NFL schedule 2020: Biggest game for all 32 teams

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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Julian Edelman, New England Patriots. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

New England Patriots: vs. San Francisco 49ers

It is certainly a strange new world for the New England Patriots, who will be entering a season without Tom Brady on the roster for the first time since 1999. At the moment it looks as if Jarrett Stidham will be New England’s Opening Day starter, which is a far cry from having a six-time Super Bowl champion under center.

It looked like the Patriots would be well-positioned for a seventh ring last season when they started 8-0, but everything fell apart in the second half. The New England offense stalled and the defense came back to Earth, culminating in the Patriots’ shocking loss to the Tennessee Titans in the wild card round.

The loss of Brady was not the only significant defection for New England, which also lost Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, and Danny Shelton in free agency. The Patriots also have yet to address their deficiencies at the skill positions, making life hard for whoever is under center next season.

There was a solid succession plan for New England at one point when Jimmy Garoppolo was being groomed to replace Brady, whose late-career renaissance changed things. Bill Belichick ended up sending Garoppolo out west to San Francisco and he helped lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl last season.

Garoppolo is coming back to New England this season in a game the Patriots need to win to justify the choice they made. The Patriots did win another ring after Garoppolo was dealt but fans will wonder how many more titles they could have if Garoppolo was taking over for Brady instead of Stidham.

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