The New England Patriots are coming off the back of a 7-9 season in which they watched former quarterback Tom Brady win the Super Bowl.
The Cam Newton project appeared to be a failure, but the 2015 NFL MVP has been given an extra year to prove himself.
Or will Mac Jones start from week 1? The number 15 overall pick out of Alabama could very well start from week 1 given how poor Newton’s performances were last season. But don’t forget that this time last year the Patriots were working towards making Jarrett Stidham their starter.
All-in-all Bill Belichick has a lot to sort out between now and the opening week of the season come September. Receiver Julian Edelman and Safety Patrick Chung have both hung up their cleats too.
The bookmakers aren’t filled with much optimism either with the Patriots out at 30/1 to win the Super Bowl according to 22bet.ng/mobile/ – that’s the same price as the Miami Dolphins!
Don’t forget this team had one of the top defenses in the league only two seasons ago, though have also lost Jason McCourty (Dolphins).
The Buffalo Bills reached the AFC Championship back in January and are the clear favourites with the bookmakers to win the AFC East again this year. It’s hard to see the Patriots competing with them at this stage, but with Belichick at the helm, anything is possible.
A more relaxed schedule this season works in New England’s favouri after finishing third in the division last year. Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead should offer the quarterback a good ground game.
Nelson Agholor was one of the biggest pick ups on offense this off-season, whilst Kendrick Bourne also adds to an otherwise young receiving corps.
The acquisitions of Jonny Smith and Hunter Henry at Tight End is really promising. Smith was very underrated whilst in Tennessee and could help the head coach get back to his two-tight end attack that worked wonders previously.
With all this added firepower on offense the system may suit a good passer like Mac Jones rather than Cam Newton, who opted to run instead of passing too quickly on many occasions last season.
Defensively, Matthew Judon is a big pick up from the Baltimore Ravens whilst Jalen Mills should help the secondary that struggled last season. Kyle Van Noy is back after a year in Miami.
New England have a stronger roster than the sportsbooks are giving them credit for currently. The main issue is at quarterback though. Will Cam Newton be the starter again? Or can Mac Jones come in and transform things from the start?
Jones had originally been expected to be taken as high as third, but the San Francisco 49ers went with Trey Lance instead. He only started 17 games during his college career but a sensational 2020 campaign that saw him throw 41 touchdowns and only four picks earned him the hype.
With that additional playoff spot available the New England Patriots should not be overlooked this early.
