New England upgraded at wide receiver and offensive line, but many of the flaws that got exposed by Seattle in the Super Bowl remain unanswered heading into Week 1.
The Patriots Will be better if only because 'twud be quite harder to get much worse, so moving toward the mean is likely. They will be slightly more ept. Hopefully Seahawks Fans get to see QB 2 and/or QB 3 in this game.
I’m amazed that Mike Vrabel is still coaching the Pats. He’s a punchline, and punchlines don’t get a lot of respect. As for Maye, he showed little throughout the postseason. Between the first-place schedule and the mess at coach, NE could be a sub-.500 team.
I think it's all about Drake Maye with that team. If you believe he's already an elite NFL QB then it's easy to justify an improved offense to compliment an already good/great defense. If you believe he's still got a lot to learn and prove at the NFL level, then it's hard to justify that this team will have as much success as last year, given a tougher schedule and unlikely repeat of playoff good fortune.
Maybe I'm just a Hawk's homer but I was shocked at the number of sports reporters who picked the Patriots. It never even crossed my mind that the Hawks could lose that game.
I was actually concerned I felt this same way, Bob. But considering how deep and talented the Support Guys are, I'm not bothered by it. But the Rams, conversely, only go so far as Stafford will take them.
NE's on-field product may be better this year, but they have a more difficult schedule, and wins are going to be hard to come by. (Seahawks, Bears, Packers, Lions, Chargers, Vikings, Chiefs, Broncos, and two vs. the Bills)
Maybe the Pats will be better… by late in the season, but in week 1? Nope.
SSJ nailed it when he questioned if they would have any chemistry with the new players when they start the season. Chemistry takes time. O line continuity isn’t something that happens in week 1 if you have changes.
If Dre Jones was added to the Seahawks collection of D linemen, he’d be 3rd string at best.
Their O-Line is slated for high apprehensions as blame looks to be assigned and careers marginalized. So much for Unit Integrity. Dance and be happy, DAMMIT!
AJ Brown is a big-bodied wide receiver, kind of like a DK Metcalf with better hands. He's not going to line up anywhere but outside, He's not going to break a corner's ankles with double-moves, and when the play goes to the other side of the field, he's known to nap five yards past the line of scrimmage. With Diggs gone, don't be surprised if Doubs gets more quick looks from Maye than Brown does.
I believe that the Patriots' 2025 O-line was pretty much intact when they got to the playoffs, where the quality defenses they faced (Texans, Broncos and Seahawks) exposed their (many) shortcomings. I can't see a reworked, refitted new group of blockers being able to keep up with the Seahawks in Week One.
If Sam Darnold has the game that he almost had in the Super Bowl (delivering those throws that were just a little low, high or late), this rematch could make the Super Bowl look close.
I don’t really feel qualified to speak on whether the Pats are better than last year’s Super Bowl team. I don’t feel AJ Brown is a great receiver, although I do feel he’s better than DK as a very similar type player. My guess is they are a slightly better team, but the Seahawks are also a better team than last year’s Super Bowl team. If Price is a big hit at RB, I believe the Hawks are markedly better than last year’s team. At this point in time I would say week one is a bigger blow out than the Super Bowl.
When it comes to my opinion about other teams, I really only follow the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers. What I do during the season is watch the last two games of our next opponent on NFL+ premium after I rewatch the Seahawks last game. I may watch Gruden discuss the Seahawk game on his podcast if he does one. I can’t see how you can really follow more than a few teams with any real understanding about them. This is why I think experts are often so clueless. You simply can’t really know a team in an hour a week devoted to them.
He’s got a bad attitude. I think he’s toxic, much like DK. Cries when he doesn’t get his targets, then drops the pass or messes up on his route. AJ does not bother me. We have their number. Maye looks like a college freshman out there. The goal was to rattle him early, and boy did that work. I say we go cover zero and make him ask the refs why are the Seahawks allowed 14 men on the field? Thos are ghosts, son. They are allowed as many ghosts as you can see.
The Patriots Will be better if only because 'twud be quite harder to get much worse, so moving toward the mean is likely. They will be slightly more ept. Hopefully Seahawks Fans get to see QB 2 and/or QB 3 in this game.
Looks like the Pats own too many 'what-ifs' and 'Ugh-Ohs'.
I’m amazed that Mike Vrabel is still coaching the Pats. He’s a punchline, and punchlines don’t get a lot of respect. As for Maye, he showed little throughout the postseason. Between the first-place schedule and the mess at coach, NE could be a sub-.500 team.
Not sure if I'm just late to notice this, but I like the new logo!
I think it's all about Drake Maye with that team. If you believe he's already an elite NFL QB then it's easy to justify an improved offense to compliment an already good/great defense. If you believe he's still got a lot to learn and prove at the NFL level, then it's hard to justify that this team will have as much success as last year, given a tougher schedule and unlikely repeat of playoff good fortune.
Maybe I'm just a Hawk's homer but I was shocked at the number of sports reporters who picked the Patriots. It never even crossed my mind that the Hawks could lose that game.
I was actually concerned I felt this same way, Bob. But considering how deep and talented the Support Guys are, I'm not bothered by it. But the Rams, conversely, only go so far as Stafford will take them.
The hawks could only have lost it on the any given Sunday rule. That were 90% sure of victory
NE's on-field product may be better this year, but they have a more difficult schedule, and wins are going to be hard to come by. (Seahawks, Bears, Packers, Lions, Chargers, Vikings, Chiefs, Broncos, and two vs. the Bills)
Great point!
Maybe the Pats will be better… by late in the season, but in week 1? Nope.
SSJ nailed it when he questioned if they would have any chemistry with the new players when they start the season. Chemistry takes time. O line continuity isn’t something that happens in week 1 if you have changes.
If Dre Jones was added to the Seahawks collection of D linemen, he’d be 3rd string at best.
Their O-Line is slated for high apprehensions as blame looks to be assigned and careers marginalized. So much for Unit Integrity. Dance and be happy, DAMMIT!
I don’t think Dre Jones would even get a vet minimum contract offer from the Seahawks. His only hope is the practice squad ;)
AJ Brown is a big-bodied wide receiver, kind of like a DK Metcalf with better hands. He's not going to line up anywhere but outside, He's not going to break a corner's ankles with double-moves, and when the play goes to the other side of the field, he's known to nap five yards past the line of scrimmage. With Diggs gone, don't be surprised if Doubs gets more quick looks from Maye than Brown does.
I believe that the Patriots' 2025 O-line was pretty much intact when they got to the playoffs, where the quality defenses they faced (Texans, Broncos and Seahawks) exposed their (many) shortcomings. I can't see a reworked, refitted new group of blockers being able to keep up with the Seahawks in Week One.
If Sam Darnold has the game that he almost had in the Super Bowl (delivering those throws that were just a little low, high or late), this rematch could make the Super Bowl look close.
We could break Drake Maye for good in this game.
The slight overthrow to JSN was particularly disappointing, like my first marriage.
Yep, it’s going to be a bigger blow out :)
Maybe if the game were in Foxborough, but it's not. The 12s will be going crazy and Maye won't know which way is up.
I don’t really feel qualified to speak on whether the Pats are better than last year’s Super Bowl team. I don’t feel AJ Brown is a great receiver, although I do feel he’s better than DK as a very similar type player. My guess is they are a slightly better team, but the Seahawks are also a better team than last year’s Super Bowl team. If Price is a big hit at RB, I believe the Hawks are markedly better than last year’s team. At this point in time I would say week one is a bigger blow out than the Super Bowl.
When it comes to my opinion about other teams, I really only follow the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers. What I do during the season is watch the last two games of our next opponent on NFL+ premium after I rewatch the Seahawks last game. I may watch Gruden discuss the Seahawk game on his podcast if he does one. I can’t see how you can really follow more than a few teams with any real understanding about them. This is why I think experts are often so clueless. You simply can’t really know a team in an hour a week devoted to them.
A.J. “will also be motivated for the first time in a long time.” We’ll see about that.
He’s got a bad attitude. I think he’s toxic, much like DK. Cries when he doesn’t get his targets, then drops the pass or messes up on his route. AJ does not bother me. We have their number. Maye looks like a college freshman out there. The goal was to rattle him early, and boy did that work. I say we go cover zero and make him ask the refs why are the Seahawks allowed 14 men on the field? Thos are ghosts, son. They are allowed as many ghosts as you can see.
"Thos are ghosts, son. They are allowed as many ghosts as you can see.'
... oh, dang, Maye is not in for a good start.