Between now and the end of August, TGS will offer up a quick snapshot of every NFL team heading into the 2016 regular season. Today, the New England Patriots.
2015 in a nutshell: They start strong but are eventually ravaged by injuries and fade down the stretch before losing the AFC title game in Denver.
Why 2016 could be different: A team that went 12-4 last season will be without quarterback Tom Brady for the first four games of the season. But that could work in their favor.
Major additions: They signed veteran defensive linemen Chris Long and Terrance Knighton, they traded for talented guard Jonathan Cooper and they acquired Pro Bowl tight end Martellus Bennett to complement Rob Gronkowski.
Major losses: They dealt top sack man Chandler Jones in order to get Cooper.
Breakout watch: Have to wonder if a new setting will help Cooper finally become the star many expected he’d be when he came into the league. The Patriots are very smart, and they obviously see something in the former top-10 pick.
Position to watch: A lot of changes up front, with Long and Knighton coming in to help compensate for the loss of Jones, who had 12.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl in 2015. They’ll also start the season without Rob Ninkovich, who is dealing with a triceps injury. And they’ll be counting on top 2015 pick Malcom Brown to make a large impact at defensive tackle. Plenty of question marks.
Prediction: Still, they’re the clear favorites in the AFC East and they should win 11 or 12 games yet again. That said, I’m predicting they once again lose in the AFC championship game.
