Cancel the 2009 Season, Patriots Apparently Kings Once Again

Can we please bring back this logo? It's the only thing I like about New England.

Coming off an 11-5 season which did not produce a playoff berth, the Patriots seek revenge with a healthy all-world QB. The Patriots exploded out of the gate in 2009 and had a season on par with their 16-0 2007 regular season. Wait, what?

Yeah. That's what Hector Longo is surmising, two days after the NFL released the 2009 schedule. Despite having the third toughest schedule based on opponents' 2008 records, Longo believes New England will soar to a 14-2 regular season. The two games they are set to lose, more than five months before they take place? September 20 at the Jets and November 20 at New Orleans.

Sept. 20 at New York Jets, 1 p.m. — Short week on the road after the Monday nighter in a hostile environment. Brett Favre isn't around to mess things up for the New Yorkers. More likely, the Pats simply come out empty and drop a head-shaker, 1-1.

Nov. 30 at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m. — Bill Belichick just doesn't lose in December, so the Pats pick Monday night of all times for their second and final stumble of the campaign. New England's secondary has no answer for Drew Brees, and Brady is merely human, subject to all that wild Crescent City noise. New England is 9-2 and ready for the stretch run.

For Miami, I hope the staff gets wind of what this journalist is spewing.

Nov. 8 vs. Miami, 1 p.m. — Ahhh!!! It's the attack of the "Wildcat" offense. Run for your lives. Or not. Pats welcome the fish to a chilly Gillette and unceremoniously thump Chad Pennington repeatedly. He has no time to find receivers as the newly youth-infused Pats linebacking corps has old noodle-arm running for his life. Brady hits the halfway point with 30 TD passes, and nobody notices the lack of a running game with New England now 7-1.

Dec. 6 at Miami, 8:20 p.m. — Don't be surprised if this one is moved by the NFL's flex scheduling to 1 p.m. due to the nation's lack of interest. There is no Miami magic in '09, just a trip back to the land of double-digit losses. New England helps pave the way and locks up the AFC East in the process at 10-2.

...
So there you have it. One part intellect, one part clairvoyance and hopefully in your eyes, one part humor.

Just one man's humble opinion on your 2009 New England Patriots.

Humble? Riiiiight. Oh New England arrogance. It never ends.