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New England Patriots 2016 Season Prediction

By Jaydeen Allen

Jan 27, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXVIII championship ring to commemorate the New England Patriots victory over the Carolina Panthers on February 1, 2004 on display at the at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 27, 2016; Canton, OH, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXVIII championship ring to commemorate the New England Patriots victory over the Carolina Panthers on February 1, 2004 on display at the at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Week 3 – Houston Texans at New England Patriots *CBS 8:25pm EST* 

Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) speak after the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) speak after the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Patriots 2.0 or as most would call them, the Houston Texans.

With former Patriots offensive co-order Bill O’Brien as the head coach of the Texans, it seems as if the Patriots have been looking at a cheap, Wal-mart version of themselves. There are a lot of Patriots influence on this roster, whether it’s apart of the coaching staff or the players.

Former Patriots Defensive Tackle Vince Wilfork will be making his first appearance in Foxboro since 2014, but with a different team. Expect a huge applause and cheers from Patriots fans as they did not get to properly say goodbye to one of their favourite players.

All that aside, this could be a game where the Patriots struggle. With or without a J.J. Watt that is 100%, it will still be a difficult game. JJ Watt’s importance to his team almost matches that of Gronkowski to the Patriots offense. With a difficult defensive line to block that is being led by former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, Garoppolo will need to be able to get the ball out of his hands fast or he could be on the ground for most of the night. It might also be a challenge to run the ball against this team, but it will be pivotal that New England does not abandon the run early.

The Patriots secondary will also have their hands full with a stacked Texans receiving core that consists of DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller, Braxton Miller, and Cecil Shorts III. Yikes. The Texans also signed RB Lamar Miller during this offseason. He has been somewhat under the radar the past few seasons, and if in the right offense could flourish.

However, new Texans QB Brock Osweiler will not have an easy night, as the Patriots defense is vastly underrated. For the Texans, signing Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million dollar contract off of a small sample is rather questionable. He struggled against pressure and looked confused in the pocket at times last season.

This game will be determined on which defense will be able to take over the game.

20. 47. 16. 10. Final

Record: 2-1

Next: Week 4 - Vexatious Ryan

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