It's difficult to predict what will happen to the New England Patriots during the 2020 NFL season.
It figures to be a year unlike any other in recent memory for the franchise. Not only will the COVID-19 pandemic impact the season in a multitude of ways, there are several challenges for the team to overcome from a football perspective as well.
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First and foremost is the change at quarterback. Tom Brady left in free agency to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after winning six Super Bowl titles in 20 seasons with the Patriots. New England signed veteran quarterback Cam Newton in free agency, and if healthy, the former league MVP should win the starting job ahead of Week 1.
So, where do the Patriots stand with training camps expected to begin soon? ProFootballTalk released its preseason NFL Power Rankings on Monday, and the Patriots were placed higher than you might have predicted.
They came in at No. 4, two spots higher than Brady's Buccaneers and above several teams with better betting odds to win Super Bowl LV.
Here are the full rankings:
PFT's Mike Florio explained his reasoning for the Patriots being No. 4 in the video below. One of his main points is that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gives his team an enormous advantage in this unprecedented time amid COVID-19. His preparation and leadership will help the Patriots navigate the challenges of the 2020 season better than most, if not all teams.
New England Patriots
The Patriots are the betting favorites to win the AFC East for a 12th consecutive season, and they should have a good shot to reach the playoffs whether Newton or Jarrett Stidham starts at quarterback. But are they really the fourth-best team in the league at the moment? It's a bold take, but with the best head coach in league history, a very good defense and a motivated Newton, the Patriots could surprise a lot of people this season.
Sports Uncovered Podcast: The Bill Belichick You Don't Know | Listen and subscribe | Watch on YouTube