New England Patriots football is right around the corner! The team begins its 2023 season on Sunday afternoon, at home against the reigning NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
The start of the regular season puts and end to months and months of speculating, projecting, and predicting. In just a few days, there will finally be real, regular season football to discuss.
READ MORE:
—What to expect from the Patriots’ rookies in 2023
— The Patriots’ coaching staff is putting all their trust in Mac Jones
— Did Bill Belichick drop a major hint about the Patriots’ Week 1 lineup against the Eagles?
However, we’re not out of that window just quite yet. On Monday night, Matt Dollof and I hosted the annual Labor Day Sports Hub Patriots Season Preview show. Over the two hour show, we broke down everything heading into the 2023 regular season.
To wrap up the show, we gave our season predictions. That included individual player awards, as well as the overall outcome. You can hear that segment in the full podcast below, at the end of the show.
2023 Patriots Season Preview Show w/ Alex Barth and Matt Dolloff
(Click here to subscribe to Patriots Audio on 98.5 The Sports Hub.)
So, who doo we see as the Patriots’ standout players this year? Will they accomplish the goal set out by Robert Kraft in March, and return to the playoffs? Here’s a look at their predictions and projections. For full explanations of the picks, hit play on the podcast above (the segment begins at 1:20:22.
Team MVP
Kendrick Bourne of the New England Patriots and Mac Jones of the New England Patriots celebrate with DeVante Parker after Parker’s receiving touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Jan. 8, 2023. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Matt Dolloff: Kendrick Bourne
“He’s going to be the go-to guy for Mac Jones [or] make big plays.”
Alex Barth: Mac Jones
“He completely turns it around…shoves the haters in a locker.”
Defensive Player of the Year
Foxboro, MA, Sep. 25, 2022: New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore reacts during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)
Dolloff: Christian Barmore
“I have faith he’s going to take a step forward and be that interior disruptor that is the hallmark of a lot of great defenses.”
Barth: Kyle Dugger
“He’s going to make the Patriots regret not signing him to a contract extension this offseason.”
Rookie of the year
Jul 27, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (51) works with a weight bag during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Dolloff: Keion White
“He’s athletic, he’s explosive, he’s better than anybody they’ve had at that [5-tech] spot.”
Barth: Keion White
He has the potential to be a true three-down defensive lineman in their system.
Breakout/Surprise player
Green Bay, WI; Aug. 19, 2023: New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) greets teammates before a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports)
Dolloff: Mike Gesicki
“He’s made a lot of big plays in camp, he’s a guy that does things that no one else on the roster can do.”
Barth: Ezekiel Elliott
“I’ve been big on Kendrick Bourne so I’m going to change it up…I think he ends up making a big difference and makes some key plays.”
Do the Patriots make the playoffs?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 10: Head coach Bill Belichick looks on during the fourth quarter of the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on August 10, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Dolloff: Yes.
“They win nine games, they go in as the six seed edging out the Steelers and Jets…and then they get killed by the Chiefs or the Bengals.”
Barth: Yes
“I have them in as the seventh seed.”
