After a disappointing ending to the 2015 season, the New England Patriots are heading into the offseason with some questions surrounding the team.
Luckily for them, they do not have any priority free agents they must sign. That being said, the Patriots may need to add role and depth players through free agency and the draft.
Worst case scenario, if they have a weak offseason, the Patriots will still be in good position to again reach the AFC Championship Game for the 6th straight season, and the Super Bowl for the 3rd time in since 2010.
Here are five reasons why the Patriots will be in Houston in February 2017:
Next: Few Immense Threats
#5 An Uncertain AFC
The AFC isn’t going to be a cake walk, but it certainly won’t be as strong as it was last season. With teams likely not being able to retain all their key free agents, it looks as if AFC will be getting weaker – on paper.
Media outlets and fans will attempt to give their own take on how their teams will perform during the season. But it’s difficult to predict the outcomes of each team, especially with free agency and the draft coming up soon and the impact it can have on a team’s success.
Outside of the Denver Broncos (Granted they figure out their QB situation), Pittsburgh Steelers, and their division rival New York Jets (Yes, the Jets are a playoff team), the Patriots should be able reach the playoffs at the very least.
Next: Team Growth
#4 Growth of the Defense
Heading into the 2015 season, there was talk about the how players such as DT Vince Wilfork and CB Darrelle Revis were allowed to walk in free agency and sign with other teams. There were people that questioned Bill Belichick (which is a question in itself) and predicted this team to struggle throughout the season.
Months later, we come to find that the cornerback and defensive tackle positions were more than okay. In fact, both CBs Malcolm Butler (81.2) and Logan Ryan (85.3) were graded higher than Darrelle Revis (79.7) on Pro Football Focus for run and pass snaps.
Not only was their secondary’s performance surprising, but the Patriots pass rush (when healthy) showed signs of promising dominance in the future with DT Malcolm Brown and Dominique Easley beside LBs Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins.
Also, thanks to unnecessary criticism from media outlets and former players about Deflategate and the Patriots’ “cheating ways”, it helped create a deeper bond between players.
This looks to be a tight unit that should improve with new additions through the draft and/or free agency.
Next: A Dynamic Offense
#3 A New Dynamic Offense
In 2010-2011, the Patriots had one of the most unstoppable offences with lead by a combination of TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The two combined had 254 receptions, 3,346 yards, and 40 TDs both becoming easily two of hardest TEs to defend in the league. Both were still dominant without the other on the field (which seemed to be the case for a lot of the 2012 season), but they were at their best when both were on the field.
Fast forward 3 seasons later since Hernandez was released and arrested, and the Patriots again have two hidden players that could help reform a Josh McDaniels’ offense.
Running backs Dion Lewis and James White could be the key to an offense that could have mismatches all around the field (Granted Lewis can stay healthy after having a career filled with injuries). The league got a taste of both players, but unfortunately wasn’t given the chance to see them both on the field at the same time. After Lewis got injured in Week 9, James White was the next man up, and did more than enough to contribute to the Patriots’ offense.
Next: The Return
#2: The Return
During the 2015 season, the Patriots were the only playoff team with more than 185 games lost by injury, (245) according to ManGamesLost.com. They lost key players such as FB James Develin (Went on IR after final preseason game), RT Nate Solder (Went on IR after Week 5), and RB Dion Lewis (Went on IR after Week 9) early in the season and had multiple players miss games with a short-term injury.
As much as injuries impacted this team, the next man up was in full effect and the Patriots finished the season 12-4 and made it to the AFC Championship game. Had certain injuries not happened, they easily could’ve had a better record, and the outcome to the season would’ve resulted differently.
It’s inevitable for teams to not suffer an injuries to an important players. But looking ahead to the 2016 season, if New England can remain healthy enough, this team will be one to reckon with and should be at the top of the conference again.
Next: Tom Terrific
#1 Tom Terrific is STILL Terrific
Tom Brady is still Tom Brady.
He isn’t getting any younger (although physically it doesn’t show), but neither is his performance on the field. His leadership, intellect, and throwing strength is still sharp as ever – and may stay at that level for a long time. Many have given Peyton Manning the title of a general or a head coach on the field, but forget that Brady is pretty close or on the same level.
One of the keys to success for the Patriots this season and going forward will be to keeping Tom Brady upright. They cannot afford to have him continuously on the ground. Brady may be able to keep himself in shape with great offseason discipline (a healthy diet and training plan), but like everyone else, the hits will eventually take it’s toll.
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Had injuries to skill players and the offensive line not happened last season, Brady would have easily achieved one of his best statistical seasons since 2010. After an abrupt ending to the season in the Mile High, look for Brady to come back motivated as ever on a quest to definitively separating him from every other quarterback in NFL history.