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How will the Patriots top last season? An unexpected but thrilling run to the Super Bowl ended with a crushing defeat by the Seahawks, but the road back is considerably more difficult in 2026. It begins next Wednesday with a Super Bowl rematch in Seattle. Here are the predictions for the Patriots’ season from seven Globe reporters and columnists. Chad Finn Patriots: 12-5 Mike Vrabel’s comments about the roster lacking depth? Valid (Or is that Vralid?). The Patriots were remarkably healthy last season, a significant factor in going 14-3 in the regular season and winning the AFC championship. Against a tougher schedule this time, they’ll need their best returning lettermen to remain healthy, as well as dazzling acquisition A.J. Brown, an accomplished receiver whose skills align perfectly with quarterback Drake Maye’s talents. If they can stay out the medical tent and off the injured list, look out, because this will be the best team in the AFC. Again. AFC East: Patriots AFC North: Ravens AFC South: Texans AFC West: Chargers AFC wild cards: Bills, Chiefs, Bengals NFC East: Cowboys NFC North: Bears NFC South: Buccaneers NFC West: Rams NFC wild cards: Seahawks, Eagles, 49ers Super Bowl: Rams over Patriots. The only way the Patriots could fend off Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald, and the Rams’ ridiculously talented defensive line is if they somehow figure out how to clone the 1978 version of John Hannah … and make multiple copies. Christopher L. Gasper Patriots: 11-6 The Patriots aren’t a one-hit wonder, but it’s going to be hard to hit the high notes of last year’s Super Bowl season, even with more high-end talent to back up franchise frontman Drake Maye. Money Maye will rack up yards and points with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in the fold. But the roster depth issues that coach Mike Vrabel highlighted are real, especially on defense, where the Patriots will be hard-pressed to duplicate last year’s performance. Plus, their 2026 schedule is more arduous than the slate that yielded 14 wins last year, ranking sixth in opponents’ winning percentage. The Patriots aren’t going to catch anyone by surprise. Instead, they’re going to get everyone’s best shot. They’ll be a better team with a worse record. AFC East: Bills AFC North: Bengals AFC South: Texans AFC West: Chiefs AFC wild cards: Patriots, Broncos, Ravens NFC East: Eagles NFC North: Lions NFC South: Buccaneers NFC West: Rams NFC wild cards: Packers, 49ers, Commanders Super Bowl: Bills over Rams. Josh Allen ends the long regional nightmare of accursed western New York football fans by upsetting the superteam Rams on their home field with a game-winning drive. It’s a script worthy of Hollywood and Allen’s actress wife, Hailee Steinfeld. Christopher Price Patriots: 10-7 Before last season, I had to be talked into seven wins for New England. This time, I’ll adjust accordingly. With the addition of elite talents such as A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and Kevin Byard, this is a better roster than the one that left the field at the end of Super Bowl LX. That being said, they’ll win fewer games because of a rougher schedule, as well as the fact that they won’t sneak up on anyone this year. They’ll still dominate the AFC East and get back to the postseason, but the depth issues at some key areas leave them little margin for error. AFC East: Patriots AFC North: Ravens AFC South: Texans AFC West: Chargers AFC wild cards: Bills, Chiefs, Bengals NFC East: Eagles NFC North: Bears NFC South: Buccaneers NFC West: Rams NFC wild cards: Giants, Lions, Seahawks Super Bowl: Rams over Chargers. SoFi Stadium gets an all-southern California Super Bowl. The expectation level around the Rams was off the charts even before Aaron Donald returned. Now, it’s Super Bowl or bust for Sean McVay’s team. Dan Shaughnessy Patriots: 10-7 Drake Maye to A.J. Brown will remind us of Tom Brady to Randy Moss in 2007. Unfortunately, as we all know, New England’s schedule is much tougher than last year’s, and a start of 2-2, or even 1-3, is certainly possible. New England will fret over the Patriots’ feeble pass rush and shaky protection for Maye. The good news is the continuing embarrassment of Tomato Cans R Us franchises in Miami and New York. That’s four division layups, which ought to be enough to contend for the weak division and get the Patriots into the playoffs. AFC East: Bills AFC North: Ravens AFC South: Titans AFC West: Broncos AFC wild cards: Patriots, Chargers, Chiefs NFC East: Eagles NFC North: Lions NFC South: Buccaneers NFC West: Seahawks NFC wild cards: Packers, Bears, Rams Super Bowl: Lions over Bills. In a year in which the Knicks finally won the NBA championship, let’s root for a Super Bowl of punchline franchises that border Canada. Josh Allen and the Bills should get some bounce from their new stadium, located just south of Lake America. The Lions, who have won three playoff games since they were NFL champs in 1957, are more than due. After Super Bowl LXI is won, they can bring the Lombardi Trophy across the Gordie Howe Bridge and make the Joe Louis Greenway Detroit’s Canyon of Heroes. Tara Sullivan Patriots: 9-8 Last year’s joy-filled romp to the Super Bowl is a hard act to follow. The schedule is way tougher and there’s no more sneaking up on teams, with all eyes on what these Patriots can do for an encore. Even if they regress, this remains a team very much on the rise. Drake Maye is happy to have a new weapon in A.J. Brown along with old friends Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson, and he’s no doubt out to erase the sting of a terrible Super Bowl performance. But as always, the questions around the offensive line are legit. It has to be better in allowing Josh McDaniels to get the offense in high gear. AFC East: Bills AFC North: Bengals AFC South: Jaguars AFC West: Chiefs AFC wild cards: Texans, Ravens, Broncos NFC East: Cowboys NFC North: Lions NFC South: Buccaneers NFC West: Rams NFC wild cards: Bears, Seahawks, Packers Super Bowl: Rams over Bengals. Not sure how anyone can bet against the Rams this season, with talk already wondering about an undefeated season. They have a championship coach in Sean McVay, the reigning NFL MVP in quarterback Matthew Stafford, and the two best defensive players of this generation in Myles Garrett and the returning Aaron Donald. Sign me up now for a rematch from five years ago. Pick against the Rams (again) at your own risk. Ben Volin Patriots: 10-7 Their roster might be better — specifically at wide receiver and offensive line — but the schedule is tougher, the injury luck will probably turn, and they’re going to have a tough time replicating last year’s success. I see a wild-card berth and a quick playoff exit in their future. AFC East: Bills AFC North: Steelers AFC South: Colts AFC West: Chargers AFC wild cards: Patriots, Ravens, Chiefs NFC East: Cowboys NFC North: Packers NFC South: Saints NFC West: Rams NFC wild cards: Seahawks, Eagles, Lions Super Bowl: Rams over Chargers. I love LA (we love it!). The game is at SoFi Stadium and the star-studded Rams beat their crosstown rivals. Nicole Yang Patriots: 10-7 I know earlier this summer I predicted the Patriots to win 11 games, but this team’s lack of depth, particularly defensively, is concerning. Although the 2025 Patriots stayed relatively healthy, it’s unrealistic to assume this year’s team will be as fortunate. An injury at linebacker, cornerback, safety, edge rusher, or offensive line might be too much to overcome — especially with their tough schedule. Still, the Patriots made enough improvements to at least return to the postseason. AFC East: Bills AFC North: Bengals AFC South: Texans AFC West: Chargers AFC wild cards: Patriots, Jaguars, Broncos NFC East: Eagles NFC North: Lions NFC South: Saints NFC West: Rams NFC wild cards: Bears, Seahawks, Packers Super Bowl: Rams over Texans. Last season saw two unexpected teams advance to the Super Bowl, but this season will end with the early favorite raising the Lombardi. Chad Finn can be reached at chad.finn@globe.com. Christopher L. Gasper is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at christopher.gasper@globe.com. Follow him @cgasper and on Instagram @cgaspersports. Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social. Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at daniel.shaughnessy@globe.com. Follow him @dan_shaughnessy. Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at tara.sullivan@globe.com. Follow her @Globe_Tara. Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com. Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.