Game by game projections for the 2022 New England Patriots

Projecting the 2022 New England Patriots season, Weeks 17-18

Week 17: Miami Dolphins

Could the New England Patriots actually lose both of their matchups with the Miami Dolphins this season?

Miami appears to be ready to spring into contention behind an improved offense and a hopeful year three jump from Tua Tagovailoa.

The Dolphins may have to deal with the inconsistency that comes with a first year Head Coach, but General Manager Chris Grier has loaded this roster up with talent so much, it’s almost hard to think that the Dolphins won’t win a bunch of games.

Week 18: Buffalo Bills

At this point in the season, the Bills are likely to have already wrapped the division up, but they might be playing for playoff seeding.

If they’ve already locked themselves into one of the first four seeds, they would likely rest some starters, so the Patriots could get a pity win here.

We won’t know until then, but resting starters doesn’t happen with a ton of frequency.

Even if the Bills were to rest Josh Allen, for example, I really can’t see the Patriots winning this contest.

I like the Patriots roster–I think it’s mostly solid, but what we’re talking about with the Bills here is a Super Bowl caliber roster, one that has led to the Bills being favored by most betting books to win the big game.

It’s not like this is another good team–this is an exceptionally well-built team that is set up for success for the next 10 years.

Final 2022 record: 7-10

A 7-10 season would be the team’s second losing season in three years, and it would begin conversations of wanting substantive change within the organization.