It’s been a whirlwind offseason for the New England Patriots, and things are certainly going to look different at Gillette Stadium next season. Even still, New England is extremely talented on both sides of the football, and led by Bill Belichick, anything can happen.
With arguably the hardest schedule in all of football and a new offense, it seems crazy to suggest that the Patriots could even have a shot at winning the Super Bowl. The AFC East is getting better, and there will certainly be competition this year. Getting back to the big game would certainly be an uphill battle for the Patriots. Still, I take a look at three reasons why New England could make it back to the Super Bowl in 2020.
Developing a strong running game
The Patriots could win the Super Bowl if they develop a strong running game. With Tom Brady at the helm, having a strong running game was a bonus and not a must. However, the Patriots could have a shot at winning the Super Bowl if they establish a better ground game.
The talent is certainly there. For instance, Sony Michel is coming off a season in which he showed flashes that he could be a top feature back. James White is a valuable pass-catcher within the offense in addition to being a strong running back. Brandon Bolden is a back that can be counted on for short-yard gains and red-zone trips. New England needs to find a rhythm within the running game.
Last season, the Patriots ranked 18th in the entire National Football League in rushing. Averaging 3.8 yards per carry, they recorded 106.4 yards per game. The leading rusher was Michel with 912 yards on the year. Rex Burkhead had the second-most yards on the team with 263. The Patriots have many running backs that can serve them well in various roles. If New England utilizes each and every one of them, they could see their way to a Super Bowl. This is something they haven’t had to do in quite some time, and it would be a certainly interesting to see the adjustments that would have to be made offensively.
Playing well on the road
If the New England Patriots can survive the road, they will be able to win. Looking at the road schedule, they will have to face some tough competition.
The Patriots defense will have to face Josh Allen and Deshaun Watson in the first two weeks of the season. Then, they have to face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Those are just in the first three weeks of the season. Mixed in with those three quarterbacks are Jared Goff and Russell Wilson later in the season.
If the Patriots can tread water and possibly steal wins in Houston and LA in the first four weeks of the season, that would put them at 2-2. From there, they could have a shot at the Super Bowl. The Patriots have the hardest strength of schedule in all of football. Those first four weeks are probably the toughest on the schedule. If they can at least keep the games competitive and win, they have a shot at the Super Bowl. It sounds cliché, but especially in this case, in order to be the best you have to beat the best.
The defense comes to play throughout the entire season
The Patriots could win the Super Bowl if the defense comes to play throughout the entirety of the season. During the first half of the schedule last year, the Patriots were playing lights out. However, the competition was a little bit less in the first half of the schedule than the second half of the schedule.
Just for a refresher, the Patriots played four games against divisional opponents in the first eight weeks of the season. The two teams who were not divisional opponents were the Steelers, who New England beat soundly in the season opener, and the Browns who struggled mightily despite having Baker Mayfield and a talented offense.
Stéphon Gilmore alone had three interceptions over the course of his first eight games. The Patriots defense seemed to falter as the opposition got tougher. The Sunday night football game against the Baltimore Ravens comes to mind. So too, do games later in the season against Houston and Miami at home.
Even still, New England ranked first in the least yards allowed per game with 275.9. On the season, they gave up the second-least passing yards with 2,896. It certainly was not a bad year for them, but it seemed like they broke down in the second half of the season. If the Patriots defense can play as a well-rounded unit all season, then they could have a chance at winning the Super Bowl.
As the offense looks to undergo a makeover, the defense will be heavily counted on to keep them in games. With veterans at every position, the defense will need to be ready to play every single week.
