New England Patriots: Five bold predictions for the 2017 season
By Ben Porter
2. The defense will outperform the offense
In 2016, the Patriots offense ranked 3rd in the NFL in points per game (27.6), 4th in passing yard per game (269.2), 7th in rushing yards per game (117), and 4th in total yards per game (386.2). Those stats include four games in which Tom Brady was suspended due to some sort of vendetta held by Roger Goodell (don’t get me started). This season was an offensive masterpiece.
The defense, however, gets overlooked. This defense ranked 8th in total yards allowed per game (326.4), 3rd in rush yards allowed per game (88.6), and allowed the fewest points per game (15.6). The Patriots’ secondary was middling, as they ranked 12th in pass yards allowed per game (237.9).
Fast forward to now, one Super Bowl ring later, and the Patriots find themselves with a bolstered secondary after adding Pro-Bowl CB Stephon Gilmore. While the loss of Rob Ninkovich will surely hurt the Patriots defense, it is still looking very strong. The addition of Gilmore renders the Patriots secondary a no fly zone for opposing aerial attacks, while the stiff run defense remains intact.
The offense will no doubt flourish, but these are bold predictions, my friends. The defense will outperform the offense in rankings by season’s end.