To the chagrin of football fans from coast to coast – Colorado and Washington excluded – the New England Patriots will not be suiting up on Super Bowl Sunday. Yes, it’s a disappointing way to kick off 2014 but as Patriots nation has made abundantly clear, there’s always next year.

MassInc Polling Group released its Q1 Trend Data which shows that of the 502 residents surveyed, 431 of whom are registered voters, a solid “43 percent of residents think the Pats will make the Super Bowl next year; 35 percent think they will win the big game.”

Compare that with the fact that 43 percent think it’s time for Senator Ed Markey to be replaced and you have to admit, optimism amongst those who bleed red, silver and blue is running rampant.

Oh, and by the way, some 55 percent think Massachusetts is headed in the right direction compared to the 31 percent that think the commonwealth needs new leadership.

“While we are seeing a hiatus in the partisan budget warfare, many Massachusetts residents believe there is more to come,” said Steve Koczela, President of The MassINC Polling Group. “This is holding down the overall confidence measure from more substantial improvement,” as are hopes of a Patriots playoff run in 2015.

So while you’re watching the Denver Peyton Mannings play the Seattle Beast Modes, just remember in the back of your minds that there’s always next year.