NFL predictions 2020: Patriots final record projection, Super Bowl odds & more to know

Welcome to the CN1 era.

While that doesn't have as good a ring as "TB12," Cam Newton is now a New England Patriot, Tom Brady is not, and everything is upside down in the 2020 NFL world.

The Patriots, already facing a rash of opt outs in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, still have Bill Belichick, who is very likely ready to prove to the world that he was the answer for New England's success, not as much Tom Brady.

New England is ready to usher in a new era of Patriot football — complete with new uniforms and everything — but it might not be easy.

Here's why:

MORE NFL PREDICTIONS:
SN's complete 2020 standings projections & playoff picks

Patriots record prediction for 2020

• Record: 9-7
• Division: No. 2 in AFC East
• Playoffs: No. 6 seed in the AFC

Iyer's take:

The Patriots are still figuring out QB between Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham. Their backfield, offensive line, receiving corps all have some questions, too. Their defense lost quite a bit in free agency and opt outs. Still, this is the scheming combination of Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick, and they will find a way to make the adjustments to make the AFC tournament without Tom Brady. 

Rivera's take:

Bill Belichick sure has his work cut out for him in 2020.

Regardless of how you feel about the symbiotic relationship between Belichick and now-former QB Tom Brady, the way the Patriots went about replacing Brady was confusing. 

Eventually culminating in the signing of Cam Newton, New England seemed largely content with heading into the season with Jarrett Stidham at QB. Some reports also pegged FIU's James Morgan is a potential target for the Pats in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he was selected by AFC East rival New York in the fourth round.

Ultimately, sticking a versatile talent like Newton with Josh McDaniels will open up the playbook for the Pats OC. Where the questions lie are at skill positions: the team is really, really going to need 2019 first-round pick N'Keal Harry to be better than he was last season. 

Still, Bill Belichick is Bill Belichick, and in the past he's found ways to win games without Tom Brady. Adding a presumably healthy Newton to the QB room opens up a lot of things for the New England offense (even for a year), and Belichick's perpetual ability to get the most out of all areas of his roster means the rash number of opt outs in key spots the Patriots have had heading into 2020 will probably be forgotten come the start of the season.

Until they're not, the Pats are the Pats, and they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Final record: 11-5

Patriots 2020 win total, Super Bowl odds

• Win total: Over/under 9
• Super Bowl odds: +2000

Plus-2000 odds for the Patriots winning the Super Bowl is tantalizing, and the O/U on the win total is right where it should be. 

The Patriots have a tough schedule (see below), but they'll figure it out and win over that nine mark. They always do.

Patriots schedule 2020

The Pats have some challenging away games at the Chiefs, Seahawks and Rams, but they have an equally favorable home schedule.