CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 08: Ja'Whaun Bentley #8 of the New England Patriots celebrates after making a sack in the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
2023 can be defined as a “stinker” for the New England Patriots, who finished last in the AFC East with a 4-13 record. This marked the first time since 2000 that the Patriots finished last in the division, and it was also their worst season under coach Bill Belichick. Belichick and the Patriots agreed to part ways following the end of the season. Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo was promoted to fill the vacant head coaching spot.
The Pats retained players from last season, such as Kyle Dugger, Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne. Losses came as Trent Brown and Mike Gesicki signed with the Cincinnati Bengals while Ezekiel Elliot re-joined the Dallas Cowboys. Notable signings include Antonio Gibson, Austin Hooper and Sione Takitaki. Mac Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 14 in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
UNC quarterback Drake Maye was picked third overall as the Pats were eyeing a QB after Jones struggled last season, getting benched in favor of Bailey Zappe. Maye’s selection was a home run as he provides excellent passing abilities and playmaking – he was compared to Justin Herbert and Josh Allen due to his playmaking. Early in the second round, Washington Husky Ja’Lynn Polk was selected in hopes of being a solid second receiver alongside Bourne.
Coming into 2024, the Pats aren’t expected to compete, as they’re still in the middle of a rebuild. Notable matchups include a trip to Wembley to play the Jags in Week Seven and a meeting between Caleb Williams‘s Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
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Though expectations are low, the Patriots could play spoiler on their division rivals as they would hate to be a bottom feeder – a 6-11 record seems fitting.
WK | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME | TV | TICKETS | ||
7 | Sun, 20 Oct | vs Jacksonville * | 9:30 AM | Tickets as low as $118 | |||
8 | Sun, 27 Oct | vs New York | 1:00 PM | Tickets as low as $118 | |||
9 | Sun, 3 Nov | @ Tennessee | 1:00 PM | Tickets as low as $34 | |||
10 | Sun, 10 Nov | @ Chicago | 1:00 PM | Tickets as low as $220 | |||
11 | Sun, 17 Nov | vs Los Angeles | 1:00 PM | Tickets as low as $86 | |||
12 | Sun, 24 Nov | @ Miami | 1:00 PM | Tickets as low as $71 | |||
13 | Sun, 1 Dec | vs Indianapolis | 1:00 PM | Tickets as low as $80 | |||
14 | BYE WEEK | ||||||
15 | Sun, 15 Dec | @ Arizona | 4:25 PM | Tickets as low as $28 | |||
16 | Sun, 22 Dec | @ Buffalo | 1:00 PM | Tickets as low as $81 | |||
17 | Sun, 29 Dec | vs Los Angeles | TBD | Tickets as low as $58 | |||
18 | Sun, 5 Jan | vs Buffalo | TBD | Tickets as low as $64 |
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