DJK’s Unpopular Opinion: The Patriots May Lose Tomorrow Night
Tomorrow is the biggest night in Patriots history – well, maybe since like six months ago. Minor details!
It seems the local media is much more scared of the Pittsburg Steelers than the national media. The Patriots are currently a six-point favorite to win tomorrow night. Personally, I’m the guy who plays it safe, I could see both teams winning in a close game, or a blowout coming from either side. Pretty bold prediction, huh?
But genuinely, my unpopular opinion is to be prepared for the Patriots to lose Sunday night. The fun and games of the banner drop and celebration are awesome but it wouldn’t be the first time the Pats dropped a banner and got wiped off the field; just go back to the opening game of the 2017 season, when the Kansas City Chiefs won 42-27 on the Gillette Stadium turf, and most of us remember that game was really never close.
I must say, I am one of the few who think the Steelers used “addition by subtraction” and got better by trading arguably the NFL's best wide receiver in Antonio Brown. They still have a top-tier quarterback in Big Ben Roethlisberger, a solid running game, and a defense that led the league in sacks last year (not to mention the Patriots just lost starting center David Andrews).
The Patriots defense has high expectations this year, and I will say from my own memory, almost every time that defense has expectations, they seem to disappoint, at least early in the year. Everyone always thinks the dynasty is over by Week 4 because the team takes a few weeks to hit peak form.
So I know NO ONE ever wants to think the Patriots could lose a game, especially this one, but if the Patriots get caught off guard celebrating last year's achievements, they WILL lose tomorrow’s game against the Steelers.