New England Patriots: Redoing team’s 2021 game-by-game predictions

We are officially a week away from the start of the New England Patriots regular season action. By this time next week, we will all be getting ready to watch Mac Jones and the Pats kick off their regular season schedule against the Miami Dolphins. The hope is that the Patriots can put together a much better season than they did last year.

The recent announcement of Jones as the Patriots starting quarterback has completely changed the trajectory of this season. Where the offense seemed like it may be a bit handicapped with presumed starter Cam Newton under center, Jones natural fit into the offense will hopefully open things up this season.

With Jones now under center rather than Newton, it seems like a good time to revisit the Patriots schedule and see how this team stacks up against their opponents in the 17 contests they have this season. We already took part in this exercise a few months ago right after the NFL Draft, but so much has happened since then that it warrants another look now that we are closer to the start of the season.

Jones elevation to starter is just the beginning. Around the NFL there have been numerous new developments as well that have added exciting new wrinkles to each matchup on the regular season schedule. So with that being said, let’s run through the Patriots 2021 schedule and redo our predictions for each game they are set to play.

Week 1: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins, Sept 12, 4:25 PM

Despite some rumors picking up recently that Miami was eyeing a trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, they are set to roll into the season with second year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under center. Tagovailoa struggled with consistency last season, and it’s fair to assume that may happen again this time around. The Dolphins also boast a solid defense that could give Jones some trouble in his first start, but it won’t prevent the Pats from kicking things off with a victory in this one. Patriots: 20 Dolphins: 12

Week 2: @ New York Jets, Sept. 19, 1:00 PM

It will be a battle of two rookie quarterbacks in Week 2 action, as the Pats head up to New York to take on the second overall pick Zach Wilson and the Jets. Wilson was impressive during preseason action, and has given Jets fans a level of excitement they haven’t had in awhile. Despite that, the rest of the Jets roster isn’t at good as New England’s, and the Pats should be able to coast to victory in this one. Patriots: 27 Jets: 13

Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sept. 26, 1:00 PM

The tenor of this matchup has drastically changed since we last discussed it. Jameis Winston has been appointed the Saints new starting quarterback over Taysom Hill, and Michael Thomas will be missing in action in this contest. This one will most likely come down to the performance of Winston, who has been notoriously streaky throughout his career. Thomas being out swings the pendulum in favor of New England, who just squeak by with their third straight win. Patriots: 23 Saints: 21

Week 4: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oct. 3, 8:20 PM 

One of the most anticipated games on the NFL calendar this season becomes even more exciting with New England undefeated after the first three weeks of action. It will be interesting to see if head coach Bill Belichick can devise a gameplan to slow down old friend Tom Brady and the Bucs offense. While he does a good job at this, the offense falters, and Tampa Bay hands New England their first loss of the season. Buccaneers: 16 Patriots: 9