It’s been nearly a month since the NFL schedule was
released, and analysts all over have been writing up their predictions for each
team. Even before the NFL Draft, some of the most distinguished journalists
already had the season in the books and were merely waiting for the games to be
played. I can’t help but feel as though many of these writers jumped the gun
and perhaps overlooked some key factors.
I decided to take an unconventional approach and sit on my
predictions. I had initially planned to write this entry immediately following
the NFL Draft. Even then, I felt as though I needed to see a bit more from the
Patriots in order to determine where they are headed this year.
The official New England Patriots schedule is courtesy of
patriots.com, and is available here.
Week 1: at Tennessee
Titans. Sunday, Sept. 9. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.
While it’s not the Sunday night or Monday night headliner
one would expect for a defending AFC Champion team, the Patriots do have a
rather lax matchup coming out of the gate. This game was a tad bit more
interesting before the NFL Draft, but with the acquisitions of first-round
studs Chandler Jones and Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots’ defense as a unit
should stifle any fighting chance the Titans may have. Ultimately, Tennessee’s
lack of a game-changer on offense will be their downfall.
Prediction: Patriots
28, Titans 14. (1-0)
Week 2: vs. Arizona
Cardinals. Sunday, Sept. 16. 1:00 p.m. ET. FOX.
This one just seems like a gimme, doesn’t it? Arizona hasn’t
been much of a threat at all despite reaching Super Bowl XLIII in the 2008
season. Alas, I can assure you that this game will be much closer than what the
numbers will tell us today. Two words: Larry Fitzgerald. This guy could have
Ryan Leaf chucking up lame ducks all season, and he’d still find a way to pull
in 90/1,500/10 by Week 17. If that’s not bad enough, the Cardinals drafted WR Michael
Floyd with the 13th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. Even if
he is just an above-average wideout, Fitzgerald should be occupying at least 2
defenders all day, allowing Floyd to be open on many key plays. Hell, even
Early Doucet has developed into a solid 3rd option receiver, and
could prove to be vital to Arizona’s gameplan. Despite the threats Arizona’s
defense possesses, New England walks away from this one holding their
collective breath.
Prediction: Patriots
31, Cardinals 24. (2-0)
Week 3: at Baltimore.
Sunday, Sept. 23. 8:20 p.m. ET. NBC
Ah, yes. Or should I say, ‘Oh, no’? We knew they’d be back.
They knew it too. It’s scary to think of what may unfold on this particular
night. You can be assured that there will be no bounties necessary, as this
Baltimore Ravens squad is so pissed at how their season ended – side note: I can remember walking out of my
building screaming “Woo! Cundiff!” in the moments following the kicker’s monumental
collapse in the AFC Championship game; Great times. - and will be ready to punch this Patriots
team square in the jaw. They won’t get slaughtered, they won’t be shutout, but
there is no such thing as a good loss. Thus, this team will take it’s first
loss of the 2012 season on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Mark it down: the
Ravens will win on a late touchdown – perhaps poetic retribution for the way
their 2011 playoff run ended.
Prediction: Ravens 28,
Patriots 26. (2-1)
Week 4: at Buffalo.
Sunday, Sept. 30. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.
In the Patriots first rivalry game of the 2012 season, the
team will travel to Orchard Park, NY to take on the Buffalo Bills. While I
strongly believe that New England walks away victorious in this one, it’s
important to note that these aren’t your father’s Buffalo Bills. Something has
changed in this squad over the past 12 months or so. Maybe it’s QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s
new-found pocket presence. Maybe it’s the way they stacked their front seven on
defense by signing DE’s Mario Williams and former Patriot Mark Anderson this
offseason. Perhaps it’s the lift that WR Stevie Johnson brings to the receiver’s
unit. Johnson has the uncanny ability to occupy defenders in such a way that
allows fellow receiver David Nelson to find passes in the slot. While Johnson
doesn’t have the numbers to prove it, he brings to the Bills offense what many
analysts have dubbed the “Moss Effect”. That is, the mere threat that Johnson
brings to the game is enough to pull opposing defenses’ focus away from other weapons
in the unit - namely, Fred Jackson and David Nelson. Despite the Bills’ prolific
receiving corps and the frightening defensive line, Brady & the Pats will
not let this one get out of hand as it did last September. Patriots roll.
Prediction: Patriots
24, Bills 14. (3-1)
Week 5: vs. Denver
Broncos. Sunday, Oct. 9. 4:15 p.m. ET. CBS.
Sunday, October the 9th marks not the beginning
of a new chapter, but a whole new book in the storied Brady-Manning rivalry. Hold your horses – this one won’t be your
classic shootout that we’ve seen in years’ past. Peyton Manning’s move from the
Indianapolis Colts to the Denver Broncos has him sitting atop the saddle of a
whole new stallion. Despite Manning’s efforts to thwart Brady’s success at
home, the Broncos will be unable to buck the trend of the Patriots posting over
40 points against one of the better defenses in the league. Patriots roll, and
Brady rides off into the sunset in a brand-new Mustang. …If you use one pun,
you’ve got to use them all.
Prediction: Patriots
42, Broncos 24. (4-1)
Week 6: at Seattle
Seahawks. Sunday, Oct. 14. 4:05 p.m. ET. CBS.
For the Patriots’ lone west-coast trip, they travel to
arguably the toughest NFL stadium for visiting teams: CenturyLink Field in
Seattle. As home of the 12th man, Seattle fans come out in droves to
not only support their home team, but to make as much noise as humanly possible.
In 2011, the stadium noise and energy following Marshawn Lynch’s 67-yard
touchdown run vs. the New Orleans Saints was enough to generate a literal
earthquake that registered at a seismic monitoring station in Seattle. Throw QB
Matt Flynn into the mix, and we’re talking about an incredibly tough challenge.
After a 5 touchdowns and over 400 yards in the 2011 season finale, Flynn has
proved that he is ready to take the NFL by storm. Seattle will escape narrowly
on the shoulders of Matt Flynn.
Prediction: Seahawks
31, Patriots 28. (4-2)
Week 7: vs. New York
Jets. Sunday, Oct. 21. 4:15 p.m. ET. CBS.
Finally. This is the matchup all Patriots fans love to see. Anytime
Rex Ryan and his band of thugs come into town, it proves to be a circus of
entertainment. The 2012 Jets are panning out to be more of a sitcom than an NFL
football team. This week doesn’t really deserve any in-depth analysis - as it’s
going to be your run-of-the-mill blowout – but there’s this cynical part of me
that really enjoys talking trash about the Jets. For one, you’ve got great
uncertainty at the Quarterback position. You have DB Darrelle Revis holding out
for a better contract for the 2nd time in 3 years. Meanwhile,
Santonio Holmes, who is seen as a team leader by the NFL community, has the
capacity to blow up the entire locker room all on his lonesome. – side note: notice it’s been 7 sentences, and
I haven’t mentioned HIM at all. – This week is almost too easy. Patriots
will once again silence that really annoying noise coming from the New Jersey
area.
Prediction: Patriots
35, Jets 10. (5-2)
Week 8: at St. Louis
Rams (London). Sunday, Oct. 28. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.
The Patriots travel to historic Wembley Stadium in jolly ‘ole
London, England to take on the St.Louis Rams. The last time the Patriots were there,
in 2009, they laid an absolute licking on the down-and-out Tampa Bay Buccaneers,
winning that matchup 35-7. New England will take Old England by storm once
again, easily handling soon-to-be-bust Sam Bradford. While the Rams’ defense
has made many improvements this offseason, due in large part to new Head Coach
Jeff Fisher, the multi-faceted receiving corps will be far too much for the
Rams to handle. Patriots take this one like the Colonial Army took New England
from the Kingdom.
Prediction: Patriots
34, Rams 17. (6-2)
Week 9: BYE WEEK. Sunday,
Nov. 4.
You can expect all to be quiet on the Patriots front. You
can also expect to find me aimlessly wandering the streets in search of a
purpose until November 11th.
Prediction: After 3
days, I go crazy and consider following the Boston Celtics before the NFL
season actually concludes.
Week 10: vs. Buffalo
Bills. Sunday, Nov. 11. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.
The second half of the Patriots’ 2012 campaign is officially
underway. Historically, New England has enjoyed great success down the stretch
in years’ past, and this season will be no different. The Buffalo Bills come to
town for their second and final matchup with the Patriots for 2012, and will
ultimately walk away empty-handed. After coming up short at home, the Bills
will not be able to work past a Patriots defense that, by this time, has grown
into itself. Wilfork & Co. will stifle Fitzpatrick’s attempts at being a
relevant NFL Quarterback.
Prediction: Patriots
30, Bills 13. (7-2)
Week 11: vs.
Indianapolis Colts. Sunday, Nov. 18. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.
After Colts owner Jim Irsay took it upon himself to gut the
entire organization from the front office to the players, the Patriots welcome
the new-look Indianapolis Colts into town. With QB Andrew Luck at the helm,
this proves to be a rather intriguing matchup. The number 1 overall selection
in the 2012 NFL Draft has conducted himself in a Manning-like manner –
promoting hard work, and quickly taking on a leadership role. Despite Andrew’s
skills, as well as his will to win at the next level, there will be no luck at
Gillette on this day. The brutal truth is that rookies make rookie mistakes.
Period. Patriots take this one to the bank.
Prediction: Patriots
31, Colts 20. (8-2)
Week 12: at New York
Jets. Thursday, Nov. 22. (Thanksgiving).
8:20 p.m. ET. NBC.
Tebow. There, I said it. I’m going on record as saying that
Tim Tebow will be the New York Jets starting Quarterback by this week. Why, you
ask? Because, New York. New York is a tough media market to compete in, and an
even tougher market to lose in. I firmly believe that Rex Ryan is on the hot
seat in 2012, and will be fighting for his job. After sending multiple draft
picks to acquire Tim Tebow, Ryan will be taking a lot of heat. Furthermore, you
can expect Mark Sanchez to continue his lackluster play from last year, and
that alone will push the front office to start Timmy at QB. This pretty much
translates to another one in the ‘W’ column for New England, as it has for the
past two contests vs. Tim Tebow. I fell that he will complete only 10-12 passes
– a few of them to the New England defense – and will be sacked 4 times. Patriots
sweep the Jets in ’12.
Prediction: Patriots
38, Jets 20. (9-2)
Week 13: at Miami
Dolphins. Sunday, Dec. 2. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.
The Patriots continue their AFC East road trip with a visit
to Sun Life Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins. Every year, the Patriots
have one game that just gets away from them, and it’s usually the one that seems
to be the least threatening. In 2010, it was against the Cleveland Browns on
the road. Last year, it was in Orchard Park against the Buffalo Bills. This year,
the Patriots will hit a bump in the road against the Miami Dolphins. I hate to
say it, but I think Miami will be the better team on this day. As innocent as
they may seem, the Miami Dolphins will narrowly escape with one of just a
couple of wins in 2012.
Prediction: Dolphins
24. Patriots 21. (9-3)
Week 14: vs. Houston
Texans. Monday, Dec. 10. 8:20 p.m. ET. ESPN.
At this point in the season, Patriots fans are used to
tuning into the second Monday night game of the year. Unconventionally, the
matchup against the Texans is New England’s lone appearance on ESPN’s Monday
Night Football. Look at it this way: it’s one less game that we have to listen
to Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski talk about the good ‘ole days. The Monday night
showdown against the Houston Texans will be a great barometer to evaluate just
where the Patriots are at in this point of the season. The Texans will be a
tough challenger, but the home-cooking will bode well for Gillette’s finest.
Texans’ WR Andre Johnson will undoubtedly torch the secondary for a score,
maybe two, and the defense will give Brady & Co. some trouble, but the
Patriots will walk away from this one victorious.
Prediction: Patriots
28, Texans 24. (10-3)
Week 15: vs. San
Francisco 49ers. Sunday, Dec. 16. 8:20 p.m. ET. NBC.
Week 15 will prove to be an epic showdown of arguably the
two best teams of their respective conferences from 2011. Furthermore, the personnel
on the 49ers’ squad make this matchup all the more interesting. Former Patriot
wideout Randy Moss has come out of retirement to join the 49ers’ receiving corps
and pursue the elusive Super Bowl ring. In addition, the Patriots will be
haunted by former Giants Mario Mannningham and Brandon Jacobs, as they both
singed with San Francisco this offseason following their victory of the
Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. – side note:
That was incredibly difficult to type out, by the way. – Getting down to
brass tacks, The Patriots have a better team. They have a better quarterback, a
more prolific passing game, and a defense that can go punch-for-punch with the
likes of San Francisco. New England will struggle with stopping the run, but
that’s about all they will struggle with. Patriots roll, and perhaps clinch a
playoff berth in the process.
Prediction: Patriots
27, 49ers 16. (11-3)
Week 16: at
Jacksonville Jaguars. Sunday, Dec. 23. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have quietly improved over the
2011-2012 offseason. With the acquisition of QB Chad Henne and WR’s Laurent
Robinson and Lee Evans, they may have something going for them. Factor in RB
Maurice Jones-Drew, and you have yourself a pretty solid offense if you can
keep Chad Henne upright. The Patriots will not keep Chad Henne upright. New
England has had much success rattling Henne’s cage twice a year when he played
just three hours south of Jacksonville for the Miami Dolphins. With a revamped
defensive line and linebackers unit, you can expect more of the same from this
team.
Prediction: Patriots
35, Jaguars 10. (12-3)
Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins.
Sunday, Dec. 30. 1:00 p.m. ET. CBS.
The Patriots round out their 2012 campaign at home against
the division rival Miami Dolphins. I wish I had something witty to add here,
but it will pretty much be a textbook victory for New England. Head Coach Bill
Belichick will spend the week diligently working to correct the mistakes of the
Patriots’ loss in Week 13, and will storm the Miami Dolphins with an offensive
attack that will put their miserable 2012 season to rest. Patriots roll, and
begin preparations for the 2012 playoffs.
Prediction: Patriots
30, Miami 10. (13-3)
The Patriots 2012 season should pan out with very few
surprises, as they are expected to return to form and continue their dominance
of the AFC. If you’ve stuck around and read this entire post, Thank you! Now,
GO OUTSIDE.
