New England Patriots: 4 bold predictions that will make 2022 unforgettable
4. New England Patriots will make the playoffs
You’ll hear a lot of hackney sayings about the 2022 New England Patriots: They’re not sneaking up on anyone this year. They’re not going to surprise anyone. Opponents will be ready for them. Yada, yada, yada.
Even with opponents well prepared for the Patriots, New England should still finish the regular season with nine or 10 wins.
First off, New England won’t get swept by the Miami Dolphins. At worst, they’ll split the season series, but it’s very possible the Patriots take both games. It’s not out of the question.
On the flip side, the Buffalo Bills could sweep the Patriots, if they want. Because the second game is the season finale, Buffalo might not have anything to play for and the coaches pull the starters from the game to protect them for the playoffs.
But this is a rivalry that’s getting bitter, so Buffalo could stick it to New England as a reminder of which team is the king of the conference.
The New York Jets are the Jets. Until they prove something, New England should sweep.
So at the very worst, New England goes 3-3 in the AFC East, with 4-2 a possibility.
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Like last season, the Patriots should take advantage of a soft middle of the schedule. They should go undefeated from weeks five through eight (Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Jets). The Indianapolis Colts should end the winning streak, but the Jets after a bye has “W” written all over it.
New England could have six or seven wins with seven games to go. Claiming three victories the rest of the way is very do-able.
If the Patriots finish with nine wins, they may need a little help via tie-breakers. That could come in the form of the very talented AFC West beating up on each other.
Even if New England doesn’t help their own cause by beating the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, the battle royal between the Kansas City Chiefs, the Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos and the Raiders could cost two rivals playoff spots.
All the while the Patriots are in the corner, surviving to advance to the next round.