FOXBOROUGH, MA – SEPTEMBER 22: Jarrett Stidham #4 of the New England Patriots prepares to throw during the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Jarrett Stidham isn’t going to make Patriots fans forget about Tom Brady, but he can lead New England to the playoffs in 2020.
There’s always a chance that the Patriots will acquire another quarterback before the 2020 regular season begins, but all indications point to the franchise being comfortable with starting Jarrett Stidham. He can’t pilot New England to a Super Bowl title, but he can return the proud franchise to the playoffs.
Expecting Stidham to replicate what Tom Brady did for the Patriots offense is ridiculous. Instead, New England should focus their attention on helping Stidham play like a league-average starter at the game’s most important position.
If Stidham can make that happen, then the Patriots have a strong chance of defending their AFC East title. If he falters, they could be primed to become one of the league’s most disappointing teams in 2020.
Read on to discover the top five reasons why Stidham should secure a reasonable amount of success this season.
This is why the Patriots can make the playoffs with Jarrett Stidham
5. The Dolphins and Jets are bad
The Buffalo Bills are going to challenge the Patriots for the division title in 2020. Fortunately for Stidham, neither the Dolphins nor the Jets are going to be playoff contenders.
That gives New England four very winnable games inside the division. Stidham should be able to comfortably pilot his team to wins in those contests. Banking four division wins will give Stidham and the Patriots a strong platform for regular-season success.
Beating up on the bottom of the AFC East isn’t going to be pretty for Stidham and the Patriots, but it does raise the quarterback’s floor a great deal. The mediocrity of Miami and New York will give the second-year signal-caller a massive boost in 2020.