New England Patriots 2020 schedule predictions: Picking every game

Overall Record: 9-7

Home Record: 5-3

Away Record: 4-4

The loss of Tom Brady looms large to New England here, which will lose more games that they usually win in the past. These projections could change if they get solid quarterback play from Jarrett Stidham, but on paper the Patriots no longer have the most talented roster in their own division.

That distinction belongs to the Buffalo Bills, who should take advantage of that talent advantage to win the division for the first time since 1995. New England’s 9-7 record should be good enough to factor into the wild card picture, especially since the NFL is adding an extra playoff team in 2020, but that will come down to tiebreakers.

Bill Belichick is more than up to the challenge of trying to win without Brady and Patriots’ fans can easily point to the 11-5 record New England put up when Brady missed the 2008 season with a knee injury. It is important to note, however, that Matt Cassel was working with the core of the 2007 Patriots’ team that nearly completed an undefeated season.

This Pats’ roster is still very flawed and lacking talent at the skill positions. Brady was able to mask a significant number of those weaknesses a year ago, but with his departure New England is clearly a more average football team than they have been for a long time.