For the first time in a long time — twenty seasons — the offensive huddle of the New England Patriots is missing #12 Tom Brady. It’s a new era for the NFL’s 21st century dynasty. 2020 poses new challenges, but new opportunities for Bill Belichick’s crew.

2019 Record: 12-4 (5-1 in AFC East)

In Tom Brady’s final season in Foxborough, New England started hot, winning the first half of their schedule. Losses to a budding star Lamar Jackson, as well as Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes didn’t raise much suspicion. However, a loss in Week 17 to Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Miami Dolphins dropped the Patriots to the AFC Wild Card weekend. Running into a scorching Derrick Henry spelled the end of a legacy, an era and history. A disappointing end to the greatest reign the sport had ever seen.

Returning Starters: ???

That’s not a typo, everything’s loaded correctly. The Patriots look like a completely different team on both sides of the ball. With eight opt-outs already, the assessment of starters is far from perfect. We know Julian Edelman, Sony Michel and Joe Thuney return to the starting lineup in 2020. After that, we can only ask questions.

On defense, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung opted out leaving sever question marks at the top end of the team’s defensive talent pool. Ja’Whaun Bentley returns and must provide a significant spark to a lacking phase. The McCourty twins provide some stability to the secondary, but nothing perfect.

Key Additions

For starters, Cam Newton is a major upgrade over Jarrett Stidham, though some argue he could provide an update over Tom Brady. Newton sure beats Brady in any athletic comparison, but Cam’s accuracy and injury past leaks skepticism in critics eyes.

Jeremy Chinn, a second round draft choice in April, gives Belichick a possible answer and replacement for the voluntary absence of Chung. If Chinn, an athletic, speedy defensive back from Southern Illinois, slots into the starting role, it might be tough to pry it away once rosters return to normal in 2021.

Season Outlook

I’m wary of Sony Michel’s output. His yards after contact should worry coaches and most fantasy owners, too, but his speed and pure rushing ability gives him tremendous value to this team. Cam Newton has weapons even with the absence of Marquis Lee. Maybe the defense picks up the offense, but maybe we finally see the regression of the New England Patriots that football have craved for years.

Over/Under: 9

Twelve wins last season felt too much like a “last hoorah” for an aging organization. Even with the oxygen pumped in with the acquisition of Cam Newton, I have a hard time seeing this team significantly impact the playoff race, even in a year with expanded seeding. I’ll take u9.0.

Fantasy Watch

Julian Edelman is a fine FLEX option, but if available in the later rounds — nine or ten — Sony Michel provides an intriguing option as a bench RB or FLEX. While his 2020 projected point output isn’t high, it’s due to the presence of James White out of the backfield in the passing game. Expect Michel’s numbers to climb from one season ago as the New England Patriots rebrand themselves with a new offense. Michel on the bench is the only Patriot you need on your roster.

More on the AFC East

Check out The Campus Cover, hosted by myself and Cody Goggin, as we break down each division of the NFL and our best bets. We talked Patriots and the AFC on Monday.