Last week, we conducted a poll among Herald readers to gauge their predictions on how far the New England Patriots would advance in the postseason. With over 200 responses, there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding the team’s playoff prospects.
According to the results, 39% of respondents believe that the Patriots are on track to reach the AFC Championship. Meanwhile, 23.3% predict that the team will face elimination in the Divisional Round against the Texans this weekend, signaling varying levels of confidence among fans.
In a show of boldness, 12.4% of participants expressed faith that the Patriots will progress to the Super Bowl, while an even more substantial 20% are convinced that the team will win the championship altogether. Notably, the poll was launched prior to the Patriots’ Wild Card matchup against the Chargers, in which they secured a decisive 16-3 victory. This may have influenced the optimism, as only 5.2% expected the team to be eliminated by Los Angeles.
The Patriots are set to host the Texans at Gillette Stadium this Sunday at 3 p.m., following the Texans’ victory over the Steelers in the Wild Card round. Historically, the Patriots have fared well against the Texans in the playoffs, having defeated them in the divisional rounds of both the 2012 and 2016 seasons.
As the Patriots gear up for this crucial matchup, the support and confidence from fans may energize the team, as they strive to make a deep postseason run once again.