12th Man Rising
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Seahawks week two: 5 things to know about the Patriots

By Lee Vowell

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Doug Baldwin #89 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter of a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01 : Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks drops back to pass against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLIX February 1, 2015 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots won the game 28-24. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01 : Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks drops back to pass against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XLIX February 1, 2015 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots won the game 28-24. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Hopes for the Patriots in 2020

(Note: Once again I would like to thank Adam Weinrib of Musket Fire for answering some questions about the Seahawks and Patriots matchup on Sunday.)

12th Man Rising: What are your hopes for the Patriots in 2020? How good can they be and can they win the Super Bowl (again)?

Adam Weinrib: Don’t forget, the Patriots statistically have the hardest schedule in the NFL. After years of the world complaining about their annual cakewalks, the Pats haters have gotten what they wanted: roster turmoil and a 2020 slate that features the Seahawks, 49ers, Chiefs, Rams, Ravens, Texans and Bills (twice). Not good!

An overly optimistic expectation for New England would be a division title and a trip to the AFC Championship Game. That would mean the Pats need to win at least 10 games since the Bills have a gauntlet of a schedule of their own (Rams, Titans, Chiefs, 49ers, Seahawks, Steelers). If Newton and Belichick can get the job done in all of their winnable games, they’ll be in a really good position to get a favorable matchup in the first round of the playoffs and take it from there.

Sadly, I don’t think this edition of the Patriots can win the Super Bowl unless a string of unforeseen injuries were to occur and pave the way. The Chiefs are simply too good and experienced almost no roster turnover. The Ravens are out for blood after blowing it to the Titans in the playoffs last year. The Steelers appear to be back. You’ll probably have to beat two out of those three teams in order to get to the SB.

Next. Seahawks versus Patriots: Staff predictions!. dark

The Patriots are undergoing a transformation on offense: they don’t have their starting right tackle and are without a competent receiving corps. The defense will always be good, but it doesn’t look like it’ll be its usual dominant self following the losses of Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Patrick Chung, Dont’a Hightower, and others. We’re looking at a fun year for the Patriots for sure, but fans would be sadly mistaken if they’re expecting a title at the end of this one.

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