I’m not sure how much we really need to talk about yesterday’s game against the Bills. The only thing that really matters is that the Pats got out of it without a catastrophic injury. Yeah, a couple guys limped off but I’d think with the bye week, everyone should be ready to go for January 10th’s playoff opener.
So let’s talk a bit about 2014 with today’s Posits, a season where the Patriots returned to a level of dominance not seen since 2007. As I’ve said before, the Patriots’ teams of 2010-2013 always felt flawed on the defensive side of the ball with a dash of limitations on offense.
2010 was the best example of this – a defense that had to rely on turnovers to preserve wins and an offense that was almost entirely based on the short passing attack.
The 2014 Patriots finally turned the page to a defense that can win simply with their red zone prowess, while their offense can challenge all levels of defense. They still have the deadly “scalpel” (aka dink and dunk) that they can run at a devastating pace, but the health of Gronk, emergence of Brandon LaFell and rotating backfield have given the Pats some new dimensions.
2013 was about overcoming injuries. We knew the Pats were on borrowed time, so when they lost in the AFC Championship in Denver, no one was overly disappointed. The 2013 team took things as far as they could.
But now our expectations are high and it’s hard to to think “if not now, when?”.
The 2014 Pats are not without their weaknesses, but short yardage situations on both sides of the ball are hardly glaring problems. They also appear to be susceptible to tight ends, and can have periods of ineffectiveness on offense, but overall this Patriots team is as strong going into the playoffs as we’ve seen under Bill Belichick.
Some quick hit thoughts on the players and schemes of 2014 before we jump into the playoffs.
The emergence of Hightower and Collins as legitimate NFL stars will be somewhat overshadowed by the Revis and Browner of it all. They came of age against the Broncos where the Pats started really employing double A gap pressure (or at least faking it) with their linebackers. I’m left wondering how the rotations would’ve worked if Mayo hadn’t gotten hurt, because I can’t imagine taking Collins or Hightower off the field. Mayo will be a major storyline this offseason, but I’d be fine to turn the page to Hightower being the full-time defensive leader. He might not be as fast as Mayo but his physical strength makes more of an impact than Mayo’s speed. I also think Hightower just has a better feel in coverage that makes up for that extra step Mayo might have.
Collins is right there with Hightower, and learning to be patient might be the best advancement of his game this year. He has the speed and athleticism that allow him to diagnose in that split second post-snap, then fly to the ball. Collins can do it all and he’ll need to be an impact player this next month for the Pats to make the Super Bowl.
They have to re-sign Revis. Belichick and Brady don’t have forever and when you have a corner like Revis in house, one who can be the center of an entire defensive game plan, you have to keep him.
Sealver Siliga and Chris Jones built on their 2013 seasons and both seem like long-term building blocks on the DL. Siliga especially is a great find and he should be able to ease the inevitable transition from Wilfork.
For Wilfork to come back from an Achilles tear like he did was amazing. And now, with a solid DT rotation around him, he should be fresher for the playoffs than he was from 2010-2012, when the Pats effectively ran him into the ground.
Chandler Jones’ injury was unfortunate, but how the Pats got by with Akeem Ayers without him was pretty amazing too. Ayers has seen his role subside since Chandler’s return, but he’ll be a big part of the playoffs against heavy passing teams.
The offensive line might be the headline weakness of the 2014 season, led by Nate Solder’s regression Dan Connolly should hopefully be healthy for the playoffs and his presence is much-needed. But after center, I don’t think any OL spot is off the table this offseason.
Between Edelman/Gronk/LaFell/Wright, the major pieces for the Pats offensive weaponry is in good shape, but the running back position will be one to watch this offseason. I really have no clue how that will all play out. Do Ridley/Vereen come back? Is Jonas Gray a building block? How much of a role can Blount play? Great questions, and maybe the answer lies in the draft.
Upgrading the SS spot will be another area to look at this offseason. Chung started strong and is good against the run, but he was exposed in pass coverage more and more as the season went along. Tavon Wilson seemed to be getting more and more looks as well. Maybe he’s an option. But someone with size who can cover would be ideal, not that those guys grow on trees.
Still, Revis will be the first chip to fall this offseason, followed closely by McCourty. Both are vital in my view.
Heading out of town for an overnight trip, then I’ll be back later this week with the final three GIFs of the season and some early playoff thoughts.
Here’s to a great 2014, with more big wins, especially on the road, than we’ve had in a while around here. Expectations are sky high now, but I know the Pats will bring it.
