NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2022 Record - 8-9
Head Coach - Bill Belichick
Offensive Rank - 26th (315 YPG); Scoring - 17th (21.4 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 8th (322 YPG); Scoring - 10th (20.4 PPG)
Mac Jones is the quarterback and is backed up by Bailey Zappe. Jones had 2,997 passing yards a year ago with 14 touchdowns and eleven interceptions. Zappe had 781 pass yards with five scoring passes and three interceptions. Rhamondre Stevenson (1,040 rushing yards, 5.0 YPC average and five TD along with 69 receptions for 421 yards and one TD) is the primary running back. Ezekiel Elliott comes over as a free agent signee after rushing for 876 yards (3.8 YPC average) and twelve touchdowns with Dallas last year. James Robinson looks to be the backup. The wide receivers are DeVante Parker (31, 539, three TD), JuJu Smith-Schuster (78, 933, three TD with Kansas City), Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne (35, 434, one TD) along with tight end Hunter Henry, who made 41 catches for 509 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The defense is led by linemen Christian Barmore, Deatrich Wise, Jr. and Davon Godchaux and linebackers Matthew Judon (15 1/2 QB sacks), Josh Uche (11 1/2 sacks) and Ja'Whaun Bentley, who led the Patriots with 125 tackles last season. Rookie DE Kelon White (Georgia Tech) will look to be an impact player. The secondary has corners Jack Jones and Jonathan Jones (four interceptions) along with safeties Kyle Dugger (78 tackles) and Adrian Phillips. Jalen Mills, Jabril Peppers and rookies Christian Gonzalez (Oregon) and Marte Mapu (Sacramento State) provide depth in the defensive backfield.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - After dropping off to third place in the AFC East division a year ago, the Patriots look to have an even tougher task in 2023 as they look to get back into playoff contention. The Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets look solid enough to perhaps knock New England into the basement in the division race this season.
Head Coach Bill Belichick has seen it all in his time in New England and he won't be fazed as he knows the defense is among the best in the NFL after finishing in the top ten a year ago against both the run and scoring. The secondary got scorched on occasion, but still managed to intercept 19 passes, which ranked third in the NFL. They also get after opposing quarterbacks, accumulating 54 sacks in 2022, which ranked third in pro football.
The key for the Pats to have success in 2023 will be the offense getting better and Mac Jones staying healthy for the entire season. The running game struggled at times and will look to Stevenson and Elliott to bolster the numbers and balance the offense this year. Realistically, the team cannot rely on the defense causing so many turnovers like they did last season, so it's vital the offense scores more points and maybe then the Patriots can stay in the hunt in what could be one of the NFL's best divisions.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Philadelphia
Week Two - vs. Miami
Week Three - at N.Y. Jets
Week Four - at Dallas
Week Five - vs. New Orleans
Week Six - at Las Vegas
Week Seven - vs. Buffalo
Week Eight - at Miami
Week Nine - vs. Washington
Week Ten - vs. Indianapolis (Frankfurt, Germany)
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at N.Y. Giants
Week Thirteen - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Fourteen - at Pittsburgh
Week Fifteen - vs. Kansas City
Week Sixteen - at Denver
Week Seventeen - at Buffalo
Week Eighteen - vs. N.Y. Jets
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