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The Patriots have been in a quite unfamiliar spot final season. In 2020, they completed under .500 (first time since 2000) and have been on the surface trying in on the playoffs (first time since 2008). With the sting of the primary season post-Tom Brady nonetheless lingering, New England will look to vary the tide and return to rivalry in 2021, albeit with nearly a completely totally different forged of characters.
This offseason, the Patriots spent huge in free company, including the likes of Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Matt Judon, and others to the roster. In the meantime, additionally they invested a first-round decide on a quarterback for the primary time in Invoice Belichick’s tenure in New England. After a summer season battle rookie Mac Jones was capable of beat out 2020 beginning quarterback Cam Newton for QB1 honors to start 2021.
With all that change, there’s loads of optimism in Foxborough, however how for much longer will it take for the crew to get again into the Tremendous Bowl dialog? Presently, the Patriots are nonetheless an extended shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy this coming February with Caesars Sportsbook itemizing them at +3000 to win all of it in 2021. In the event that they have been to climb the mountaintop instantly, nevertheless, these are three issues that would wish to occur.
1. Mac Jones succeeds out of the gate
It has to start out with the quarterback, proper? Jones might want to have a Justin Herbert-like season for the Patriots to significantly sniff championship rivalry throughout his rookie season. Whereas it is a tall process, he’s in a superb place to succeed nearly instantly. The Patriots have a steady of operating backs — headlined by Damien Harris and James White — that ought to be capable of take among the stress off of Jones on offense. When he does must drop again to move, he’ll have arguably one of many higher offensive traces in soccer defending him and a few intriguing weapons within the passing sport. The forged of receivers — Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne — are a bit suspect, however who do rookie quarterbacks love throwing to? That is proper — tight ends. At that spot, Jones will be capable of discover Smith and Henry with the Patriots base offense possible being in 12-personnel.
Not solely does Jones have a strong core round him on offense, however the preseason additionally confirmed that he’s already fairly well-versed in Josh McDaniels’ complicated scheme, which ought to set him up for much more success.
2. New England boasts prime 5 protection
That is the place the Patriots can look to imitate what they did within the early phases of their dynasty with Brady. As Brady bought his toes moist within the league, New England was profitable Tremendous Bowls largely resulting from a dominant protection headlined by the likes of Ty Regulation, Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, and others. As they flip the keys over to a younger quarterback but once more, the protection might be referred to as upon to hold some important weight. Fortunately for the Patriots, they’ve a proficient depth chart on that facet of the ball that would arguably be among the many league’s finest when the 2021 season is within the books.
One of many greater points that Patriots have handled on the defensive facet of the ball lately is stopping the run. That gave the impression to be a degree of emphasis for the crew this offseason as they beefed up the inside of their defensive position by signing Davon Godchaux and Henry Anderson whereas buying and selling up within the second spherical to pick out Christian Barmore. On prime of these strikes, the linebacker unit is far improved from what it regarded like in Week 17 of 2020. Now, Dont’a Hightower is again after opting out resulting from COVID-19, Kyle Van Noy was re-signed after spending a yr in Miami, and the crew spent huge in free company to land Judon. These three ought to make this unit fairly formidable, however the emergence of second-year pass-rusher Josh Uche might take it excessive.
Within the secondary, the lack of Stephon Gilmore (PUP) for the beginning of the yr is a giant blow, but when he is ready to return to his elite kind in the course of the center of the yr, the Patriots have an opportunity to be a prime 5 unit that ought to be capable of sluggish any offense within the league down.
3. Invoice Belichick
The excellent news for New England in its hopes of leaping proper again into the Tremendous Bowl dialog is that the Patriots have the best thoughts that the NFL has ever seen in Belichick. I do know all of us suppose that Belichick is a robotic, however the head coach is human and is probably going champing on the bit to start the common season so he can attempt to match Brady’s Tremendous Bowl he received with the Buccaneers in 2020. For that to occur, Belichick — together with McDaniels and the remainder of the Patriots teaching workers — will have to be on the highest of their sport and stay one step forward of their opponents on a weekly foundation. My guess is that this Patriots crew — similar to some other yr — will obtain the very best teaching that the league has to supply, which is a bonus that may’t be neglected.
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The Mac Jones period in New England has begun after the stunning launch of veteran Cam Newton. How will the rookie fare in 2021? Obtain the CBS Sports activities app and get the most recent information, insights, and stunning predictions from our crew of specialists. If you have already got the app, make sure that to favourite the Patriots to get the most recent information rapidly.
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