The Patriots went 4-13 last season, but their win total for this season is set at 8.5 -- and many people believe they'll hit the over. Perhaps the biggest reason for that optimism is head coach Mike Vrabel.
The team acted swiftly to fire Jerod Mayo last year after just one season, because owner Robert Kraft knew that Vrabel was available.
And while Vrabel should get the Patriots back on track after two miserable seasons, his history as a head coach in Week 1 could dampen some enthusiasm for New England's Week 1 game against the Raiders.
After going 2-1 in his first three Week 1 games in Tennessee, Vrabel and the Titans lost their next three season openers from 2021-23, giving him a Week 1 coaching record of 2-4.
Vrabel was asked if there was any takeaway from those three losses.
"No, just have to play better," Vrabel said, via a transcript distributed by the team. "Missed a field goal. Got boat raced by Arizona. Just play better, take care of the football, win the second half, things like that. (That's what I'm) focused on. You look at everything, every game, and you want to win them all. A couple plays in every game. I don't know who the third one was -- Giants, we missed a field goal. I don't know what else."
A reporter informed Vrabel that the other loss came against the Saints.
"Close one," Vrabel recalled of the 16-15 loss. "Couldn't stop them at four minute. Turnovers in the red zone. That'll do it to you."
All of those principles apply to allfootball games, not just season openers. But with Vrabel ushering in an era of moderately high expectations of Patriots football, there will be some added pressure to deliver a victory right out of the gates.
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