Gronk's Guess: How Many Games Will Patriots Win?

Rob Gronkowski is used to New England Patriots teams where seasons were guaranteed to last into late January. Does he foresee a similar fate for his Foxborough descendants?

That's apparently up to them, as the legendary tight end, appearing on "The Dan and Ninko Show," was realistically optimistic when asked about the Patriots' prospects entering the upcoming season. Many have pegged the Patriots as the cellar-dwellers in the revamped AFC East but Gronkowski perhaps provided one of the friendlier forms of bulletin board material.

“I think they’re going to be about … 9-8,” Gronkowski told hosts Rob Ninkovich and Dan O'Brien. "I say nine, 10 (wins) maximum."

A 10-win season in last year's chase to Super Bowl thrust the Patriots past Miami and into a three-way tie for the trio of AFC Wild Card spots alongside the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens. This time around, Gronkowski notes, climbing up the conference leaderboard won't be so easy.

The AFC East division retains two postseason teams from last year's tournament, including the Buffalo Bills and the aforementioned Miami Dolphins. But Gronkowski warned that one of the teams that his Patriots used to routinely bully ... the New York Jets ... will be no pushover this season with Aaron Rodgers throwing the ball.

True to form, Gronkowski couldn't help but slink in a thinly-veiled jab at the Jets, but nonetheless warned about the dangers presented by Rodgers and a plethora of young receiving talent.

"I think the Jets are bringing some firepower," Gronkowski said, indirectly bringing up 2021's second overall pick Zach Wilson and his harrowing performances against New England. "They did need a change at quarterback. Their quarterback play, if you watch them play the Patriots, I mean, they just throw the ball up in the air and there’s no one around 15 yards besides a New England player.”

So if the Patriots are trapped in a division with two returning playoff teams and a much-improved punching bag looking for revenge, what gives Gronkowski the confidence that they'll be able to get back on the right of the win column this year? Like many others sporing Flying Elvis gear, Gronkowski has faith in a New England defense led by dominant pass rushers like Matt Judon and Josh Uche.

"They got a good defense, solid defense.” Gronkowski lauded. “I don’t think they need to improve in that category.”

The Patriots will get their first chance to prove Gronkowski correct ... or exceed his expectations ... on Sept. 11, when they open the 2023 season against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.