Zolak & Bertrand: Best case scenario for Patriots win total
As former Patriots Super Bowl hero James White continues to strike "There's a lot of unknown in this division. I truly believe they can go out and compete with every team, especially in the division."
James White weighs in on why he believes the Patriots will surprise teams this season pic.twitter.com/bTI3h90n0g
Beetle: Why does he think the Patriots will compete in the AFC East? Why does this man believe this? Why?
Zolak: I don’t know because I hear good things, and then I hear bad things, which kind of levels me out
Beetle: Levels you out to how many wins?
Zolak: I said to you, max of seven.
Beetle: Alright, max seven. We should maybe take a log, like create a log and (producer Josh) Fowler we can make a graphic.
Zolak: I can draw a picture of a log.
Beetle: Just like, ‘Captain’s Log. May 28, Zolak’s Log. Seven wins.’ OK, you’ve got them at max seven. Is that how we should do it with the most amount of wins you think they could have?
Zolak: Yeah, I like that. I kind of like that.
Beetle: Is that a different way to do it this year?
McKone: Yeah, what’s their ceiling?
Beetle: OK, I’m going to go — again, this is everything goes right for them — six.
Zolak: I knew it. It’s going to be the same number he had.
McKone: I’m going to go glass half full, and I’m going to go seven as well.
Beetle: Wow, OK. So max seven, max six, max seven.
Zolak: Based on everybody else and how they’re talked about around here — not just the station but in Boston and New England — I think that’s a relatively positive response by the three of us.
Beetle: OK, is six or seven wins getting you into the picture in the AFC East? God no! What are we talking about?
Zolak: I don’t get it. I don’t know. I don’t know what he’s seeing or who he’s talking to. I love him.
Beetle: What is he talking about? It’s a bold take. I appreciate he’s going out on a limb because he knows he’s going to face some blowback on that take but he’s sticking to it.
Zolak: So he’s saying that from the running back perspective too because that’s the way he views the game. Does he think (Antonio) Gibson is going to be so much better than people think? As far as giving me a little bit of a third down, they’re going to be able to do things formationally. But still, it’s going to be really strain. I think your receivers are strained. You have no clue what’s going on in left tackle. It’s extremely hard for me to think that they’re going to put up big points on offense that’s got to be a defensive take too. Defense is good. But they’re going to get tested boy, they’re not playing powderpuff quarterbacks. This is not like other years. Not like other years. I’m somewhat level about it. Like I hear things are going really good, and I think I hear some things aren’t going so great.
LISTEN: What would constitute a “successful season” for the Patriots?
Felger & Mazz predict the Patriots wins and losses in 2024
WEEK 1 @ CINCINNATI BENGALS
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Houston Texans at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Joe Burrow missed most of the 2023 season and will look to bounce back in 2024. The Patriots will face Burrow and the Bengals in week 1 in Cincinnati.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 2 VS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 23: DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks lines up during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ersat Lumen Field on November 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks will come to Gillette Stadium during week 2.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..WIN
WEEK 3 @ NEW YORK JETS
Sep 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is injured while being sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots will take their yearly trip to the Meadowlands to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Jets in week 3 on Thursday Night Football.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 4 @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 03: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field after a win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
The Patriots will visit the reigning NFC Champions in week 4 during the 2024 season.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 5 VS MIAMI DOLPHINS
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel walks along the sideline during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Oct. 16, 2022.
Vikings V Dolphins 30The Dolphins will travel to New England in week 5 during the 2024 season.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 6 VS HOUSTON TEXANS
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 20: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans warms up prior to the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Patriots will host 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud and the Texans in week 6.
lger and Mazz say that week will be a….. LOSS
WEEK 7 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (LONDON)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 01: General view inside the stadium prior to the NFL match between Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The Patriots and Jaguars will travel to London in week 7 of the 2024 NFL season.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..WIN
WEEK 8 VS NEW YORK JETS
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 18: Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The Patriots will look to get back to their home winning ways against the Jets at Gillette Stadium in week 8.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 9 @ TENNESSEE TITANS
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 29: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans throws the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
In week 9 the Patriots will travel to Tennessee in 2024 for the first time since 2018.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 10 @ CHICAGO BEARS
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – MAY 10: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 10, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Due to both teams finishing in last place in their respective divisions, the Patriots and Bears will meet in Chicago in week 10.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..WIN
WEEK 11 VS LOS ANGELES RAMS
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams looks on in the fourth quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams will come to Gillette Stadium for the first time since the 2016 season in week 11.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..WIN
WEEK 12 @ MIAMI DOLPHINS
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 03: Tua Tagovailoa #1 and head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speak on the field during the second quarter of the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on December 03, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Patriots have struggled in Miami through the years. This year they’ll travel to Miami in week 12.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 13 VS INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 08: Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts exits the tunnel prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Patriots will host the Indianapolis Colts in week 13.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..WIN
WEEK 14 – BYE WEEK
Nov 3, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots logos on a banner at Deutsche Bank Park (Waldstadion). The stadium is site of the 2023 NFL Frankfurt Games between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs (Nov. 5) and the Patriots and Colts (Nov. 12). Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots will have the latest possible bye week in 2024 by having week 14 as their off week.
WEEK 15 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 24: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass the ball during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Patriots head to the desert to take on the Cardinals in week 15.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 16 @ BUFFALO BILLS
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during their AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The Patriots have lost four consecutive matchups in Buffalo. They’ll look to change that in week 16.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 17 VS LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 03: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers makes a pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers will come to Gillette Stadium in week 17.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
WEEK 18 VS BUFFALO BILLS
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 01: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills watches game action against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
The Patriots will look to once again beat the Bills at Gillette Stadium, this time in week 18.
Felger and Mazz say that week will be a…..LOSS
Jan 17, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo (R) addresses media with owner Robert Kraft (L) at a press conference at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The Final Record Prediction from Felger and Mazz is……5-12. Another top-5 pick in the Draft!
