The New England Patriots have yet to put it all together through the first 10 weeks of the NFL season, which is a reason why their best football is ahead of them.
Injuries on both sides of the ball, a lack of urgency at times and an absence of mental toughness on the road are all the reasons to be concerned about the 2018 New England Patriots. While injuries happen, a Bill Belichick coached team has never been known to lack in the other two areas.
In losing to the Tennessee Titans 34-10, the Patriots simply lacked execution and looked like a team anxious to go into their bye week as soon as the Titans scored their first touchdown. The defense didn’t play well, Tom Brady didn’t play well, the coaches got out-coached and now the rest of the NFL is gloating about the demise of the New England Patriots.
Yes, even with the team still standing at 7-3.
How quickly the team’s six-game winning streak was forgotten. How quickly their victories over team’s like the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers were forgotten.
In the latest chapter of overreaction, Tom Brady and the Patriots are not good anymore. But, this is also a team that hasn’t been healthy all season and Brady has not had his full array of weapons on the field at the same time. Add the fact that the team was punched in the mouth by the Titans and there is all reason to believe the team’s best football is ahead of them.
It has to be if this team wants any chance of having homefield advantage in the playoffs.
Over the bye week, the team will definitely work on a few things. They will also get healthy in the process. As badly as the team played, Tom Brady is confidence things will improve.
"“I know different guys are battling through some things this time of year,” Brady said Monday night on Westwood One Radio. “It’s a very physical sport. But we’ll see how it all plays out over the next six weeks. But I think all of our best football is ahead of us.”"
Here are five reasons Tom Brady is absolutely right. The best football still lies ahead for the New England Patriots.
Sony Michel and the running game
It is no coincidence that the New England Patriots have had their best offensive games when they have some semblance of a running game. Just the threat of the run opens up things for Tom Brady and the passing game.
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We saw it on Sunday. Julian Edelman was wide open at times and that came off the play action. But, because the team couldn’t maintain a consistent running game, the Tennessee Titans were able to tee off on Brady and force him into bad decisions.
With Sony Michel now back, the running game should once again open up things in the passing game.
Before he went down with an injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 7, Michel was really starting to hit his stride and become a weapon on the ground. In those games, the Patriots scored 38, 38 and 43 points.
With Rex Burkhead also due to return, the depth at running back gives Tom Brady other options. It sets up draw plays as well as play action. Most importantly, it keeps opposing team’s defenses off balance.
Also, with the colder weather setting in, the running game will become even more important. Not only will it establish some kind of flow to the Patriots’ offense, it will also keep their 41-year-old quarterback off his back.
Josh Gordon will continue to get better
Although Sunday was a step back for wide receiver Josh Gordon following a breakout game against the Green Bay Packers, things will continue to get better as he becomes more and more comfortable in the offense.
You can see the trust Tom Brady is developing in Gordon as he did target him 12 times. While the man known as flash only caught for of those passes, one of the passes he did haul in was a 44-yard bomb in the first drive of the game.
Those are the types of plays to expect from Gordon, especially once Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman are both on the field with him. As long as he stays committed to the game as well as focused on getting better, he should continue trending into a viable weapon for Brady over the next six weeks.
With 477 yards receiving on the season, he should at least mimic those numbers following the bye week. He will also have time to heal a finger injury that may have impacted him on the field Sunday.
More speed on defense
The New England Patriots have not been consistently good on defense, particularly on the road.
With a lack of speed at the linebacker position as well as some poor play in the secondary, Bill Belichick has some things to fix. Some of it is scheme, but a lot of it is adding some speed to cover running backs and tight ends out of the backfield.
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Patrick Chung has had his moments and linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts have been okay but adding some speed has been a focus of Belichick with some of the recent transactions the team has made.
In activating second-round pick Duke Dawson to the 53-man active roster, the Patriots are adding depth to the secondary and a player who does add speed and physicality. When it comes to covering tight ends, the addition of safety Obi Melinfonwu should help with that.
Melinfonwu is a former second-round pick who has the size and speed to stay with tight ends. Whether he works out is the question. In addition, the players who are already on the team have to get better and they will. Veteran edge rusher Adrian Clayborn is finally showing what he can do. The team also has Derek Rivers who adds speed off the edge.
The 2017 third-round pick hasn’t been active most games, but he should see more action in the second half of the season.
Overall, the defense just needs to be more physical and show mental toughness on the road. They are not the most talented defense, but they have enough playmakers and veterans to prevent being dominated like they were Sunday in Nashville.
Rob Gronkowski will unload
Retirement talks are back on for Rob Gronkowski, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a last burst of dominance in him.
Before missing the last two games due to back issues, Gronkowski hasn’t really looked like himself. Much of that may have been due to a nagging ankle injury and the ongoing back spasms. Teams have also been defending the Patriots tight end differently when he is on the field.
Due to the lack of weapons the Patriots did have towards the beginning of the season, it was easy to double and triple team Rob Gronkowski. However, with Julian Edelman back in the mix, the threat of Josh Gordon and the reliability of James White out of the backfield, a close to healthy Gronkowski will be a factor in the last six weeks of the season.
If you remember last season, it was towards the end of the season when Gronkowski unleashed. He was basically unstoppable in back-to-back games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.
Expect something similar going down the stretch this season.
If this is nearing the end for Rob Gronkowski, he will certainly try to go out with a bang.
Tom Brady will be better
All eyes will be on Tom Brady the final six weeks of the season and he will respond.
Throughout his long NFL career, Brady has always excelled when there was criticism surrounding him and this season will be no different.
With many of his haters claiming his time has come, Brady recognizes he has to adjust to improve the team’s offense. He is also not ready to give into time just yet. The New England Patriots quarterback has still thrown for 2,748 yards and 17 touchdowns this season despite not looking his best.
Now that he’s done trying to catch the wall, Tom Brady recognizes he has to spread the ball around. Given the weapons he will have coming out of the bye week, finding the open man will help get the offense back and gear and turn Tom Brady back into Tom Brady.
"“I have to figure out a way to get the ball to everybody, so we can all make plays,” Brady said Monday, as transcribed by ESPN. “When everyone is making plays, I think our offense is tough to stop. That will certainly be something we try to focus on and make sure everyone is getting looks they deserve and make plays when we get them.”"
With Rob Gronkowski returning, that should be easier. In the game against Tennessee, Brady forced the ball to both Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon too many times. With other weapons on the field like James White, Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett to go along with Gronk, Gordon and Edelman, Tom Brady will have his choice of targets on any given play.
As long as the offensive line does their job, the offense will be just fine down the stretch if not more explosive.