The 2015 Patriots were an excellent team undermined by an absurd amount of significant injuries. It is, of course, tempting to adopt a "woe is us" attitude, but here's the reality: The 2016 Patriots should be an absolute juggernaut. Here's why.
1. Others have gone into detail with respect to how solid the Pats' cap situation is. That's important.
2. They will (barring a trade or surprise cut) return every single starter on a top 10 defense, one that is loaded with young players moving near, or entering, their prime. They will also get Easley back, and he was a force on the interior. Jones may be heading into a contract year, which could be huge.
3. Key injured players on offense will be back. Solder, Wendell, and Lewis, most importantly. Solder and Lewis especially were HUGE losses to this team. Moreover, guys like Gronk, Brady, Vollmer, Edelman, LaFell (if not cut), and Amendola, who were all seriously banged up, should be healthy. The offense, when healthy, was the #1 offense in the NFL. There is no reason whatsoever to think that when they are healthy again, that they won't be at least one of the top offenses in football. On defense, Easley, Tarell Brown, and Roberts may make a huge difference.
4. Key coaching continuity. Yes a couple of coaches are gone, but Belichick, McDaniels, and Patricia are back. Another year with the same coaches is important.
5. They play in a weak division. The Jets should be ok, but as of this moment they don't have a good QB. Fitzpatrick must be re-signed, and he will not come cheaply. And can he really duplicate his career-best 2015 campaign? Odds are against it. Moreover, they may lose some key guys to free agency. Buffalo just isn't that good, and Miami is a dumpster fire, again. The Patriots are already in a great position to win the AFC East yet again.
6. They top contenders in the AFC face uncertainty. Denver has a bunch of key guys whose contracts are up. What will they do at QB? Baltimore is a mess. Indianapolis is soft. Houston has no QB. Cincinnati and KC are solid, and Pittsburgh might be the best of the rest of the contenders, but none of those teams matches up with the Patriots.
The major hurdle for the Patriots will be twofold: injuries and the schedule. They will face the NFC West and the AFC North. The slate of road games will be as tough as it gets: at Mia, at Buf, at NYJ (even though I just said the Patriots should win the AFC East, any of these games obviously will be tough), at Cle, at Pit, at Ari, at SF, at Den. The AFC east games, at Pittsburgh, at Arizona, and at Denver will all be big-time challenges.
Assuming good health (never a safe assumption), the Patriots should end up with a top 3 offense and a top 5 defense, and should win 12 games and earn another first-round bye. They will be battle-tested and in much better shape to make a run for a fifth Lombardi.
1. Others have gone into detail with respect to how solid the Pats' cap situation is. That's important.
2. They will (barring a trade or surprise cut) return every single starter on a top 10 defense, one that is loaded with young players moving near, or entering, their prime. They will also get Easley back, and he was a force on the interior. Jones may be heading into a contract year, which could be huge.
3. Key injured players on offense will be back. Solder, Wendell, and Lewis, most importantly. Solder and Lewis especially were HUGE losses to this team. Moreover, guys like Gronk, Brady, Vollmer, Edelman, LaFell (if not cut), and Amendola, who were all seriously banged up, should be healthy. The offense, when healthy, was the #1 offense in the NFL. There is no reason whatsoever to think that when they are healthy again, that they won't be at least one of the top offenses in football. On defense, Easley, Tarell Brown, and Roberts may make a huge difference.
4. Key coaching continuity. Yes a couple of coaches are gone, but Belichick, McDaniels, and Patricia are back. Another year with the same coaches is important.
5. They play in a weak division. The Jets should be ok, but as of this moment they don't have a good QB. Fitzpatrick must be re-signed, and he will not come cheaply. And can he really duplicate his career-best 2015 campaign? Odds are against it. Moreover, they may lose some key guys to free agency. Buffalo just isn't that good, and Miami is a dumpster fire, again. The Patriots are already in a great position to win the AFC East yet again.
6. They top contenders in the AFC face uncertainty. Denver has a bunch of key guys whose contracts are up. What will they do at QB? Baltimore is a mess. Indianapolis is soft. Houston has no QB. Cincinnati and KC are solid, and Pittsburgh might be the best of the rest of the contenders, but none of those teams matches up with the Patriots.
The major hurdle for the Patriots will be twofold: injuries and the schedule. They will face the NFC West and the AFC North. The slate of road games will be as tough as it gets: at Mia, at Buf, at NYJ (even though I just said the Patriots should win the AFC East, any of these games obviously will be tough), at Cle, at Pit, at Ari, at SF, at Den. The AFC east games, at Pittsburgh, at Arizona, and at Denver will all be big-time challenges.
Assuming good health (never a safe assumption), the Patriots should end up with a top 3 offense and a top 5 defense, and should win 12 games and earn another first-round bye. They will be battle-tested and in much better shape to make a run for a fifth Lombardi.
