Here is a game by game prediction... spoiler alert. I picked 13-3.
#1 Texans - The Pats have issues against rushing QBs. Watson will not have the success he had the first game though. The Texans running game is meh (absent the QB YPC). Brady absolutely eats this Houston D for breakfast no matter what talent is across from him. As long as Brown doesn't give up a ton of pressure this game should be a win. The Pats know how to deal with Watt. Houston lacking serious weapons on offense will be a big issue. Pats 34 Texans 27 - W
#2 @Jags - The Patriots are always weaker in the the first 4 games and that will be the same this season. The Jags come in with something to prove here. I think the early issues will be too much to over come vs a very hungry Jags team. I predict a defensive score of some kind that puts this one away late. Pats 20 Jags 24 - L
#3 @Lions - The Lions are a middle of the road team. They are exactly the type of team the Pats slowly push until they fall over completely in the 3rd quarter and can never get back in it. They have good RBs out of the backfield to keep it close but they don't have the ability to really close a top team out. Pats 31 Lions 20 - W
#4 Dolphins - Usually the home dolphin game is a stomp fest. This game will be no different. Without the anti-Brady magic of their home field they don't stand much of a chance. Pats 33 Dolphins 13 - W.
#5 Colts - Even when Luck is healthy this team doesn't do well. Their D can't stop Brady and all you need to do it stop Hilton. Pats have crushed this team every time they played them. Nothing will change. Pats 41 Colts 19 - W
#6 Chiefs - Without Smith this can't truly be a revenge game. But they will treat it like one anyone. No way the Patriots let Hill/Hunter/Kelce run circles on them again. The Pats usually don't have too much trouble with the predictable Chiefs and a young QB will likely make some mistakes. They usually play the Pats tight though. Pats 30 KC 24 - W
#7 @Bears - Not much needs to be said. The Bears suck. Just stop Mack from killing Brady. If you ask the Pats to only stop 1 or 2 things they do that very well. Pats 36 Bears 9 - W.
#8 @Bills - The Bills might be able to beat bad teams but they tend to get absolutely stomped by good ones. Pats own the Bills here, there or on the moon. The score doesn't reflect the domination as the Pats decide to run a lot this game I think. Pats 27 Bills 10 - W
#9 GB - The Patriots have problems dealing with guys like Rodgers cause they are scared to rush them. BB's D is about capitalizing on mistakes and the GB offense doesn't make them unless you force them too usually. Pats are served a hard fought loss at home. GB 30 Pats 27 - L
#10 @Titans - Nothing to see here. We've seen this game before and we know how it goes. Pats 35 Titans 14 - W. A nice note to come into the bye week on.
#11
@Jets - If Donald works out how I think he will, the Jets won't be our whipping boy after this year. But this year they will continue to be. A tough game but a win. Pats 24 Jets 20
#12 Vikings - This is a good team with a very good D. But they can be scored on if you know how to avoid their strengths. The Patriots will figure it out just like other teams did. While their offense has good players is it ultimately pretty predictable which will work against them. Pats 27 Vikings 20
#13 @Dolphins - There is no reason this game should be so hard. There really isn't. I don't know why they lose it so often. But I'll put it in as a loss just because they are able to stop Brady in Miami fairly often. As Brady goes, so do the Patriots. Unless Michel can do enough to make it possible to win with a substandard Brady this game. Pats 20 Dolphins 23 - L
#14 @Steelers - This game is always built up to be a big showdown. Sometimes it's close. Sometimes it is an ass whopping. But Brady almost never loses to this team. He eats this D alive. The Steelers are a team that 'does what they do'. That isn't the way to beat the Patriots unless that also includes a monstrous pass rush or our defense doesn't show up. This is a little more one sided than usual as the Pats will be super up for it coming off the Miami loss and knowing how much this will impact the bye. Pats 34 Steelers 24 - W
#15 Bills - 2nd verse same as the first. Pats 30 Bills 16 - W
#16 Jets - The Jets usually have 1 close game against us and get blown out in the other one. This is the blow out as I think the Pats will need this game to get the first round bye. Pats 34 Jets 10 - W
