I understand your position. I suspect that Belichick strongly disagrees. The team went 12-4 last year and could have easily been 13-3. Perhaps the schedule is worth 2 games. So that has this season at 10-6 or 11-5 if personal were equal to the value produced in 2019.
Most folks here are predicting 5-8 wins and no playoffs, hoping for 9 as you do. The bettors in Vegas has us at 8-9 wins, with a current line of 8.5 wins. The over has us at 9 or more wins and a likely playoff berth. The under has us at 8 wins or less, and likely out of the playoffs.
So, let's see where we are. I understand that we might have a significant free agent pickup, but since a significant pickup would likely be accompanied by a trade of Thuney, I'll ignore such possible changes.
HOW MUCH WORSE IS THE 2020 TEAM, COMPARED TO 2019
We are worse at QB and LB, and better in almost all other units.
SPECIAL TEAMS (better)
P - same
K - better
ST - We've lost Ebner. King (IR last year), Slater, Bolden and Bethel are back. We've added Davis.
DEFENSE (a bit worse)
DL - a bit worse (lost Shelton; added Allen, have a more experience Winovich and Cowart)
LB - worse (the rookies can't make up for the loss of Van Noy, Collins and Roberts)
CB - the same
S - the same (Phillips and Duggar should be able to make up for the loss of Harmon, and for the fact that McCourty and Chung may be in their last years)
OFFENSE (you judge)
QB - worse (but how much compared to 2019 Brady)
WR - better (more health for Edelman, sans and Harry; more experience for Harry and Myers; the addition of Byrd and Lee). This unit is still one player away from AVERAGE
RB - same (Harris does know the system better)
TE - much better (not a high bar, but I like the rookies)
OT - better (we had Newhouse starting; Wynn, Casnnon and Cajuste are healthier)
OC - Andrews and Froholdt are both healthier, and an upgrade over Karras
OG - The starters are back for now. Froholdt is a fine backup. Enwenu and Eluemunor are OK as our end of the roster backups.