The Ultimate Sports Blog's
2015-16 NFL Preview
2014-15 Record: 12-4
Last Playofff Win: Super Bowl XLIX vs. Seattle Seahawks (2014)
Last Playoff Appearance: Super Bowl XLIX vs. Seattle Seahawks (2014)
Last Super Bowl Win: Super Bowl XLIX vs. Seattle Seahawks (2014)
Last Super Bowl Appearance: Super Bowl XLIX vs. Seattle Seahawks (2014)
Head Coach:
Bill Belichick (211-109 all-time as NFL head coach; 175-65 all-time in New England, 22-9 in playoffs)
Offensive Coordinator: Josh McDaniels
Defensive Coordinator: Matt Patricia
2014-15 Team Leaders:
Passing Yards: Tom Brady (4,109 yards, 64.1% completions, 33 TD's, 9 INT's, 97.4 QB rating)
Rushing Yards: Jonas Gray (89 attempts, 412 yards, 5 TD's)
Receiving Yards: Rob Gronkowski (82 receptions, 1,124 yards, 12 TD's)
Tackles: Jamie Collins (116 tackles)
Interceptions: Jamie Collins/Devin McCourty/Darrelle Revis/Logan Ryan (2 interceptions)
2014-15 Team Rankings:
Passing Offense: 9th in NFL
Rushing Offense: 18th in NFL
Points Per Game: 4th in NFL
Least Points Allowed Per Game: 13th in NFL
2014-15 Potential Starters:
Purpe - Elite Starter
Blue - Above Average Starter
Green - Average Starter
Orange - Below Average Starter
Grey - Rookie
Red - Disgusting, Awful, Horrible, E.J. Manuel
Offense:
QB: Tom Brady
RB: LeGarrette Blount
WR: Julian Edelman
WR: Brian LeFell
TE: Rob Gronkowski
C: Bryan Stork
OG: Ryan Wendell
OG: Josh Kline
OT: Nate Solder
OT: Sebastian Vollmer
Defense:
DE: Rob Ninkovich
DE: Chandler Jones
DT: Dominique Easley
DT: Sealver Siliga
LB: Jerod Mayo
LB: Dont'a Hightower
LB: Jamie Collins
CB: Bradley Fletcher
CB: Malcolm Butler
FS: Devin McCourty
SS: Patrick Chung
2014-15 Schedule:
(September 10) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
(September 20) vs. @ Buffalo Bills
(September 27) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
(October 4) BYE WEEK
(October 11) vs. @ Dallas Cowboys
(October 18) vs. @ Indianapolis Colts
(October 25) vs. New York Jets
(October 29) vs. Miami Dolphins
(November 8) vs. Washington Redskins
(November 15) vs. @ New York Giants
(November 23) vs. Buffalo Bills
(November 29) vs. @ Denver Broncos
(December 6) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
(December 13) vs. @ Houston Texans
(December 20) vs. Tennessee Titans
(December 27) vs. @ New York Jets
(January 3) vs. @ Miami Dolphins
Overlook: Raise your hand if you're sick and tired of hearing the words "Tom Brady", "deflategate", "PSI", etc. I know you can't see me right now, but my hand is so far in the air, it's pretty much touching the top of Tom Brady's ego. I know, I know. I'm sick and tired of hearing those words and as a matter of fact, that's the only time those words are mentioned in this preview. Before we move on though, I feel the need to point out that I'm not a Patriot-hater. I'm the kind of guy who appreciates greatness when I see it, and what Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have accomplished in their time together in New England has been amazing. They are going on three straight seasons where they finished 12-4 (before that, they had two seasons where they went 14-2 and 13-3). Needless to say, the Patriots have been the exact definition of "consistency" in the National Football League. This organization has been a non-stop winner since the Brady and Belichick wagon rolled into town and that will continue this season.
Offensively, with the Patriots, you are going to get what you've got from them last season. When Brady returns from whatever suspension he has to serve, these guys will start rolling again and be one of the NFL's best overall collective units. I suppose there's always the chance that Brady is spent from all the off-season drama and struggles a little, but that's a small chance. As long as everyone stays healthy (especially GRONK), the Patriots will put up points.
Defensively, things start to get a little interesting. The Patriots front seven is fine. Outside of Dominique Easley, everyone else is either good or REALLY good. New England may not have the best front seven in the AFC East, but they will definitely cause some problems for the other QB's in the division. Where I'm worried about this Patriots team is in the secondary. With the loss of Darrelle Revis, the Patriots now have a huge hole at corner and are relying on guys like Bradley Fletcher and Malcolm Butler to fill his spot. Something tells me Patriots fans are going to be disappointed with the play in the secondary thanks to the corners, but at least they have good safeties who should take some of the pressure off those guys. Last year the Patriots had the 13th ranked defense in the NFL and even though there's a lot to like here on this side of the ball, I expect a step back to take place.
So, will the Patriots dynasty finally come crashing down this year? Will all the off-season distractions in New England result in the Patriots losing their long-time grip on the AFC East? No. Even though I don't think the Patriots are as good as they were last year, they are still a VERY good team. They will make the playoffs and yes, they do have a chance at winning yet another Super Bowl. As long as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are in town, I'm not counting these guys out.
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