A year removed from missing the postseason for the first time 12 years, the Patriots returned to the playoffs with a rookie quarterback leading the charge. Now, Bill Belichick and Co. will look to return to the organization’s championship ways.
New England won 10 games last season on the strength of its defense. The Patriots allowed an average of 17.8 points and 310.8 total yards per game, ranking fourth in the league in both categories. Unfortunately for them, the NFL’s leader in each of those marks is division rival Buffalo, which also boasts a high-octane offense with one of the game’s best quarterbacks in Josh Allen.
The Patriots leaned on rookie quarterback Mac Jones, who mostly displayed himself as a viable NFL starter. The No. 15 pick in the 2021 draft started every game last season and completed 67.6% of his pass attempts for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He made the Pro Bowl and finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting to Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
