Patriots game-by-game predictions after 2024 NFL schedule release

The Jets will be thrilled not to see Bill Belichick standing on the other side of the field for the Patriots. Belichick was 38-11 against the Jets as the Patriots head coach. Will Jerod Mayo continue the dominance, or does the departure of Belichick signal a new era in this rivalry? Take the Jets to end their 15-game losing streak in Mayo’s first crack at Belichick’s biggest rival.

LOSS

Week 4 @ San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are coming off another Super Bowl loss, and for the first time, there are some questions in San Francisco. It looked like a wide receiver would move out of their stacked room, but the team plans to keep all their guys. After drafting another wide receiver in the draft, it’s unclear what direction the 49ers are heading. However, they are still a much more talented team than the Patriots, and as long as it isn’t in the Super Bowl, Kyle Shanahan will outduel any head coach, especially a rookie.

LOSS

Week 5 vs. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins were the only AFC East team that succeeded against Bill Belichick, so you can assume that will continue against Jerod Mayo. If the Dolphins’ offense continues at the pace they played in 2023, the Patriots’ new-look offense will have trouble keeping up. (Switch if the road game is first)

LOSS

Week 6 vs. Houston Texans

The Texans could be the league’s newest Super Bowl contender during the 2024 season. CJ Stroud made a name for himself in his rookie year, showing that he has the potential to lead the Texans to big things. This game will preview as a matchup between two young quarterbacks, but as of this year, it’s doubtful that Maye will be up to defeating an MVP candidate in Stroud. 

LOSS

Week 7 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley Stadium) 

In a perfect world, for narrative’s sake, Mac Jones would play against the Patriots in this matchup. Luckily for Jones, it will be in Jacksonville, and barring an injury, he will probably be standing on the sideline wearing a headset. If Trevor Lawrence is under center, the Patriots will take another loss on the road. 

LOSS

Week 8 vs. New York Jets

The Jets haven’t swept the season series against the Patriots since the 2000 season. They have never had a better quarterback than the Patriots since Tom Brady was the starter for most of those games. It will be the Jets’ best chance to sweep the season series, as Aaron Rodgers should dominate the matchup with rookie Drake Maye.

LOSS

Week 9 @ Tennessee Titans

Patriots and Titans games used to have extra juice with the friendly rivalry between Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel. Jerod Mayo vs. Brian Callahan doesn’t have the same excitement surrounding it, but the results from last season will likely be the same.

LOSS

Week 10 @ Chicago Bears

No.1 vs No.3 in the 2024 NFL Draft will occur at Solider Field. It will be the first opportunity for Drake Maye to prove he is the best quarterback to come out of the draft, as the Patriots won’t play against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders this season.

LOSS

Week 11 vs. Los Angeles Rams

The Patriots will host the Rams in a rematch of the 2019 Super Bowl. The quarterbacks are changed, Bill Belichick is gone, and the Rams have won a Super Bowl since that Patriots victory. A lot has changed in the Patriots world, and the Rams should get revenge for that Super Bowl loss.

LOSS

Week 12 @ Miami Dolphins

Drake Maye will be more experienced when the Patriots and Dolphins meet for the second time, which could help him keep up with Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ offense. This game will be closer than the first one, but it’s still likely that Miami will sweep the season series.

LOSS

Week 13 vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Patriots and Colts took part in a snoozer of a game when they faced off in 2023. Gardiner Minshew was the starting quarterback since Anthony Richardson was out for the year with an injury, but Minshew managed to beat Mac Jones 10-6. Anthony Richardson will play in this game, barring another injury, and if he doesn’t, Joe Flacco is the man in waiting. We saw what Flacco can do in relief when he led the Browns to the playoffs last season, so whichever quarterback is playing will be able to shred the Patriots.

LOSS

Week 14 Bye

Week 15 @ Arizona Cardinals

Many fans wanted the Patriots to take Marvin Harrison Jr with the third-overall pick in the draft. However, the Patriots couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a possible franchise quarterback. The backlash will be legendary if Harrison Jr torches the Patriots in this game. However, this is one of the few games on the schedule that the Patriots can win.

WIN

Week 16 @ Buffalo Bills

We predict later that the Bills will suffer a trap game loss on the road at Gillette Stadium, but the Patriots won’t sweep the season series against the Bills. It’s safe to assume that the Bills will at least split the season series.

LOSS

Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Harbaugh’s new-look squad will visit Gillette Stadium for a mid-season matchup. The Chargers will have a completely different look than we are used to, and it’s hard to predict how they will perform this season without seeing the changes Harbaugh made. However, the Chargers win the coaching and talent matchup, putting them in a position to get the win.

LOSS 

Week 18 vs. Buffalo Bills

The Bills have one of the most challenging schedules in the NFL for this upcoming season. Traveling to Gilette Stadium used to be another roadblock in Buffalo’s schedule, but their two games against the Patriots this season will be some of their easiest matchups. The Bills may take the Patriots lightly and suffer a loss here, especially if they already have the AFC East wrapped up. 

WIN

Patriots Record Prediction: 3-14