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Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, ladies and gentlemen, degenerates, New England Patriots fans, fans of the NFL Shield, Fantasy Football Badders, anyone I may have left out. For and wide, welcome in to episode number 110 of the Talking the Line podcast on this beautiful August 25th, 2021. And as always, thank you so much for taking a few moments out of your day to come and kick it with the crew on this beautiful, beautiful day. Now, I know you saw the title, I've been saying it a lot, it's pretty easy to know at this point in time what we are going to be talking about on any given day.
There's no hints, there's no shadow behind it. You know what we're talking about, the New England Patriots, and we're gonna have plenty of banner, plenty of nonsense. But before we get into all of that, please take a few moments too. Smash that subscribe button on whatever platform you are currently ingesting the TTL pod on.
If you are watching on YouTube as my partner tries to hold in that sneeze, make sure you hit that notification bell as well so you never miss the start of a live show or any additional content dropping next item up on the docket. If you can find it in your heart, you can be so kind, you got a couple extra seconds, hit that like button, leave us a comment, leave us a rating, jump in the live chat. If you are watching live, we would love to answer all of your Patriots questions and more. We cannot tell you how much we appreciate you guys when you do those things, and it only helps us make TTL sports media bigger and better for each and every one of you.
Ho, ho, ho, last, certainly not least. Head on over to this episode's description where you're gonna find the Talking Align Linktree. Within that link tree, you'll locate the TalkInAlign.com website, all of the TTL crew's social platforms and our additional content so you can consume it all, however, and whenever, you please. Once again, good morning, good afternoon, good evening, beautiful people.
I am your humble host, Colton, Col.45, Sproka, and also once again, thank you so much for choosing Stop By to Talking Align podcast today, and get filled up with nothing but knowledge on the New England Patriots and maybe just a little bit more along the way. Now, I got a whole lot more time to waste here bringing this show up to speed, so it's time to bring in the second half of the Talking Align crew. A young man who proudly represents as the co-host of the Daily TTL Pod. A young man who also proudly reps the white and black from the south side of his Chicago White Sox.
And also a young man that if you quite possibly gave him a minor cut on his arm, it may start to bleed green and yellow, because his Packers banned him. That all being said, ladies and gentlemen, you pretty much know everything about the man now, let's bring him on in the man, the myth, the degenerate gambling legend himself. Mr. Riley, R-Max, Magnuson.
Order, how you doing over there today, pal? My man, as always, I have no complaints whatsoever. We've got a hell of a team, the New England Patriots on deck today. You know, a certain coach over here that may or may not have a few tricks up his sleeve, we shall see.
But I'm excited to talk about this team, man. I have been, uh, Sean from the rooftops since about March that this team may or may not have a nice little bounce back in them. And I think we're gonna find out why here in a few short moments. I'm following up on my word a little bit.
I was sneezing as you were about to smash. I thought I was gonna time it out so I sneezed as we were smashing the subscribe button. But, uh, yeah, it didn't come out so I... Hey, I'm pulling in.
I did. I'm feeling great, so, uh, you know, I might creep back up, but we'll see. I'll be all right and ready to rock and roll. The jury's still out on that, but we'll have to wait for a little while on the show, see if that sneeze comes back and visits us.
Somewhere in there, I can be like, uh, yeah, we got a lot to talk about about the Patriots today, and, uh, yeah, that aforementioned coach that's been with this New England Patriots team now going into his 22nd year. You know the name, Bill Belichick, we gotta say any more about that, but we'll have plenty to talk about this coaching staff and everything in between. I've forgotten this the past couple of days, and it's just gotta get the vibes right, gotta get the vibes going. First things first, cheers to you, my partner.
If you folks out there are drinking a nice cup of joe, cheers to you as well. Let's start this beautiful day, right? Or whatever you got cooking. Nice little beers.
Yeah, maybe a little Bailey's in there too. Mm. That is a good cup of joe, and I am ready to rock and roll. Oh, also warm days out there across the map.
Very warm. The shy city, across the burbs, across all over the nation right now is hot, hot, hot. So, hey, quick reminder, get those fluids in you. Make sure you stay hydrated as you're sweating out your bets today.
All right, just make sure my friendly reminder to you. All right, for now, it's time to get into the PSA. Absolutely my friend. Always gotta make sure that our fans are protected and ready to rock and roll.
So, with all that being said, let's get into today's team of the day, the New England Patriots. As always, we will be discussing their full offensive and defensive lineups. We will get into their coaching staff. Not a whole lot we gotta talk to or talk about there because they've been around for so doggone long, the same coaching staff too.
We will give you our predictions for the 2021 schedule here for the Patriots. Then we will break it down their schedule week by week in the full season betting preview. That's the third segment of the day. We'll go for their weekly lines and weekly game totals.
We'll look back at 2020. We'll give you some additional value. We found in the future markets and stuff outside of that as well. So, if you're good to generate like we are, that's what you typically stop by the TTL pod for.
We got it all for you on the third segment of the day. And then fourth and final segment, we are also fantasy nerds. So, if you tuned in for a little bit of fantasy advice, we got it for you for the final segment of the day. Start, stash, or pass.
I do believe there's gonna be some solid value on the New England Patriots this year across the board. Not just fantasy, but across the board. And I do declare my friends that the New England Patriots are gonna surprise a lot of people from the performance that we saw last year. Obviously, wasn't the stereotypical top tier top notch New England Patriots team.
We've come to know and love. Obviously, Brady might have won the trade for now. I don't want to stick my foot in my mouth too early. But I will also say that Bill was able to get seven wins on the board with the COVID issues, with the opt-out, with all the problems they had, which we will cover in full very shortly.
So, let's get into it today, my friends. No time wasted, no time to stop or stall. Let's get into the first segment of the day. The full team breakdown for the New England Patriots.
As always, I'll kick things off, I will kick things off offensively. I'll kick things off with the key losses. Max will tell you about the key additions. Actually, had a new addition today.
If you haven't been on social media checking around, you won't know about it. Max will be sure to tell you about that. Then we'll break down a little bit of their 2020 stats. Dive into the 2021 lineups.
Talk about our outlooks. Do the same for the defense. Talk about the coaching staff. Then we'll get into the second segment of the day.
First things first, he losses offensively for the Patriots going into 2021. They have some pretty notable names, good handful of guys, and then also names that aren't going to really matter too much. Obviously, Julian Edelman, biggest name that you could say, been in New England for a long time. He has retired.
We'll see if he pops up on the depth chart in Tampa Bay at some point in time. Who knows? Who's to say? Demir Bird, wide receiver also out, but he's on my bears now.
I wasn't the biggest fan of him in New England last year the previous couple of years, so not a whole lot to write home about him. Mention this to you, Priest showed Dante Moncrief was on the Patriots last year. Well, he's no longer they let him go. And then Marquis Lee is also gone wide receiver as well.
And then one more wide receiver Quincy. Oh, De Boyejo. I'm going to hope that is the exact way to say that last name. Ryan Iso tied in out of town.
Rex Burkhead running back has also hit the free agent market, but now he is in Houston. We already talked about that muddy old backfield. Then some key linemen that either hit the free agent market, haven't got a team or have found a home. Joe Thruity, we already talked about him left guard when we talked about the Chiefs.
Marcus Cannon, right tackle, Najee, Teran, right guard and then Jermaine, Eluminaur, right guard. So overall they let 10 guys go in general, but I do believe as we pretty much say with every team, there may be half a team here there is like, what the hell are you guys doing? The Patriots were able to backfill a lot of these offensive positions. And for the first time ever, Billy B did something huge that my partner is going to tell you about here with the key additions for the Patriots going into 2021.
Yes, sir. You did have yourself a little twist up. Sony Michelle is on the way out of town for the Patriots. Oh, I apologize.
Sony Michelle has left town. I said that's totally wrong. Thanks for giving me ours. Offensive losses.
Sony Michelle out of town is not a good thing. Michelle out of town is now joining the Rams. If you haven't seen that, there's so much news going on. Right.
No, no, I'll do apologize. You couldn't do this on the key additions. Yes, sir. So my partner mentioned this team Bill Bell check opened his checkbook pretty wide for about the first time that he ever has at least in this fashion.
Hunter Henry, John, you Smith, both tight ends both coming to town going to be a two headed monster in this offense going to be extremely significant for both of these guys here also brought in Trent Brown to fill some of that offensive line losses that my partner just mentioned also brought in Kendrick born wide receiver could see some time going to see some significant time going to be jury out on what his production is going to be like. They also brought in Ted Carras, a center also in offensive line filling spot there. That about does it for free agency and trades in the offensive sides. They have few key additions here in the draft.
Obviously, first round quarterback, Mack Jones. We will see what his role is on this team if at all could be back in quarterback all season long could see the field sometime soon. We shall see. And then they skip over to the fourth round.
Got a guy that I know my partner is high on and we'll see what his impact is as well. Bremonde Stevenson running back as looked very sad in the preseason so far here and given Bill Belichick's usage or this offense is usage of running backs. Chances are we're going to be seeing this guy in a decent size role here. Six round offensive tackle William Sherman, not sure what we'll see out of him and then seventh round wide receiver Trey Nixon.
That about does it but definitely a few names are right home about here. Yeah, a lot to talk about on the offensive side of the ball in 2021 before we do some key 2020 stats. I think you guys should know about because I think we see some improvements across the board. The Patriots average 5.3 yards for play last year offensively.
They rushed the ball 51.28% of the time and passed 48.72% of the time. Made a reason why you're seeing that big of a split. How did they not pass more than they rushed well? Obviously with Cam in there they became even more of a rushing offense because of his ability with his legs.
Completion percent across the board. Obviously when Cam went out, obviously had some other guys had to rope in there across the board, 64.32%. Nothing terrible but definitely would like to see a little bit of improvement in that. Third down conversion way down.
Gotta see it come way up this year. 40.86% for the Patriots and then in the red zone. Pretty poor as well. 54.17% of the time they converted.
So definitely some numbers that need to improve, but numbers I do believe that we see improved just because of the name of Bill Belichick. I do not believe in my mind that he is going to have back to back bad offensive seasons. I just can't see it. Let alone bad defensive seasons, but we'll stick with the offense for now.
So the projected starters going into 2021. Gonna look a little bit of the same. A little bit different here. They got as far as the offensive line right tackle Trent Brown next to him at guard.
Shaq Mason center. They have David Andrews left guard Mike Onmanu and then a left tackle Isaiah Nguyen. Then always say maybe left, maybe right, maybe catch him passes. Most importantly, catching passes in a bill Belichick offense and being able to catch that pass and run after the catch.
He don't really care too much if they can block. He is able to work around it. My partner mentioned him, Jonu Smith and Hunter Henry. We got plenty to talk about there as well because I'm not sure which guy is going to come out on top of the depth chart.
Jonu was obviously really good in Tennessee last year and then Hunter Henry obviously we've seen him produce plenty in LA and San Diego, whichever one you want to call it. So Hunter Henry and Jonu Smith both solid options for them at tight end and I think we see that production tick up once again here. And then a wide receiver room. They have starting Jacobi Myers, Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agilor behind them fourth and fifth guys projected to be on the depth chart.
Nikhil Harry and Gunnar Olichevsky. Then you get the running backs. Obviously, Sonny Michelle out of town. So that does potentially open the door for Mangeri Stevenson and Stevenson has looked like a bowling ball.
A high speed bowling ball in preseason. So I would not be surprised. You already said it without Bellicheck loves running backs. I would not be surprised to see him get some solid work in the regular season.
But projected right now, you got Damian Harris and James White, both guys that can definitely produce in their own right. And then starting quarterback at the time being Cam Newton and then backing him up the aforementioned by my partner, Mac Jones. One thing that I really want to get across that I think is the most important part and what looms so large for me is how is Cam Newton going to do early in the year. Because the first four weeks of their season, they played the Dolphins, the Jets, the Saints and the Buccaneers.
Gonna save all my opinions on that everything. We'll get into that later. However, we all know that those teams have some damn good defenses and before the Saints put in their four string guys in the fourth quarter, they were absolutely destroying the Jaguars. So I don't think they have any problems defensively.
The Dolphins should be pretty solid. The Jets might be the only question mark with the injuries, but Bob Sallum might be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat too. So four extremely tough defensive weeks for Cam. If he struggles in any capacity, looks at all how he closed the season, it is no doubt Mac Jones is coming in in week five because they played the Houston Texans and they don't have another extremely difficult defensive matchup until week 10 against the Browns.
Cam has to come out and perform right off that. That is the biggest thing here for me. And actually, I think he does. Watch a little bit of film last night, watch the preseason, watch some other stuff in correlation.
And I think he's back. I think COVID really impacted him a lot last year. And I think a full off season, a full training camp, him getting back into full swing of things, working with this team for the second year under Daniels again, working with Belichick, Belichick, I keep saying bill check, Belichick, I think it's just gonna be a recipe for his success here in 2021. And I think we see great things and Mac Jones might not even see the field because of how well Cam Newton plays.
Yeah, you and I have very similar thoughts here, my man. You know, on top of that, the only thing I'll add is that the first three weeks of the season last year, New England jumped out to two and one start, very, very close to a three and oh start before all these. Obviously, they had the defensive opt outs, but as far as COVID ravaging, not only cam Newton, but the rest of the team, they were looking really solid, at least on offense, the way they were schemed up and Patriots fans, Patriots analysts, everyone was drinking the snake oil and then, you know, the issues happen. He goes out week four, they get stomped by the Chiefs.
They come out of the bike. They look terrible. And everyone's going fire sale and everyone's pissed off when they re signed camp for this for this next season here in 2021. I think we're gonna see a lot of more of the scene that we saw those first three weeks in addition.
We get all these defensive guys back. What do you got going on over here? Drinking the snake oil. You might have some problems coming out the wrong end if you drink snake oil, but buying the snake.
I don't care drinking the snake oil. I don't care. You might have some bad poohs if you drink. You know what I'm trying to say.
I think we're going to see a team that looks like at least offensive in the first three weeks of the season. And, you know, we'll talk about the defense in a second, but I have high hopes for Cam. I mentioned it earlier on. I've been standing on top of the mountaintop.
St. Cameron's going to bounce back here. I've been saying it all off season. You know, these receivers, I don't know what to expect from them.
I like the additions compared to what they had the last couple of years. But I mean, you kind of alluded to it. The big difference is really going to be these tight end additions and the way that these Patriots have had success over the last decade or so is whenever, at least the most success is whenever they have dominant tight ends. And now they have certainly had dominant more dominant tight end of the past, obviously, Gronk and Aaron Hernandez are better than these two.
But these two are plenty, plenty solid enough to get the job done and obviously to different style than when Tom Brady was there. So I think it's going to look really solid. This run game is going to look really solid. They're going to be able to pass when they need to pass.
So I've got some decently high hopes here, partner. I do as well. And I'm glad you spent some extra time there on the tight ends because those boys are coming in at a combined $76.5 million contract with about $50 million of that guarantee between the two of them. So Bela Check did something he never does and went to free agency.
And actually, it was before even free agency started. I didn't realize this. It was in the legal tampering period. And as soon as legal tampering started, Bela Check reached out, had John Newstin signed, and then the very next day had Hunter Henry signed.
So if they don't produce, you are going to see a very, very mad Bill Bela Check this season. But I don't think that happens. You can make the argument like, oh, they overpaid for him like maybe. But that just goes to show how clearly he values that position and saying two guys at that same number and how much it really factors into their success on offense.
So I am feeling pretty damn sad here. As long as they say healthy, obviously Hunter Henry has had his injury issues throughout his career. So I guess that would be a key factor for those guys. Yeah, it definitely would be.
But I don't think I don't think the problem is the tight end production is going to go back to the roof. The running production is going to stay really consistent. And then we'll have to see what happens outside of the tight ends in the passing game. We've been a strong suit for the Patriots, even with Tom Brady there.
It was never really strong. He always targeted Gronker. He always had Hernandez. He had a huge tight end to target Ben Watson.
You know, he always had somebody to target. So I think that is the direction we're going to see the Patriots offense go put in a cap on it. Spend enough time on the offense. You guys know our thoughts there with the key rankings courtesy of our guys over at SFA.
Go to back, scum in ranked as the 23rd unit in the league. Now, obviously this can be improved on dramatically. So don't jump off the ledge just yet Patriots fans. I think that they can definitely get into that top 15 range.
My partner is super high on Cam. I'm also super high on Cam. I think he comes back in 2021 and shocks the hell out of the world. And I should mention, I don't mean I'm projecting we see MVP cam back here.
That's not what I'm projecting. I'm not saying he's going to get back to vintage cam. I just think he's going to be really damn solid and he's going to be able to start this entire season. Absolutely.
So there you go. 23rd. I definitely think there's plenty of room for improvement. As far as the offensive line goes, they overhauled that brought in some key pieces fifth ranked unit in the league per SFA.
So they should have plenty of opportunities to protect Cam. Get that run game going. And one thing I've noticed if Cam can get that protection, give him some time to think he can step up in the pocket and hit about any damn pass you want him to. So where he gets that pressure, the first thing he thinks about is dumping it off to the running back or taking a huge hit and getting away because he doesn't want that shoulder to get hurt again.
And I think it's a lot better than it has been in the past couple years. Absolutely. And then last but not least, two other court positions running back 25th ranked unit in the league. Obviously, we'll see and hope that they can improve upon that.
Obviously with Sonny Michelle heading out of town, it does limit them a little bit. But we'll see what the rookie Stevenson can do. And then receivers 28th ranked unit in the league. I think that's very fair.
I wouldn't write home about Jacoby Myers. I really wouldn't write home about Kendrick Bourne. We saw flashes from Bourne when he was with the 49ers and then also Agilor. But I don't know.
We've seen more drops from Agilor than we've seen good. He was somewhere around 80 to 85 targets last year and only had about 40 to 45 catches out of those targets. So I'm not buying the snake oil on that one on El Sanagilor. So pretty fair ranking there for the 28th ranked unit in the league.
Let's keep it moving, keep it grooving onto the defensive side of the ball. My friends, be sure to stick around for the final segment of the day. We'll break down the defense even further in our fantasy segment. Start Stasher Pass.
But for the defense now, part of the kick things over to you. Get things started. Get myself a nice whistle wedding here with some high quality H2O. Kick things off.
Indulgeus. If you can be so kind, the key defensive losses for the pads going into 2021. Alrighty. So a few names that you might recognize here, but as my partner will mention in just a minute, they did some work in both free agency and the draft to fill some of these holes.
A couple of bigger names though. Adam Butler on the interior defensive line, like 15 games for the pads last year. J.C. Jackson, cornerback, 16 games.
J.C. McCordy also spent some time in New England played 16 games last year. Those are the three biggest names. But as I mentioned, they did fill these holes.
Terence Brooks, safety, 14 games, John Simon off the edge, 16 games and Chalique Calhoun, linebacker played at 10 games. So few names that you might recognize, but nothing all too crazy here, partner. Nothing all too crazy at all. And they actually brought in some solid names and some names that left town, but have since come back to town.
Who am I talking about? Kyle Van Noe, one of my favorite linebackers in the league. He's coming back to the Patriots after spending a year in Miami last season. Was very solid and I think he comes right back into this Patriots defense and produces at the same level he was.
They picked up Matt Judon from Baltimore, Edge rusher, absolutely dominant piece to add to this defense. And I think that only ups their ceiling by a significant margin. They also brought in Davone, Gochau, partner, which was working with that once. If you got to call, he is a defensive lineman.
Was reading up on him and he should be a game maker, be able to stop the run and also get some QB pressure from time to time. And then J.C. Mils safety brought him in. Looks like he's going to get the immediate start.
And then Henry Anderson, also another interior defensive lineman via the draft. They only got four guys defensively. They focused a little bit more offensively, but nonetheless, they still got some very, very good defensive names. Christian Barmore, roll, damn, tied defensive tackle out of Alabama.
Mama says, my magic shows. Ronnie Perkins, they got defensive end. And Boomer sooner out of Oklahoma Cameron, the grown linebacker out of Michigan and Joshua Bledso, safety out of the Mizzou. So overall, decent defensive hall, whether it be via the free agency, trademark it or the draft.
I think they hit it out of the ballpark. I don't even say they. I'm going to say bill. I think bill hit it out ballpark with these defensive additions for sure.
And I think we see the dominant Patriots defense return once again in 2021. But let me tell you a little bit about 2020 and where I think they improve significantly. As far as opponent yards per play, they allowed them to average 5.8 yards. I think that gets a little closer down to the 5.0 mark.
They allowed opponents to complete at a 67.41%. I think that gets even closer to 60. I think it's right around 62 in 2021. Opponent third down conversion rate, 40.86%.
I do think that remains the same. And then in the red zone, this is going to be a huge, huge sticking point for Bill. I already can imagine he has been running them ragged in the red zone on defense. They allowed a bonus to score at a 65.31 clip in 2021.
So I definitely think that improves here. If I know Bill Belichick and I have been watching the NFL for 21 years, but pretty dog on close and I think I know Bill Belichick pretty well at this point in time and he's got a defensive mind. So he will get it corrected. I do believe.
But who's he going to get it corrected with? Well, I'm so glad jazz because I got ready to rock and roll for you right here. Starting things off with the line defense on the left side, Kyle Vanneoy coming back in or right side, Matt Judon, protected projected to start in between them. Obviously, there is some solid solid depth here within the defensive line, but projected to start, you're going to have Henry Anderson and then Davago Chow.
So those two guys should be able to produce and they got plenty of depth behind all four of those guys to be able to give them rest when they need it. Round and out the front seven coming back from a COVID opt out. My goodness, do they need this man Dante high tower linebacker and then Jwan Bentley opposite of him. Both of those guys should produce drastically in 2021.
Then the secondary, the defensive backs, very solid defensive back room. They got to find Gilmore. Jerry still kind of out. If he is out of town or not, I do believe he stays around.
If he ain't going nowhere yet, Bill convinced him to stay one way or another. Then you have Jonathan Jones in the slot should be a solid guy out of that position this year and then J.C. Jackson opposite Gilmore who has really, really turned into one of the more dominant corners in the league. And he's actually put up 17, no 16.
I'm going to stick to 16. I think 16 interceptions over the last two years. So he had been dominant is all hell. I mentioned him on my defensive losses.
That's my bad. He was on the list. He came back. He came back.
They resigned him. And then last but certainly not least round and out the secondary, the deep guys told you about Jaylen Mills. They brought him in getting the immediate start strong safety and then the old dog was still playing like a young dog. Devin McCordy, I do believe he will be 32 this season.
So getting up there but still producing at a very high level. So you ask me, last year's defense was due for regression with all the opt outs, all of the issues, all of the lack of additions. Everything they had, it was just bound for it. And we saw it significantly.
And I think a lot of people are going to be buying back into that this year. We'll continue to see the regression. They're just going to stay right the same. Bill finally got exposed.
He's got to focus too much on the offense now. Can't have his defense firing in all cylinders like he usually does. Bullshit. I'm not buying into any of it.
I think this defense is going to be great. I think they have loads of value. I think the line puts up numbers. I think the secondary puts up numbers.
I think the linebackers filling any holes in between there is going to be one of my favorite defenses in the league once again. We'll talk about it in fantasy, but they have a shitload of value. And it comes to that too. What do you think of defensive here?
I'm sure you're probably on the same page as me. A lot of the same man. I think the public general public is really overlooking. Not only I mean, basically, all you everything you said there, all of these COVID opt outs that are coming back, some of these defensive additions that they made in the off season, I think people are really overlooking Matt Chudan.
You know, he's not going to be the first player of the year or anything like that. But he is certainly going to make an impact. You need him to be. No, exactly.
And you know, all these guys on the interior line, you bring back Kyle Van Neuoy, just the cohesiveness that he brings, kind of a blue guy to use that term for this Patriots defense that they lost last year. So I am through the roof excited and you know, you mentioned Stefan Gilmore. If he comes back then close the book on it. This is one of the top five defenses in the league.
I still like some of the, you know, the quarterback depth if he's not there concerns me a tiny bit, but I think the rest of the unit is good enough to cover up for that fact. And as you mentioned, I do also believe that he's going to come back. So I don't have too many bad things to say about this unit. I really like the depth on the interior defensive line as well.
So I have very, very high hopes, my friend. We are pretty much on the exact same page. So not a whole lot else. We got to say about that.
But let's put a cap on it. Courtesy of the guys at SFA see if they're on the same page as us. Oh, well, it certainly looks like they are 14th ranked front seven in the NFL right now and definitely loads of opportunity to improve upon that, not only with the names, but with the depth behind the starting names ninth ranked secondary in the league. I do believe if Stefan Gilmore stays around and JC Jackson produces the way that he has been.
This secondary could be top three in the league. If at worst, top five. I love his defense. Obviously guys over at SFA do as well, they have some pretty high predictions.
And even though they're pretty high, I still think that they can improve. I think they're really tentative. So we'll see what happens defensively. But let's put a cap on the entire team breakdown for the New England Patriots with their coaching staff.
Well, we talked about him plenty already, but actually I should be calling him Bill Bellachek. Check being the emphasis in his name because that's all he's been cutting this entire off season. Straight check that one on the part. Thank you, sir.
Bill Bellachek coming in for his 22nd NFL season of the Patriots. He's actually been in much longer than that. But 21 official seasons under the belt with New England. And I think this is going to be another turnaround year for him.
I don't even know that buys him as the correct term to use, but buys him another five to 10 years for crying out loud. He's around forever. He can stay one of the ones coming into his 10th season. You have Josh McDaniel's obviously been around with Billachek Bellachek a lot for the since pretty much half of his tenure.
Obviously. And I mean, I thought that McDaniel's would be out of there by now. I thought that he'd have a head coaching job, but I just think the dynamic works so well that he's going to stick around as the in the OC as long as he can in New England and just right off the hype train and get his mini playoff wins and super poll rings as he can. Either that or he's trying to be the heir apparent of Bill Bellachek.
That's also something to think about. But heir apparent. Talked about a little bit of nepotism yesterday. We got a little bit of nepotism going on in a Patriots organization.
Steve Bellachek, Bill Sun is the DC coming in for his third official season. He's obviously been able to produce and obviously getting groomed up by his dad. I would not put any of 2020 on Steve whatsoever. That's their coaching staff.
We obviously have very high hopes, high expectations for them as everybody should. I mean, it's a Patriots coaching staff. They've been able to take mediocre players and turn them into superstars for the last 21 years as long as Bellachek has been there. So I think that continues to happen.
I think they have a very, very successful 2021 season. The offense is going to produce. The defense is going to flip the script positively regress back to the mean. And we are going to, I don't want to say a Pat season of old, but I definitely could see 10 wins coming from him this year.
Yeah, I think the other aspect of this coaching staff is that I think Bill Bellachek has got an extra, extra large size chip on a soldier shoulder because you mentioned it partner. A narrative is starting to sound like Tom Brady might have won the breakup. Bill Bellachek ain't having any of that shit this year. No 789 wins seasons are coming out of him because the narrative is going to pick up even harder.
If Tom Brady makes a playoffs, handily once again and Bill Bellachek misses it. He is a history buff on the NFL and he does not want his legacy to go down as a. Relying on time Brady to get him all those rings. He wants it to be known that he was just as much of the reason, if not more than Mr.
Tom Brady. So just thought I'd add that in there. And I do believe the entire mass whole population is on board with us as well. So they are going to be extremely loud and proud all over social media and in Gillette Stadium.
If that's still what it is nowadays, Gillette Stadium. So it is going to be ruckus and boy, oh boy, if you are not a fan of the Patriots, if you oppose the Patriots with a burning passion, hey, good luck. It's going to be a fun season for you, my friends, but that does it. Entire team breakdown.
Let's get into the second segment of the day, my friends, the entire schedule breakdown. Now, as always, we won't go week by week. We'll just give you our predictions to their plan kind of some of the key rest and prep advantages or maybe disadvantages and then some different things that will pull off from there. And then once we get into the betting preview, next segment will go through 2020, but then we'll break down 2021 week by week, not only spreads, also game totals and future value as well.
But let's stick with right here and now in the present 2021 schedule projections and predictions for the New England Patriots. Now they do have their buy week in week 14. I will tell you that that is something to always keep in mind. But first things first, let's start it off with their division games, the AFC East.
Now we've already talked about two of these teams. We're talking about the third one, the Jets on Friday in combination with the Giants. So if you're a big fan of New York, New York, New York, because we'll definitely have nice things to say about both of them. Huge things, right?
Make sure you stop by. Make sure you stop by Friday show, by the way, sticking with the Patriots record in the AFC East. I think they split with the bills. I do believe that will be one of, yeah, I think they split with the bills because I think potentially actually the more I think about it now.
The more I look at this schedule without saying too much, they come in. The Patriots come in with a rest disadvantage on week 13 against them and turn around and play them in week 16. Week 13 is on the road. Week 16 is at home for the Patriots.
Let me think about it. We'll marinate on that one for just a second. I do believe that they will split with the Dolphins and I do believe that they will get both from the Jets. I can't see Bill Belichick losing to after getting both last year from the Bills.
I think they'll be really dog on tight, but I think they'll split both because I think the level of play we're going to see from the Dolphins and from the Bills this year is going to be enough to split with the Patriots, even though we both are extremely optimistic on the production. We see from the Patriots across the board in 2021. So I give them a healthy four and two in the AFC East and that's maybe a little pessimistic. Maybe they can go five and one if things shake out, but I would say keep it table four and two.
Okay, I I'm giving him a crisp to know against the Jets. I'm not going to waste too much time there. They do get to get to get. Excuse me.
They do catch the Jets week seven coming off the Jets by week, but that is a new England. So I'll still get the Patriots both of those. I believe I said the other day a split with the Dolphins. I think the Patriots come out week one and grab that win and then a week 18 in Miami.
I was going to say it. Go ahead. We have breaking news for this new England Patriots organization. Isaiah Nguyen left tackle previously discussed and wide receiver Nelson Agilor both heading toward the locker room with members of the training staff per Zach Cox on Twitter at Zach Cox in ESN.
Appreciate that. Zach wouldn't you know it, man? We got news coming out all over left right center as we're talking about exactly the Patriots carry on my friend. I do a project.
No, no, worth it. So I'm giving him a split with the Dolphins and I am going to I'm honestly leaning towards the Bills getting both of those games, but I will say a split here and I will also say four and two. I'm very high the Bills. I was decently high in the Dolphins.
Patriots always have some issues in Miami. That's in week 18. So I will go a split with both of those teams and a 2 and 0 sweep of the Jets. So I will also go foreign too, but I'm a little less confident in those games against the Bills.
Although you know Bill Belichick obviously has historically massive. Yeah, so for that reason I will give them at least one of those games. All right. Well, there you go for it to from the both of us out of the AFC East for the Pat AFC South.
This one's a little interesting to me. What I'm seeing from the Jags is not impressive me at all. And we talked about them being somewhat of a team that you might be able to depend on. But I think this Derral level offense is going to be there.
Killy Seal, I think they're going to be valuable to shit in the first quarter and the rest of it's going to be fuck all. So give me the win over the Jags. Give me the win over the Texans. No question.
The Colts are going to be interested in me. They didn't play him last year. I'm not sure the last time they've actually played the Colts. So that's kind of interesting to see what will happen.
I think that Bill will be able to confuse Carson Wentz. I don't I don't know for certain, but I if I'm leaning anywhere for them to get a win, I would lean a win there over the Colts. And then I'm leaning either way. So one way or another, something's going to happen.
I think they go three and one in the AFC South. I just don't know if they pick up the shootout victory against the Colts or the shootout victory against the Titans. Okay. That's the way both those games are going to play out.
Okay. I might be going to Crips 4 and 0 sweet out of the AFC South. My man, give me 2 and 0 against the Texans and Jags. I week 17 against the Jags is in New England.
If that was in Jacksonville, you know, weird, similar to Miami might be a little struggle, but in Jacksonville, I'll give him a nice clean win. And then I like the matchup for the Patriots against the Titans. It is at home in week 12. Give me that one and a three day advantage of rest for the Patriots.
Give me that one. And then, you know, this Colts one, I'm a little less. I'm a little more on the fence, but I like that. That both teams are coming off their by week there, but I kind of like that a little bit more for the Patriots.
They typically have a high amount of by week success. And I kind of what you mentioned. I think this Patriots defense has the right recipe to confuse that Colts offense. So give me a nice four and 0 sweet out of this one.
And I'm walking it back, man. Give me three and three out of the AFC. I'm walking that one back half before I stop here. Give me three and a four and 0 sweet.
The AFC. That's gracious. Three and three walking it back. All right.
Absolutely. And four and 0. So a little bit different. I think they do a little bit better in the division.
I think they get the win over the Falcons. No problem. Shades of Super Bowl 54, 55, whatever it was. I just think that you can't ever.
Regardless of what coaching staff you put in there. I don't know that the Falcons are ever going to be able to play the Patriots again and not back in mind. At least Matt Ryan. So I think they get the win there.
I think they'll be able to get the win over the Panthers because Bill will be so familiar with Sam Darnold. I think he'll be able to throw him out at him to confuse him. The Saints is going to be interesting. Fuck.
I was really low on the Saints and then they came out guns up blazing defensively. Now again, it was against the Jags and week two of the preseason. That offense looked really, really bad for the Jags. And I'm not sure.
But I think the Saints are going to be dominant defensively just like they have been over the course of the last three, four, five seasons now at this point. So I would give them the edge out because I think that's going to be a defensive game. And I think it's going to come down to who makes the first mistake. And I'm going to put my money on Cam to not make the first mistake.
I would say it's James, even though James looks absolutely incredible. But I would say three and oh there. And then I say they lose to the Bucks. And as much as that hurts as somebody who would want to see Bill get this, I just don't think that the combination of the Pats or the Bucks defense and then Tom Brady and what they're still able to do on offense with everybody.
They brought back. I'm giving him three and one NFC South with one loss coming to the book and ears. Okay. I'm already getting so excited for that week format.
I don't get what happens. I have a football junkie that is just yeah. So give me, I will say three and one basically in the same vein that you are. I will go ahead and say one way or another a split between the Saints and Bucks.
But I do very much so lean towards what you said with the loss to the Bucks and very similar way you said I think Bill Belichick can scheme up a way to make James Winston make those mistakes that you mentioned because yeah, whether it's aggressiveness or you know falling into some deceptive looks. I think Bill Belichick will have the right recipe for James to make at least a couple mistakes if not one. And then I love what you said. I was a little because I we know we're both high in the Panthers but you know mentioning what you said about same darn coming back.
You know dealing with the bell check and the defense. I love the bill that check to take care of business there and then I'll give them over the Falcons as well. So give me three and one out of the NFC South. All right.
So same page there finally one of the same page for one and then final three games to round out their 17 game schedule the branis the Chajas and the boys. If you didn't see it, I should have made a video that I made a tweet of it. The drone view of Hardknocks last night. I heard about it.
I didn't see it. Electric. Well, you would have saw it if I would have I should have done that. Just there were so many people between it.
I just want to be there. Oh, I did it too. But I should have done it because it was absolutely like, I do it after we get off the shelf. Who knows?
But I think I do believe that they get to win over the Browns. I think that's going to be a very, very difficult game. That's going to be a shoot out in the half. It's one of the more difficult games on their schedule outside of the bills in the box.
That's the third hardest game on their schedule. So it could very easily be a loss. I would just say because it's in Gillette, they're going to have those fans back. I already said it.
The Massels are going to be in golfing that stadium. I mean, look out. Anybody that has to go in there. You might die on telling you be aware of your visiting Gillette this year.
But oh, hey, I love you guys. None the last time I talk about you. I absolutely love your electric and deer. I had his term of entertainment Massels.
I absolutely love you guys. You guys are one of the best fan bases in the country. So I'll give him the edge out on the problems that being said. And then just because it's at home, just that advantage and then the Chargers.
I don't know how large that 48 to nothing victory rooms from last year. It mainly happened because of how good Belichick is against rookie quarterbacks. Yeah, I don't know. So but also they had like three special team scores in that game too.
So I don't know flip of the coin to call it. I would say that Bill has success again against Herbert. So man, these are actually really difficult. These are actually really difficult to predict because all of these teams are kind of right in the same boat where they need to do really, really freaking well the Browns, the Chargers and the Cowboys.
So they're kind of a toss up for me. I'm not going to call it per team. I'm going to kind of keep it just straight up at the record. I'm going to say one way or another.
They go two and one. Okay, man. At one and two just doesn't feel right off the tongue with what I'm expecting from this team this year. It just doesn't.
It just doesn't seem right. But yeah, I'm going to I'm going to stick to one. Okay, I agree with you that doesn't sound right, but I'm going to say one and two one way or another. I don't like the match.
It begins the Browns. I think the Browns come into New England and get that win. I don't either. I just just in New England.
You know, we were talking about earlier. I flat out don't know what to expect from that Dallas game whatsoever. So I kind of like you. I'm not going to other than the Browns.
I'm not going to say either way, but I'll say one and two. They get the Chargers despite what happened last year. They go to LA and the Chargers are coming off there by week. So I am going to say one and two one way or another.
I kind of like the Chargers to get that win. But yeah, one way or another. Give me one and two. Yeah, I could very well see it happening.
Did the math as you were speaking my friend and I'm at 12 and five. You had 11 and six. We'll talk about it here very shortly, but Patriots currencies and wind total set at nine total wins. So we're both over on that one.
We got a little bit to discuss a little bit to talk about for sure in that end of the spectrum. And I might even lean a little bit more to that 11 and six. I'll say it again that one and two just does not sound right. I that Browns game is really what's hanging me up.
Yeah, it's really what's hanging me up. I think just because it's in Gillette, they get it, but I don't like the matchup either coming from the. I mean, the Browns are bringing in an offense that can do just fine against that defense and a defense that can do just fine against the right Patriots offense. So it's going to be kind of a toss up to me, but 12 and five, 11 and six either way, I would more or less kind of lean 11 and six.
Yeah, that sounds that sounds pretty dog on right to where I see this season. Right. There are a few games that I really don't know what to expect fully. Like that Saints game and I mentioned that Cowboys game as well.
I do think the Patriots handle the Falcons easily, but you know, it might be just a weird matchup this time around. Who knows? Can I do something else? So we just talked about them.
We do believe that this team is going to struggle against the Patriots this year and many other teams, but the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer has officially named Trevor Lawrence's QB one for week one of the NFL regular season. So no more question marks Jags fans. You are not going to be seeing Gardner Minchu and you sure as heck are not going to be seen. Gardner Minchu already said.
I was like, I can't be learned. I'm going to Michael and there you go. Either way, we ain't talking about that. There's another breaking news announcement just because we were talking about the Jags Trevor Lawrence will start week one QB one getting his start been a long time since the number one overall pick got a win in the first week of the season.
So can Trevor Lawrence break that trend? I'll tell you what I'm taking right here and right now Jags first quarter money line lock it in. Okay. I'll tell you why later.
Probably when I actually hammer that in. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, we've got a drag dartos here in the sense of the schedule breakdown. I don't know how you guys stick with us.
You stay around. Sometimes we just get down the rabbit hole and then we slide on back up and I look over on YouTube and you guys are still here. So hey, thanks for sticking around. So moving right along, wrapping up the schedule.
Key things I wanted you guys to know about as I always do. Curiously guys at SFA, they break down all of the rest and prep advantages and disadvantages here per team and they do it as well for the Patriots. So opponents, they play where they have over a week to prepare their opponent has over a week to prepare. They play four teams that do and then they only play one team that has less than a week to prepare.
So not very good there. They play four teams at a rest disadvantage and they only play one team at a rest advantage and then they play one game that's on a short week that is also on the road outside of that. Nothing else really of note, but just so you know what those games are and kind of why they mean so much, they have a negative seven rest differential against the Jets and week seven and then right again in week eight, negative seven rest differential against the Chargers. Right.
So I'm also a little bit scared and would lean one and two and those remaining three games then coming off a Thursday night football, they get a three game rest advantage against the Titans at home. So that's interesting, but then they play Monday night football right after that week 13 and they have a negative three differential against the Bills. So might lean more to my partner's opinion there as far as the Bills splitting with them or they may be even getting both of the victories there. And then last but certainly not least, not major, but out of their buy in week 15, they had a buy week 14 out of their by week 15 play the Colts.
They come in on a one day rest disadvantage. So nothing right, crazy, but still something to think about in that regard as well. So that does everything as far as the full schedule. You know, I think's a go in how we think things are going to shake out here for the Patriots.
It's going to be a little difficult as far as some of the rest and prep spots. Set it a few times. Schedule makers definitely pick and choose teams that they want to pick and choose certain spots for. And the Patriots are definitely one of those.
So there you go. Let's move on in third and final, not final third segment of the day. We still got two more to go. What am I talking about?
Third segment of the day. You know what we are. We're good to generous at the end of the day. Are we?
Oh, you best believe my friend. You best believe it or if you want to be professional sports betting analyst. We are. So let's put on that hat for the day, Mr.
Magnussen. And slide on over to the title. I hate this. I hate this.
I hate this. Sorry. That's so won't keep it moving. We are not suits.