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In 2021, the New England Patriots exceeded all expectations, reaching the playoffs with double-digit wins. Was this an anomaly or a sign that things were to come?
The franchise's fate was handed to Mac Jones, who was in 15th place in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was the rookie who was given the keys to the franchise.
He has ten wins under his belt and is now looking forward to his second season. As the clock ticks down on Bill Belichick's remaining career, it is now that New England is ready for his sophomore season. Let us work you through a preview of the NFL season from Neds.
The "Patriot Way."
Foxborough says you must "Do Your Job," precisely what happened for the Patriot's offense last year. New England was without high-end talent and focused on efficiency and ball control last season to win.The team was without a true number-one wideout and relied on the power-rushing game to take over. Last season, 15 rushing touchdowns were contributed by running back Damien Harris. Combining this with Rhamondre Stephenson's five running TDs took the pressure off Jones in the passing game.
Jones had to keep the team in order and reduce turnovers. The Patriots were sixth in scoring last year thanks to their strong defense and three punts per match, which was a league record. Jones was a system member and threw for 3,801 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Jones also had only 13 interceptions, which helped to limit his damage.
New England must follow this strategy to be a successful AFC East team in 2022.
Replacing the All-Pro
The Patriots' success last season was mainly due to the emergence of JC Jack. He hit his stride in the third year but then took off in the fourth. At 26 years old, he was a first-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro. He was the league's second-rated pass defense and had a record 23 passes defended and eight interceptions.He turned his excellent season into a lucrative contract and left the team to play for the Los Angeles Chargers.
New England did not do much to replace him as they entered the season with Jalen mills at CB1. As the Patriots enter the season, this will be a question that remains. They will need to replicate their defensive success without one of the league's most skilled corners.
A New Target For Jones
New England needed a true target-hound at its wide receiver position. This was an area where New England could improve. The team had no reliable options at the boundary last season, with Kendrick Burgne and JakobiMyers being the only options.They sent a third-round draft pick in 2022 to the Miami Dolphins for Devante Peter and a fifth-round selection. Parker will be able to provide Jones with a run-after catch option and can also take down contested catches.
Parker experienced a down season in 2021. He played in just ten games, amassing 515 yards with two touchdowns. However, he hopes to return to the form he showed in 2019, when he caught 72 passes, accumulated 1202 yards, and scored nine touchdowns.
Swiss Army Knife on Defense
New England also got a new addition by acquiring Jabrill Peppers as a free agent.To play for Belichick, the former Michigan star took on a one-year "show me" contract. Devin McCourty will join a safety team and be asked to take on multiple positions.
Peppers has had a difficult time in deep coverage since joining the league. However, he is expected to play at nickel, in the box, and as a punt returner in an emergency. A defensive-minded staff will be able to get the best from Peppers.
The Full Press Coverage
Too many cooks in the kitchenAnother thing you should be watching is the offensive play-calling. Joe Judge returns to the Patriots as an offensive assistant. Matt Patricia is back with the Patriots as a senior adviser. This creates a unique dynamic in the coaching office.
As Josh McDaniels went to Las Vegas Raiders head coach, it's not clear who will call the offensive plays in New England. He was the Quarterbacks Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the team in 2021 and did an excellent job working with Mac Jones.
It is possible to assume Belichick will soon fix this hierarchy, but it is still unclear.
Overview
The 2021 season ended in embarrassment for the Patriots as the Buffalo Bills swept their playoff hopes with a 47-17 Wild Card drubbing. They did manage to surpass all expectations, winning ten games and extending their winning streak to seven games midseason. It will be interesting for the team to perform in '22 with a viable Super Bowl candidate within their division (Bills), and a dark horse candidate (Miami Dolphins), who have shown significant improvement this offseason.The team should finish third in the AFC East next year and probably out of the playoffs. However, as we have learned over the past 20 years, the Patriots are not to be counted out.
