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All eyes will be on the New England Patriots this season as the NFL community looks to see what will become of one of the league’s most successful franchises in a post-Brady world.
Head coach Bill Belichick has remained level-headed throughout all of the media hype but what remains on the line is two decades of dominance. Up for grabs will be the AFC East division title, which has belonged to the Patriots since 2009, after the Miami Dolphins last took home the championship. Prior to that, they won the division five consecutive seasons.
The Patriots went 12-4 last season but there was a noticeable flaw in the offense that would result in a loss against the Tennessee Titans in the wildcard game – marking the first time New England missed the divisional round since 2009.
New England boasts one of the best defenses in the league giving Belichick room in the offseason to focus on filling in the gaps in the offense. He utilized two draft picks, Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, to fill the void left behind by tight end Rob Gronkowski, who came out of retirement this season to join Brady in Tampa.
The Patriots also added wide receiver Damiere Byrd to the roster and will count on Brady’s go-to man, Julian Edelman, to fully recover from late-season injuries that saw him struggle in New England’s final games.
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5 THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS’ ALL-TIME MOUNT RUSHMORE: 4 BEST PLAYERS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 2020 SCHEDULE: 3 INTRIGUING MATCHUPS
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: EACH NFL DRAFT 2020 SELECTION
- CAM NEWTON REPRESENTS PATRIOTS’ BEST CHANCE OF GETTING 7TH SUPER BOWL TITLE
- PATRIOTS FINED $1.1M, DOCKED 2021 NFL DRAFT PICK IN LATEST CHEATING SCANDAL
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NEW ADDITION HIGHLIGHT: CAM NEWTON
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
It could be the greatest comeback story of the season.
The Patriots were in limbo following Brady’s decision to leave New England after 20 seasons but head coach Bill Belichick wasn’t without options.
Second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham had long been favored for the starting job, a theory that seemed to be solidified by the Patriots’ decision not to draft a quarterback this year. But several months later, Belichick surprised many when it was reported that the Patriots had agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million with former Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Newton led the Panthers to three straight NFC South titles from 2013-15, and a Super Bowl appearance during the 2015 season, when he was awarded the league MVP. He also earned three Pro Bowls in nine seasons.
But the later end of his time in Carolina saw him miss 16 regular-season games over the last two years due to a foot injury that required a procedure. He also had multiple shoulder surgeries throughout his career.
Newton quickly rose to the top of Belichick’s list after an impressive training camp and was named for the starting role last week.
He will be put to the test in Week 1 when he takes on Dolphins’ veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
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PROJECTED STARTERS
New England Patriots' Julian Edelman (11) breaks away from Los Angeles Rams' Troy Hill, right, during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Offense: Cam Newton (QB), Sony Michel (RB), Julian Edelman (WR), N’Keal Harry (WR), Damiere Byrd (WR), Ryan Izzo (TE), Isaiah Wynn (OT), Joe Thuney (OG), David Andrews (C), Shaq Mason (OG), Jermaine Eluemunor (OT)
Defense: Deatrich Wise Jr. (DE), Lawrence Guy (DE), Adam Butler (NT), John Simon (DE), Shilique Calhoun (LB), Ja’Whaun Bentley (LB), Brandon Copeland (LB), Stephon Gilmore (CB), Jason McCourty (CB), Devin McCourty (S), Terrence Brooks (S)
Special Teams: Jake Bailey (P)
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2020 PATRIOTS SCHEDULE (all times Eastern)
New England Patriots defenders Jonathan Jones (31) and New England Patriots Duron Harmon (21) tackle Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Allen left the field after the play. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Week 1: Dolphins (9/13, 1 p.m.)
Week 2: @ Seahawks (9/20, 8:20 p.m.)
Week 3: Raiders (9/27, 1 p.m.)
Week 4: @ Chiefs (10/4, 4:25 p.m.)
Week 5: Broncos (10/11, 1 p.m.)
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: 49ers (10/25, 4:25 p.m.)
Week 8: @ Bills (11/01, 1 p.m.)
Week 9: @ Jets (11/9, 8:15 p.m.)
Week 10: Ravens (11/15, 8:20 p.m.)
Week 11: @ Texans (11/22, 1 p.m.)
Week 12: Cardinals (11/29, 1 p.m.)
Week 13: @ Chargers (12/06, 4:25 p.m.)
Week 14: @ Rams (12/10, 8:20 p.m.)
Week 15: @ Dolphins (12/20, 1 p.m.)
Week 16: Bills (12/28, 8:15 p.m.)
Week 17: Jets (1/03, 1 p.m.)
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ODDS
To win the Super Bowl: +4000
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Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider.