2020 Patriots Questions: Who Will Win The AFC East?
BOSTON (CBS) -- We have finally reached Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season, which is the beginning of a new era for the New England Patriots. In addition to all the unknown that will go with teams playing football during a pandemic, the Patriots are going through quite the change in personnel with Cam Newton taking over for the departed Tom Brady.
No one really knows what to expect in 2020, from both a Patriots standpoint and a league standpoint, but we're going to take a crack at it anyways. The WBZ-TV and CBS Boston Sports team will be answering a handful of questions regarding the Patriots as we count down to kickoff Sunday afternoon against the Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots have had a stranglehold on the AFC East for the last two decades. Will that continue in 2020?
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
The Patriots will win the AFC East.
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
Patriots. Been a long time since they weren't the favorite to win the division, and the Bills have that honor this season. However, I won't bet against Bill Belichick.
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
I am not sold on Buffalo especially now that everyone is jumping on their bandwagon. Pats gave a grind it out 10-6 season and they finish first in the division.
Michael Hurley, CBS Boston
I was 100 percent on the Bill's train before the Patriots signed Cam Newton. But given how healthy he looks, I think Cam sways things back in New England's favor. It won't be easy, but I think something like an 11-5 record for New England will be enough to win the crown for the 3,000th straight season. Sorry, Buffalo.
Matthew Geagan, CBS Boston
I can't see a Bill Belichick team losing more games than they win, even in this year of the great unknown. At worst, they should go 9-7, which won't be enough to win the division. But they could win it at 11-5 or 10-6 if they beat their AFC East counterparts.
But it's not going to be easy, so I'll be a sucker and go with all the national know-it-alls who are picking the Bills. Everyone can yell at me at the end of the season when the Pats get another hat and t-shirt.
More Patriots Questions: Who Will Be MVP? | Who Will Break Out On Defense? | Who Will Leading Receivers In Yards, Touchdowns? | Who Will Lead Charge Out Of The Backfield? | Which Rookie Excites You Most?
You can watch the Patriots kick off their 2020 season Sunday on WBZ-TV — the home of the New England Patriots! Coverage kicks off Sunday at 11:30 a.m. with Patriots GameDay. After the Patriots and the Dolphins square off at 1 p.m., stick to WBZ-TV after the game for Cam Newton's first postgame press conference on Patriots 5th Quarter!
