Another NFL season is upon us, and the football faithful in Massachusetts are preparing for another season of cheering on the New England Patriots.
Fans have an added reason to be amped up, as this will be the first season that betting on NFL games in Massachusetts is legal using MA online sports betting apps.
To get you ready for the action, PlayMA is taking a closer look at New England’s history in Week 1 games under head coach Bill Belichick.
New England tends to win season openers
Since taking over as New England’s head coach in 2000, Belichick has led the Patriots to a record of 16-7 in Week 1 games. Eight of those 16 wins have come by double digits.
The Pats won an impressive 10 straight Week 1 games from 2004-2013, and have lost Week 1 games in consecutive years just twice since Belichick took over.
The Patriots begin the 2023-24 season on Sunday, Sept. 10, at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. It is not an easy assignment, as the Eagles are the reigning NFC champions.
But New England’s winning ways in Week 1 games with Belichick at the helm should give the team some optimism. If you are confident in New England coming out on top, you can bet on the Patriots using eight online sportsbooks in the Commonwealth.
Scoring averages in Week 1 games
Under Belichick, the Patriot offense has averaged 24.1 points per game, while the defense has allowed an average of 20.3 points per game.
However, it should be noted that the Patriots have scored just 21, 16 and 7 points in the three season openers since the departure of Tom Brady. The 7 points in last year’s game is the fewest amount of points the Pats have scored in a season opener since 2003, when they scored zero.
The Pats have dropped their past two season openers, so they will be looking to right the ship on Sept. 10 against the Eagles.
If you are planning on attending that game, or any home game this season, don’t forget to check out our visitors guide for Patriots games at Gillette Stadium.
Mac Jones Week 1 numbers
In his two Week 1 starts in 2021 and 2022, Mac Jones has threw for 281 yards and 213 yards respectively. In total, he’s completed 50 of his 69 pass attempts, good for a completion percentage of .725.
In those two games, he has thrown for two touchdowns and one interception.
Rivalry renewed with Philadelphia
This will be the first ever Week 1 meeting between the Patriots and Eagles. It will be the first meeting between the teams since Nov. 17, 2019 when Patriots went into Philly and won 17-10.
It also marks Philadelphia’s first trip to Gillette Stadium since Dec. 6, 2015. The Eagles walked away with a 35-28 victory in that game.
The Patriots and Eagles have met a total of 15 times, and have even met twice in the Super Bowl. The Eagles lead the all-time series 8-7, so the Pats will be looking to even up the head-to-head record.
Other Week 1 Patriots facts and figures
- The Patriots have been shut out just once in Week 1 under Belichick (2003).
- Opponents have never been shut out by the Patriots in Week 1 under Belichick.
- The Patriots have scored 30 or more points in seven Week 1 games since 2000.
- As a franchise, New England has 35 wins on opening weekend, which is third most in the AFC.
- Belichick has 18 Week 1 wins under his belt in his career, which is the most of any active coach in the NFL
