2015 Season Predictions: AFC East Preview

New England Patriots: 

Sep 8, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end

(84) walks off the field after a game against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Patriots beat the Bills 23 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Key Additions: OLB Jabaal Sheard, TE Scott Chandler, CB Bradley Fletcher, CB Robert McClain, DT Malcolm Brown, 

As is often the case for the reigning Super Bowl Champions, the additions list is not very big and also not very notable. The biggest signing they made during free agency was Jabaal Sheard. Sheard is a capable edge rusher who is coming off a decent year. The Pats hope he will be able to improve so that they can improve their pass rush. Chandler is a decent tight end who seemed to always have his best games against the Patriots. He and Rob Gronkowski will be very difficult to cover, especially in the red zone.

The additions at cornerback were needed, but the quality could have been better for the Patriots. Fletcher was a solid cornerback prior to last season, but last season he was terrible. McClain was part of the terrible secondary of the Atlanta Falcons (except for Desmond Trufant). The Patriots hope that both of them can bounce back and perform at decent level. Brown was a great value pick for the Patriots at No.32 and he should be able to have an impact on the Pats defense right away. They will look to him to replace Vince Wilfork.

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle

(75) celebrates an interception during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Key Losses: CB Darrelle Revis, CB Brandon Browner, CB Kyle Arrington, CB Alfonzo Dennard, DT Vince Wilfork, RB Shane Vereen, OLB Akeem Ayers, RB Stevan Ridley 

Basically every player they lost was a quality player. You may notice that the first four names are all cornerbacks. The secondary that was so good last year is suddenly in shambles after losing their top three cornerbacks and Dennard who was their No. 2 cornerback the year prior. Nobody can make up for Darelle Revis and Pats fans will notice that this year. After Revis left, it made sense that Browner was leaving too, as he not good enough to be a No.1 corner or even a good No.2 without Revis. The Pats felt that Arrington wasn’t worth the cap hit they were going to take, and I honestly can’t tell you what they were thinking when releasing Dennard.

Losing Wilfork probably won’t hurt much on the field as he was aging and Brown is a good young addition that will make up for him. Vereen was a good running back on passing downs that could create good mismatches, but clearly wasn’t worth the money that he was demanding. Ayers was a nice piece in the Pats defense last year after he was traded to New England. He was very effective in the time that Chandler Jones missed. I was surprised to see Ridley leave, as I believe that he was the most capable of all the Patriots running backs, but it seemed that Belichick had enough of the fumbles Ridley had and wasn’t going to take a risk on him after his season-ending injury.

Sep 12, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end

(95) celebrates after a sack of New York Jets quarterback

(7) during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Verdict: 

I think it is quite obvious that the Patriots defense got worse. The secondary looks a lot like it did in the years prior to Aqib Talib and Revis being in New England. I think the young secondaries will have a lot of issues, which will put more pressure on the offense. The front seven on defense is very good. Especially the linebackers the Patriots have are great. To me they are one of the best if not the best in the league, and that very much depends on how Jerod Mayo returns. Still the secondary will have its games where it will get torched.

The offense will have to make up for the loss of talent on defense. The addition of Scott Chandler gives the Patriots a second tight end who can being a solid receiver and will make a big impact in the Red Zone. Losing Brady for four games will hurt, but when he gets back I think he will be just as good as ever. The line will hopefully be a bit better than last year, but otherwise the offense has stayed mostly the same. As long as Brady is playing at his elite level, there is no need to worry in New England. Amendola is basically playing for a contract after the way it was restructured, so he might make a bigger impact too. The offense will have to step up and I think it will.

Dec 14, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end

(87) signals for a first down to the crowd during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 41-13. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Predictions:

Best Case Record: 15-1

Worst Case Record: 10-6

Prediction: 13-3

Team’s Offensive MVP: QB Tom Brady

Team’s Defensive MVP: LB Jamie Collins

Rookie Standout: G Tre’ Jackson

As a lot of people have pointed out, Tom Brady is mad about the entire “DeflateGate issue.” I think no matter how many games he missed, he will come back and will put on a show. The offense should be great this year, especially if they can establish some type of running game. The secondary will be the issue, but the front seven will make up for it and the defense will be decent. With a great offense  and a decent defense the Patriots will continue their success and win the division.

Next: Final Division standings