The New England Patriots were already supposed to face heavy fire in the AFC East in 2015. Sure, they’ve won the division 11 of the last 12 years, but defending Super Bowl champions have been cursed of late (only four of the last nine Super Bowl winners have won their divisions the following season) and the Pats will have a target on their back.
Plus, top defensive player Darrelle Revis is gone to the division-rival New York Jets, who have also brought in two quarterbacks who could push for starting jobs, as well as Pro Bowlers at receiver and the second corner spot. The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins were already beginning to narrow the gap last year, and both of those teams also made big splashes in free agency.
Point is, it was likely going to be a hotly-contested year in the AFC East. Finally.
But now the NFL has suspended Tom Brady for the first four games of the season, which arguably could be a difference-maker in that debate. After all, the quarterback position is the most important one in football, and Brady might be the best ever. Now, the Patriots will be without the reigning Super Bowl MVP for a quarter of the season, Revis for the entire season and top back LeGarrette Blount for the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With that in mind, the Pats could be in big trouble if backup Jimmy Garoppolo is forced to throw only the 28th pass of his career in that primetime opener against Pittsburgh. The next week, they’re in Buffalo to play an improving Bills team that has given them some trouble at Ralph Wilson over the years (Brady or not). They might beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at home in Week 3 regardless of their quarterback, but there’s a good chance they’ll be a heavy underdog following their Week 4 bye when they travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys.
That could seriously mean a 1-3 start with the bye week down the drain and Brady making his season debut against a strong Indianapolis Colts team on the road in Week 6.
On the other hand, they overcame a brutal start from Brady last season — there were jokes on Twitter that he’d be taking his second consecutive September off — and it’s possible Garoppolo or somebody else could help them beat the Steelers and/or the Bills and/or the Cowboys. A 2-2 start wouldn’t be a death knell, especially in a division in which everyone else will be beating on each other.
And there’s also a chance Brady’s suspension will be reduced on appeal. So while they could tank early, there’s also a chance this suspension will only cost the Pats a single victory, if any at all.
Still, this at least makes things a little more interesting. The Pats are worse off today than they were yesterday, which could make a world of difference in a competitive division.
