Although both franchises underwent massive changes this offseason, a lot appeared to be swinging in the Patriots' favor, giving them some momentum for the season opener. Then there was the storyline of Josh McDaniels facing the team that fired him in 2023 for the first time, with fans hoping he would seek some revenge in his return to the Patriots. But that's far from what happened, despite the sporadic moments of impressive play throughout the afternoon.
For decades, nobody really knew what former New England Patriots "Football Research Director" Ernie Adams actually did for the greatest dynasty in sports history. All we know is that Adams played a pivotal role as Bill Belichick's childhood right-hand man, first leaving Wall Street to join Belichick's staff with the Cleveland Browns in 1991, and eventually following him to Foxboro.