5 Gifts the Patriots want for Christmas
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For the most part, the 2015 regular season has gone pretty well for the New England Patriots. As players decorate the their trees with family members, they can feel good about the 12-2 record that tops the rest of the AFC field.
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That being said, the Patriots are well aware that a nice regular season record means nothing if they don’t get a win in February. To reach that point, they’re going to need a little help from Santa Claus.
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Read on for five gifts the Patriots want most for Christmas.
Next: 5. Home field advantage
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
5. Home field advantage
To be owners of the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC this time next week, all the Patriots have to do is take care of business on the road against divisional rival New York Jets. A win in New Jersey in Week 16 is all that separates the Patriots from home field advantage.
They’ve already locked up the much-needed first round bye, giving ailing players an additional week to rest, refuel and recovery. But the foot can’t be let off the gas pedal quite yet, as there is a major difference between home field advantage and playing on the road in the AFC Championship Game (assuming the Patriots get there, of course).
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Playing in a hostile environment in Cincinnati or Pittsburgh, for example, is something the Patriots would like to avoid. If Saint Nick could throw the Patriots a bone and help them navigate through the Gang Green defensive line on Sunday, that would be great.
Speaking of the ground game…
Next: 4. Power running out of Jackson, Iosefa
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4. Power running out of Steven Jackson and Joey Iosefa
In addition to winning on Sunday, the Patriots would also love the gift of a dependable power running game throughout the playoffs. Tom Brady may be the best quarterback in the history of the game, but he is not superhuman. He will not be able to carry this team to a fifth Super Bowl victory by throwing the ball 59 times every game; he needs a ground game to help him out.
That’s where newly signed Jackson steps into the conversation. Jackson hasn’t been involved in the playoffs since his rookie season back in 2004; since then, he’s ripped off eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, but alas, not a single snap in January.
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But it’s not like Jackson is going to all of a sudden be the focal point of the Patriots’ rushing attack. Iosefa displayed impressive downhill running ability against the Tennessee Titans, thoroughly embarrassing Coty Sensabaugh with a lowered shoulder boom.
These two guys need to get a combined 20 carries in each game, and the Patriots will be just fine.
Next: 3. Ball security on punt returns
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3. Ball security on punt returns
Sunday marked the third game in the past four in which the Patriots have had trouble on punt returns. This has got to stop.
Against the Denver Broncos three weeks back, Chris Harper muffed a late punt which led to points, essentially costing the Patriots the game. He got cut the following day.
In Week 14, Keshawn Martin dropped a fumble against his former team, the Houston Texans. The Texans recovered the loose ball deep in Patriots territory.
On Sunday, it was usually trustworthy Danny Amendola who couldn’t field the punt, again leading to a turnover on the wrong side of the field. What is going on?
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Santa Claus may give the gift of ball security on punt returns by healing Julian Edelman in time for Week 17 so that Edelman can get his bearings under him in the return game before the playoffs. Edelman is pretty much the only guy Patriots fans can feel comfortable with on punt returns these days.
Next: 2. Collins, Hightower on the field together
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2. Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower remaining healthy
When these two guys are on the field together manning the middle of the defense, the Patriots’ chances of winning are very good. Hightower has taken over as the Tedy Bruschi of his generation and Collins is bound to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors at some point.
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Week 14 was nice because it was the first time these fellas were back on the field together since Collins came down with illness midseason. It didn’t get old seeing Collins and Hightower lining up side-by-side again last week, that’s for sure.
But it seems like every game Hightower gets nicked up, so that’s why this present is on the Patriots’ wish list.
If Santa could be nice enough to make sure that these rising stars stay healthy for the remainder of the regular season and through the playoffs, that’d be great. Thanks, Santa.
Next: 1. Fast healing for D-Mac's ankle
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
1. Fast healing for Devin McCourty’s ankle
While we’re on the subject of injuries on defense, let’s take a second to ask Santa for the gift of a healthy McCourty. One could make the argument that McCourty is the most valuable fixture on the entire defense, so it’s paramount that the star free safety’s high ankle sprain subsides as soon as possible.
The Patriots can owe their eighth-ranked pass defense after the departure of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner to the efforts of McCourty, who they managed to retain in free agency by offering a midnight deal contract right before D-Mac signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Malcolm Butler and Logan Ryan are as happy as anyone that McCourty decided to stick around in New England.
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It’s pretty likely that the Patriots will encounter the Steelers at some point in the month of January, and they’re going to need McCourty at full strength against the top passing offense in the league.