Musket Fire
FanSided

Are the Patriots a playoff contender with OC Bill O’Brien?

By Lou Scataglia

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 08: Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien converses with Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during pregame warmups prior to facing the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 08: Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien converses with Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during pregame warmups prior to facing the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New England Patriots recently hired Bill O’Brien has their offensive coordinator. Does this put them back in the playoff mix?  The 2021 Patriots had a top 10 scoring offense and scoring defense.

They won 10 games and clinched a Wild Card spot.  It was an encouraging year for them, especially considering how 2020 went and the success they had with then rookie Mac Jones.  When Josh McDaniels left for Las Vegas, they, for some reason, turned to Matt Patricia and Joe Judge to run the offense.

As a result, the offense regressed, as did Mac Jones, and the team failed to make the playoffs after a promising 2021 campaign.  Now that they’ve appeared to make the right hire in O’Brien, does this put the team back in the playoff mix in the deep AFC?

Right now, as the roster is currently constructed, I think the Pats can make the postseason, but I’m afraid that’s their ceiling.  Given that they don’t have many high-end, difference making players on offense, I’m worried that even if the unit turns out to be competent enough to keep the team in games, I worry about the ceiling.

Given that the Miami Dolphins look like a renewed team, and the Bills are still the Bills, could the Patriots simply be buried in the AFC East, even with an improved offense?  Put that with the New York Jets likely being in the market for a veteran QB upgrade this year, and this could end poorly for the Patriots.

If I told you that New England finished the 2023 season with the 7th ranked scoring offense and perhaps the 14th ranked scoring offense, would that sound too unrealistic?  To me, it doesn’t at all, and those rankings could indicate quite the solid team.

I do think the Bill O’Brien is a nice get, but is only part of the equation.  In the offseason, the Pats should look to add some high-end talent on offense.  If they can do that, given the O’Brien hire, I do think this team can do some damage.

Home/Patriots News