The New England Patriots weren’t expected to have any NFL award winners from the 2024 campaign.
Given how the first half of the season played out for the 2-7 Patriots, that assumption has been confirmed.
To make up for that absence, we’ve concocted a handful of superlatives as New England enters the second half of the season.
Most Likely To See Increase In Snaps: Javon Baker
It can only go up from here, right? The rookie receiver has been stapled to the bench save from some forced special teams snaps. Baker has 10 combined offensive snaps for the Patriots with four healthy scratches. Head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt previously said Baker needed to earn the trust of the coaching staff. But it’s about time the Patriots let the fourth-rounder gain some gameday experience and see what they have in him.
Most Likely To Make Pro Bowl: Christian Gonzalez
This was one of the few preseason superlatives we’re able to feel good about so we’re not getting away from it. Gonzalez has fared well during the first half despite a handful of tough matchups. DK Metcalf and Tyreek Hill are among those to offer glowing reviews of the 2023 first-round pick. Gonzalez will have some difficult responsibilities in the second half with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills (twice) who all feature high-caliber wideouts.
Most Likely To Be Fired: Alex Van Pelt
It’s difficult to envision first-year executive Eliot Wolf or Mayo going anywhere, despite the fact early returns haven’t been promising. Owner Robert Kraft won’t do that. A move that could be made, though, is the firing of Van Pelt after just one season. Van Pelt deserves credit for helping rookie Drake Maye in his development, which is easy to see. But Van Pelt’s game-planning and in-game decision-making makes it fair to question if he’s the man for the job.
Draft Pick Patriots Most Likely To Earn: No. 4
The Patriots currently hold the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. That would be great if the season was only nine weeks, but it’s not. Six other teams — Jaguars, Saints, Panthers, Browns, Raiders and Giants — currently have the same 2-7 record as the Patrios. Every loss is pivotal. And we can’t help but think the Patriots earn at least one more win, which likely would cause them to drop out of the top slot. No chance Carolina wins another game, right?!
Team(s) Most Likely To Lose To Patriots: Chicago Bears
The Patriots have a legitimate chance to beat the Bears on Sunday. Of course, New England also had a good chance to beat Tyler Huntley’s Miami Dolphins, the dysfunctional Jacksonville Jaguars and Mason Rudolph’s Tennessee Titans. The Patriots lost all three. But the 4-4 Bears seemingly have given up on head coach Matt Eberflus. New England puked on itself the last time it played a team ready to give up on its coach (Doug Pederson’s Jaguars), but this feels like a redemption spot. After Chicago, maybe the Indianapolis Colts in Week 13.
Opponent Most Likely To Cover Spread: Buffalo Bills in Week 16
The Patriots face the Bills in two of their last three games, including a trip to Buffalo three days before Christmas. The 7-2 Bills, who hold the second seed in the AFC, are likely to be favored by double digits. It won’t matter.
