Reiss On Sports Final: Which Games Will Patriots Win Without Tom Brady?
BOSTON (CBS) -- There's a very good chance the Patriots will be without Tom Brady for the first part of the season, as the quarterback prepares to appeal his suspension stemming from the DeflateGate controversy.
Brady was hit with a four-game ban from the NFL last month, and his appeal will reportedly be held on June 23. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will serve as the arbitrator of the hearing.
That means it could be second-year QB Jimmy Garoppolo making the first starts of his career to begin the season. Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com joined WBZ-TV's Sports Final on Sunday night to take a look at the Patriots' first four games of the upcoming season, and whether they can win with or without Brady at quarterback.
Week 1: Thursday, September 10 vs. Steelers
"I think they win the opener against Pittsburgh regardless of who is in there, Garoppolo or Brady," said Reiss. "At home, the emotion of the first game back, all that time to prepare – I like them in that game."
Week 2: Sunday, September 20 at Bills
"I think that second game in Buffalo, whether it was Brady or Garoppolo, is going to be a challenge for the Patriots," said Reiss. "It's a tough spot to be; Buffalo is at home in Week 1 against the Colts and then home in Week 2 against the Patriots. I have them 1-1 after two weeks, [regardless of who the quarterback will be.]"
Week 3: Sunday, September 27 vs. Jaguars
"Week 3 is Jacksonville at home, and I like the Patriots to win that one whether it's Brady or Garoppolo," said Reiss.
Week 5: Sunday, October 11 at Cowboys
"Dallas in Week [5 after their bye week], I think that game with Brady is closer to a win, but with Garoppolo, on the road in that environment, I think closer to a loss," said Reiss.
"So I'll say 2-2, and remember, this is a team who generally, specifically last year, struggles a little bit early in the season as they try to figure things out. It's almost an extension of the preseason and they pick it up as the season goes along," said Reiss. "I say 2-2 with Garoppolo, maybe 3-1 if Brady is there."
Is there a chance all of this is moot when the season begins? Reiss said it's possible Brady's suspension gets reduced to anywhere from one to three games if they can work out an agreement before the appeal, but Brady still may not accept that.
"The question I keep coming back to is, will any games suffice for Tom Brady? Because if you take any games, you're basically acknowledging you did something here. I believe that Tom Brady feels like he has nothing to take games for," said Reiss. "It's a matter of how far he wants to take [his fight]."
Reiss thinks at this point, Brady will be suspended for four games or zero games when it is all said and done.
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