Multiple NFL Executives Shade Patriots, Expect Major Regression After Super Bowl Run originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl last season and will now look to defend their title as AFC Champions and bring a Lombardi Trophy home.
The Patriots benefited from an easier schedule than most in the regular season, but they did manage to topple three elite defenses in the playoffs. They did face the Denver Broncos without Bo Nix, but that was out of their control, as was their schedule as a whole. The Patriots were unable to keep up with the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and many NFL executives expect them to regress next season.
"It’s funny you’re asking me this, man, I was just looking at them," one NFL executive told Jason La Canfora on Friday. "Last in sacks allowed. (Drake) Maye gets hit 121 times, that’s the most. The left tackle isn’t a left tackle. I’m with you. The schedule is much tougher with them winning a division now. Put the Vrabel stuff aside, I think they’re in trouble. Didn’t like their redzone offense. They rely heavily on the run. The defense, bad in the redzone. They don’t have enough impact defensive linemen. Look at their sacks, plus pressures, plus QB hits, I’ve got them 31st in the league.”
The Patriots are expected to get AJ Brown, and they signed Romeo Doubs as well. Doubs is a great red zone receiver, with 18 of his 21 career touchdowns coming in the red zone. Defensively, they added Gabe Jacas to the pass rush and replaced K'Lavon Chaisson with Dre'Mont Jones. One general manager noted that the rest of the conference getting healthy will also hurt the Patriots.
"There is nowhere for them to go but down," a general manager told La Canfora. "Kansas City is going to be back. Baltimore should be better. Cincinnati is better. I don't think New England got better.”
Additionally, when the Patriots play certain teams will make a difference. One executive noted that playing elite teams in the elements could hurt the Patriots as well.
"I’m looking at it right here,” the first exec said. “At Jacksonville, at Seattle. Denver at home. What if that game is in December? You have to watch Drake Maye in the cold. It looked like in the playoffs there last year Josh (McDaniels) was telling him to hang in there for six more minutes so they could go to the Super Bowl.
“He didn’t look good playing in the elements. At the Chargers and at the Chiefs, that won’t be easy. You know Buffalo is going to be ready for them after what happened last year.”
In the end, the Patriots were not projected to be good last year, and managed to prove their doubters wrong. It seems they will have to do the same next season.
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