It’s a different time for the New England Patriots. The glorious two-decade NFL reign under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady has faded, and this season’s odds don’t look promising. With other teams in the division appearing much stronger on paper, let’s not kid ourselves into thinking the Patriots are likely contenders for the Super Bowl, the AFC Championship, or even the AFC East. The team’s projected win total stands at 7.5, and the question becomes, can they exceed that?
One might wonder how a first-ballot Hall of Fame coach like Belichick fits into this less impressive squad.