3. Patriots defense will pick up where it left off in 2019
The first prediction that will take place in the contest between the Patriots and Dolphins on Sunday in an AFC East showdown is the New England defense will display its dominance early on and will pick right up where it left off in the 2019 season.
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A year ago, one consistent thing that took place was the Patriots’ defense and their ability to shut down opposing offenses week-in and week-out. Against a shaky Miami team this Sunday, that is a trend Bill Belichick and company hope to carry over into the 2020 campaign.
In 2019, New England’s defense ranked first in the NFL in total yards it allowed opposing offenses to average per game, giving up 275.9 yards per game. The Patriots also ranked first in points given up per game with 14.1, while also managing to record a league-most 25 interceptions throughout the year.
There has been a little bit of turnover on that side of the field, as has been the case with things offensively in Foxborough, but it will be important this year perhaps more than ever for the Patriots defense to once again be a top-notch group to try and continue the franchise’s annual dominance.
With a change in personnel mainly on the offensive side of the ball and the offensive unit continuing to establish a clear identity early on in the year, New England will rely on its defense to lead the way once again in 2020. And that should be the case right out of the gate in the season opener this Sunday against Miami.