Four Key Games For The Patriots In 2020

When Jarrett Stidham was looking like the starter, there were three key games I thought the Patriots needed to win to be in competition for the AFC and one game I thought they needed to guarentee the division. With Stidham, I had them losing all four and still finishing 10-6.

The one game I felt Stidham could get lucky on, which is why I gave him a ceiling of eleven wins, was November 15th, versus Baltimore. What made this game a coin flip was Belichick's defensive genius versus Harbaugh's stubbornness. If John didn't evolve his offense and Bill figured out the 2019 Blueprint, the Patriots could win.

The other games are week two versus Seattle, week four versus Kansas City, and week eleven versus Houston. The Patriots have players learning and adjusting to new roles and even the NFL. The Players have new people taking on leadership roles, Cajuste is now in the IR and Eluemumor is the projected starting right tackle.

Now all four of those games are a coin flip. They became a coin flip when Newton was signed. I have read the reports, the articles. Many people expect to see 2018 Cam Newton, from everything I've read, I'm expecting 2017 Cam Newton. Newton is inconsistent as f***. One game he can be Supercam and the next week he can be a turnover prone version of Tim Tebow.

Everyone knows the Patriots first month of the season is a continuation of the preseason. The Patriots didn't have four preseason games. They didn't get to practice against opposing teams during the preseason. So they're further behind. I am expecting all the way up to the 49ers game to be a preseason game for the Patriots. 

It's why I have them starting 3-3. It's why I expect the Patriots to be 4-6, and why I am projecting them to go on a six game run to close the season at 10-6.