Predicting each of the Patriots' final 5 games (draft positioning comes into play)

The Patriots 2024 season has been disappointing, to say the least, but it has also gone mostly as expected. After firing Bill Belichick during the offseason and choosing Jerod Mayo to succeed him, it was clear a rebuild was in the works from top to bottom, and one of the most important positions on the team was set to undergo a significant change.

That led to the trade of Mac Jones and the selection of Drake Maye to become the team's newest starting quarterback. It didn't happen until Week 6, and the team isn't built to properly support him and lead to success, but he has already proven to be the real deal so far.

Unfortunately, because of the offense around him not being up to par and the defense seemingly falling apart in front of our eyes, the Patriots have lost more games than they have won, prompting a lot of concerned takes regarding the state of the team moving forward.

From the fear of ruining Maye in his most crucial years in the NFL to demanding most of the coaching staff be fired, the continued losses and seeming dysfunction have not made the 2024 season the most enjoyable experience for fans to watch.

Now that they're heading into Week 13, there are just five games left on the schedule and a good opportunity to end the season better than it began. The problem is that it's hard to believe that will actually happen, even if their ending record is better than it was last year.

Predicting each of the Patriots' final 5 games of the 2024 season

Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts

After their abysmal performance against the Dolphins last week, it's hard to have any faith that the Patriots can get it done against the Colts, no matter how much they have dominated them through their iconic rivalry.

But it is a home game, which works in their favor. They were embarrassed against a divisional rival, meaning they have a lot to prove this week. So, the Colts are the perfect team to turn things around against.

Of all their upcoming games, it seems like their best chance is against a team that has lost four of their last five games with a questionable quarterback.

Record: 4-9

Week 15: @ Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have had an up-and-down season and are currently benefitting from the downfall of the perennial division winners, the San Francisco 49ers. They lost in Week 12 to a familiar foe in the Seahawks, but opposite of the Colts, the Cardinals have won five of their last five games.

That seems like a recipe for disaster for the Patriots, who will be coming off their Week 14 bye week coming into this game. Because recent history hasn't shown we can have much belief in them getting the job done, and we have no idea how they bounce back after the bye, it's probably safer to believe they won't win this one.

Record: 4-10

Week 16: @ Buffalo Bills

We are yet to see how Drake Maye will match up with the Bills during his rookie season, and it's not ideal that their first meeting is in Buffalo.

They continue to be the division leaders, and there is no sign of that changing anytime soon. Even though their offense isn't the same as it used to be, Josh Allen is still performing at a high level, and he does that even more when playing in front of the home crowd.

Record: 4-11

Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

It's certainly a benefit to have the season's final two games played at Gillette Stadium, especially when a team from the West Coast has to make the trip over. It also helps that the Patriots have been historically good against them, having an 11-4 record against them since the 2001 season.

Their last meeting during the 2023 season was a snooze fest. Quarterback Justin Herbert played uncharacteristically poorly and won the game 6-0 in Foxboro. That team was more filled with offensive firepower than this year's roster, but there's little faith that the Patriots will be able to shut down their new high performers this year.

Record: 4-12

Week 18: vs. Buffalo Bills

Finishing the season strong on their home turf would be the best scenario for the Patriots to close out the year, especially against a team like the Bills.

They could benefit from Buffalo having already locked up playoff positioning by Week 18, allowing them to rest their starters and not be super competitive. That would likely make this a much easier game for the Patriots than if they do play the final game of the regular season, and for that reason alone, let's say the Patriots win this game.

Record: 5-11

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