Twelve is a number Patriots fans will forever be rather fond of. They’re also fond of being considered a Super Bowl contender. So when the two favorites of the Foxboro Faithful collide, it merits mention, even if potentially a little far-fetched.
Sports Illustrated published their list of the 12 teams they believe are legitimate Super Bowl contenders for the 2023 season. And that’s right, you guessed it…your New England Patriots made the list, landing at, of all spots, 12. Writes SI’s Conor Orr:
“The Patriots missed their opportunity to tear down the roster and are in a perpetual win-now mode, and I wonder whether the reunion with Bill O’Brien has sparked some vintage confidence in Foxborough. Again, maybe not. But what if this team grinds out 10 ugly wins this season and stumbles into the playoffs with Mac Jones playing as well as any quarterback rounding out his third season in the NFL (and with, unquestionably, his best quarterbacks coach)?”
If the Patriots are to win more games than they lose in 2023 and “stumble” into the playoffs, it will likely be thanks to the combination of Mac Jones and Bill O’Brien creatively rebuilding the Pats offense while the defense keeps them in games against a loaded AFC East and conference overall. Their task is tall and their work cut out for them as they have the toughest strength of schedule in 2023. If they do manage to win 10 games and that earns a postseason bid then they’ll have earned it.
Some may say this idea is outrageous, that it’s silly season in late July and positivity should reign supreme, which is fair. Also of note, including the Patriots is good for business because of their notoriety as a national team (a reputation earned thanks to Tom Brady and his epic two-decade run). Plus, Pats fans like to engage whenever they see their team on a list, for better or worse. Only 14 teams of the 32 in the NFL make the postseason, so that alone would be a good sign of progress in 2023. Owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick would be pleased, as would the fanbase starving to see the team headed back in the right direction…or at least the one they became accustomed to for 20-plus seasons.
