With the 2023-24 NFL season approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to look at the New England Patriots.
More importantly, our expectations.
This team is not a Super Bowl-contending team. I enjoyed the Brady years as much as any other, but I’m not living in the past thinking we need to be at that level.
The biggest question mark for this team is its offense. Last year, under Matt Patricia, was a nightmare. One of the worst offensive systems I have ever witnessed in football.
This year, we have already improved by letting Patricia go and welcoming back Bill O’Brien. Offense is what O’Brien knows, and I believe we’ll have a better offensive attack than we did last year.
If the offense wants to be better, then the offensive line needs to protect Mac Jones. The offensive line is a big worry, and if the starters get hurt or miss a substantial part of the season, then Jones and this team could be in trouble.
Recently, Michael Onwenu was activated off the PUP list, which is a big boost to the team.
Through both preseason games with mainly reserves starting on the line, opposing teams walked through our backfield with relative ease. Even though offensive line coach Adrian Klemm is in his first season with the Pats, he has a lot of work to do to make sure Jones is protected.
The wide receiver group looks promising with DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquon Thorton, and rookies Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas. It remains to be seen which rookies will remain, but the team has good enough receivers to win games this year, as long as Jones has the time to get the ball to them.
Our running game was solidified with the signing of Ezekiel Elliott. The one-two punch of Rhamondre Stevenson and Elliott will bring back the old-school days of ground-and-pound.
Sign me up.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots will have one of the better defenses in the league. If Jack Jones remains on the team (pending the charges brought against him regarding bringing a gun to Logan Airport), the Patriots secondary is a deep one.
You have two outside corners in Jones and rookie first-round pick Christian Gonzalez. Then, a slot corner in Jonathan Jones and just general depth with Marcus Jones. Even Jalen Mills can cover if need be.
At safety, you have Kyle Dugger who has all-pro potential, and Mills, a solid veteran to replace future Pats Hall of Famer Devin McCourty.
Last season, the Pats finished third in sacks with 54 (one behind second-place Kansas City, and 16 behind the Eagles). This year, the Patriots have the potential to increase that number to 60.
After signing a new contract, Matthew Judon is primed to have another big year in opposing teams’ backfields. With Christian Barmore hopefully remaining healthy all year, this defense has quality at every position.
Looking at the schedule, the Patriots have one of the harder ones this season. As much as I would love to say we’re the favorites to win the division, the fact of the matter is: it is Buffalo’s to lose.
The Jets will be in the conversation based on the acquisition of Aaron Rogers, but I don’t think they will finish above the Patriots this year. I struggle between having the Patriots finish with a playoff spot, or just missing.
I feel the Dolphins will also have a down year, leaving Buffalo as the winner. And I’m hopeful that the Patriots can get into the playoffs via wildcard. If the Patriots can muster up an 11-6 season or even a 10-7 one, I will not complain.
Although I miss the Brady years – where we could pencil our name into the AFC Championship game – I remain confident the team can make the playoffs this year.
And once you get to the playoffs, you never know what can happen.
