3 bold predictions for Patriots 2022 season

New England Patriots bold predictions: NE will miss the playoffs

Look, Bill Belichick is a master of playing the media, so who knows how much of this offseason has been real, and who knows how much of it is straight out of The Rehearsal on HBO? But from what we’ve heard in press conferences this year, the Patriots have no clue what they’re doing this season, and they aren’t even trying to make it look like they do.

Belichick has refused to name an offensive or defensive coordinator and has instead gone forward with a bizarre committee-like, “we’ll figure it out as we go” kind of approach that sounds more like they’re stuck in between absolute chaos and a well-defined game plan.

Belichick has earned the benefit of the doubt as the third-most winningest coach of all time behind Don Shula and George Halas, but it’s impossible to not look at what has transpired so far this season with some skepticism.

Furthermore, other members of the coaching staff don’t even seem to be taking the preseason preparation opportunity seriously. Joe Judge (aptly titled an “offensive assistant” instead of coordinator) admitted the Pats aren’t doing any scheming whatsoever for the preseason and sound mighty proud of it.

It almost looks as if the Patriots are trying to go full-on, no-rules Netflix working style with their football strategy, allowing players to communicate upward and contribute to the playbook as well.

Maybe the diffusion of power, lack of job titles, and flexible working strategy will work out for the Patriots coaching staff, but it sure is a diversion from the norm of what winning football teams do. Let’s remember, this team is also quite young, so a lack of structure just feels like a recipe for disaster.

For those reasons, expect a mediocre season and an absence from the postseason.