Sunday 7: Looking forward to Patriots’ games!

1 – The Celtics brought the greatest of joy to the Boston sports scene this past week, bringing home the NBA title to rechristen the City of Champions!

But the season for Finals MVP Jaylen Brown & Co. – and celebratory parade – are over.

The Bruins bowed out of the playoffs already, bringing a little Stanley Cup buzz to a single series win before heading into the offseason.

And the Red Sox are…well, we’re not quite sure. Other than that they are closer to last place than they are the division-leading Yankees, something that would once would have been lamented but these days is suddenly sold as acceptable and even laudable in some circles.

So, really, the next big game the Boston sports world will have to look forward to will involve Jerod Mayo’s new-look, rebuilding Patriots.

For better or worse, it is what it is.

But which New England games this fall might we all most be looking forward to? What better time than the late-June lull in the NFL calendar -- a period when coaches and players alike are enjoying some final summer family time prior to fast-approaching training camp – to rank Patriots’ games in terms of anticipation and interest in this 2024 season of change at Gillette Stadium? Never. So, here goes…

Week 1 @ Bengals: Yes, the season opener is the most intriguing, hopeful, enticing game on the schedule. It’s Mayo’s debut on the sidelines at any level. It also happens to come on the road against Joe Burrow and his talented tandem of wide receivers. The first game of the year should be an optimistic opportunity for all teams, before the reality of competition has a chance to begin to set in. Time for a first impression for Mayo and his team.

2 – Drake Maye’s first start: It still seems that veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett is likely to begin the season as New England’s starter. But Maye has progressed well in the spring and certainly doesn’t look like a guy who needs a full season or more of seasoning before he’s ready to take the field. Whenever that first start comes it will be the biggest game of the season at that point and a first step toward the future of the franchise.

3 – Week 2 Vs. Seahawks: Not only is this the home opener, but it’s also one of the more “winnable” games on the schedule. At least it feels that way. Maybe? It’s also a first chance for the “Foxborough Faithful” home crowd to show up and show out to support the rebuild.

4 – Week 6 Vs. Texans: Many in New England are hopeful that their favorite football team is on the same breakout path Houston took a year ago. A new franchise QB who wasn’t the first passer drafted but might be the best when things shake out. A new youthful head coach who’s a former linebacker with the team. Sure, it may be a hopeful stretch. But even if the Patriots don’t pull it off at least this is a game against one of the more intriguing young teams in the game to look forward to.

5 – Week @ 49ers: The Patriots are not a Super Bowl contender by any stretch, but they will face one in San Francisco. The 49ers were in the big game last February, will be vying to get back and have one of the better rosters in the NFL. Oh, wait, looking forward to this game could be looking forward to a beating on the road. Oh well. Chalk it up to a learning experience.

6 – Week 7 @ Jaguars: Mac Jones’ revenge/reunion game! Maybe. But it’s also another of the few-and-far-between winnable games and happens to be taking place in London at Wembley Stadium. The Patriots still have a massive fan based in Britain, so this could have a home feel. Maybe steal a win on foreign soil? Oh, and if Jones happens to play it might be good news for New England given his track record across the pond.

7 – Week 18 Vs. Bills: If the season goes as poorly and wins are as tough to come by as it appears they might be, the finale will be a saving grace. It will also lead into an offseason in which New England will likely once again have lots of money to spend and a VERY high pick with which to take the next step in the Eliot Wolf-led retooling of the roster. Oh, and maybe there is the chance for an upset to upset Josh Allen’s Bills with a guy under center that many of us have compared to the Buffalo MVP candidate, Maye. If New England pulls the upset, awesome! If not, at least the long season is over and the focus on the offseason action can begin!