Round Table: 2nd Half Predictions

Stephen: Based on their remaining opponents, the Patriots should go 6-2 over the second half of the season. The two foreseeable losses should come against Houston and San Francisco, although it's tough to count out our pesky division foes. The Dolphins could definitely present two tough games for New England, but I think the Pats make it to at least 10 wins, most likely 11, and win the AFC East.

Raj: I was hoping to have a better first half since not many predicted the Patriots to be 5-3. In fact, they really should be 8-0 because they've only lost their games by 1 or 2 points. However this schedule does get slightly tougher with a couple of opponents in the Houston Texans and the San Francisco 49ers. The rest should be fairly routine in my opinion. In fact I will be going to the Thanksgiving game between the Patriots and Jets in NJ and I expect to see a solid New England win. There will be some bumps in the second half but I predict the Pats finish 7-1 in this stretch. The loss I think will come on the road in Miami (because I'm predicting that the Patriots won't even try in that one).

Jason: Since I predicted the Pats would go 12-4 at the beginning of the season, I'm contractually obligated to predict a 7-1 record in their final 8 games. The toughest remaining games on the schedule are San Francisco and Houston, and both of those games are in New England. I like their odds to at least earn a split of those games.

Derek: The Patriots have swept the AFC East all of one time in Bill Belichick's tenure.  With the team currently 2-0 in the division with four games to go, an 8-0 finish would be a pretty bold call.   Then you have to consider that the Patriots still have the Texans and Niners looming large on the schedule, making such a call even bolder.  But you know what?  I'm feeling pretty darn bold right at the moment.  The Patriots were razor close to going 8-0 during the first half of the season and Bill Belichick's teams tend to play their best football in November and December.  I'm predicting that the Pats will match last year's 13-3 record by finishing perfect down the stretch .