Malley: Cowboys, Falcons, Bears
Campbell: Cowboys, Packers, Rams
Pignatiello: Lions, Seahawks, Rams
NFC Championship Game
Daniels: Lions over 49ers
Mason: 49ers over Packers
Guregian: Rams over 49ers
Vautour: Lions over 49ers
McAdam: Packers over 49ers
O’Malley: Lions over Eagles
Campbell: 49ers over Lions
Pignatiello: Packers over 49ers
Super Bowl LVIII
Daniels: Chiefs over Lions
Mason: 49ers over Bills
Guregian: Bengals over Rams
Vautour: Lions over Bills
McAdam: Packers over Chiefs
O’Malley: Lions over Bengals
Campbell: 49ers over Chiefs
Pignatiello: Chiefs over Packers
