Coming off their sixth Super Bowl the New England Patriots remain the class of the NFL. Media pundits around the country are always trying to predict when exactly the Patriots’ dynasty will end. Many thought that last year was going to be the year, some are saying that again this year. The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers each won twelve games last year, but the Patriots beat both of them on the way to their Super Bowl victory. The Houston Texans have never proven they can be counted on in the playoffs. Andrew Luck retired, crushing the Indianapolis Colts’ dreams. The Pittsburgh Steelers lost Antonio Brown and Le’veon Bell last year. The Cleveland Browns have received loads of offseason hype, but should not be trusted to do much of anything until they actually prove it. So who has the best chance of taking the Patriots? Does anyone actually stand a real chance?
In the playoffs last year, the Patriots went with a very run heavy offensive attack featuring Sony Michel. Michel scored the Super Bowl’s only touchdown, capping off an extremely effective playoff run. He ended with a total of 336 total yards on 71 carries and scored six touchdowns, three of which came in the trouncing of my beloved Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots also have James White, fresh off a career year himself, who is one of the best pass catching running backs in the league. Last season White amassed over 1,000 scrimmage yards and 12 total touchdowns. Word out of training camp has been that Michel has become quite proficient as a pass catcher himself. Something the Patriots will certainly use to diversify their offense even more so defenses won’t be able to key in on one running back meaning pass or run. This is all very important because the other Patriots weapons are more in flux than ever before.
The retirement of Rob Gronkowski has loomed large over them all throughout the offseason. They’ve cycled through potential options but it seems they’ll take their chances with two very unproven players in 2108 7th round draft pick Ryan Izzo and fourth year player Matt LacCosse. Beyond Julian Edelman, the rest of the pass catchers in New England remain somewhat of a mystery. The X factor at receiver is Josh Gordon. We all know that he is extremely gifted. Their offense was quite a bit better when he was on the field last year, to the tune of 60 yards and 2.5 points more per game. Gordon only had two 100 yard games (100 against the Bears and 130 against the Packers) but averaged an impressive 18 yards per catch. If Gordon can stay on the field, and that’s a big if, the Patriots should have their hands on an elite offense. Until the passing attack sorts itself out we should expect the Patriots to lean on their two elite running backs.
As for the 2019 season, they still play in the worst division in the league. So we know for a fact that they’ll be back in the playoffs. Death, taxes and the rest of the AFC East being terrible. One team in the division will probably manage to win a home game against the Patriots, but expect them to go 5-1. The rest of their schedule is very favorable, shocker I know. They get the Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys and Steelers all at home, where they are nearly unbeatable. They do have difficult road games against the Ravens, Texans and Eagles. But should be able to win at least two of those games. 11 wins is probably the worst case scenario here.
When it comes to challengers for the Patriots there really is only one team: The Kansas City Chiefs. They have the least amount of question marks heading into the 2019 season. The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the worst offensive lines in the league, at least while Russel Okung is out. All Pro safety Derwin James is out until November. As of writing this, Melvin Gordon is still holding out and is unlikely to report anytime soon. The Pittsburgh Steelers have more vacated targets than anyone in the league with the departures of Antonio Brown and Jesse James. Juju Smith-Schuster and James Conner are stars on the rise, but will Big Ben be able to rekindle the same kind of chemistry that he had with Brown and Bell? The Cleveland Browns have a rookie head coach and their offensive line is questionable at best. The Houston Texans traded for Laremy Tunsil, which is a much needed upgrade on the offensive line. But they also traded away edge defender Jadeveon Clowney, further weakening an already weak defense (JJ Watt can only do so much). The Jacksonville Jaguars upgraded the quarterback position but their offense still lacks playmakers outside of Leonard Fournette and Dede Westbrook. We know Fournette will miss games and when that happens, that offense will struggle to score points.
The Chiefs have the best quarterback currently playing football, fresh off a record setting and MVP season. They have the league's fastest receiving core, which also includes the league's best tight end. Even though Damien Williams played awesome once Kareem Hunt was cut, some were concerned about their running back position. They solved that this week by adding Lesean McCoy, who will provide a great one-two punch with Williams. Expect the Chiefs’ offense to be at the top of the league once again. Dee Ford, Eric Berry and Justin Houston are gone on defense but they added Frank Clark, Alex Okafor, Tryann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill via free agency and the draft. That unit should be much improved, especially if Chris Jones can continue to ascend. Their one concern on the whole team is that the lack of cornerback depth, but that’s it folks. That’s their one and only concern. Vegas has their over/under at 10.5 wins, take the over and thank me later! Playing the Chargers in Mexico City will be tough, as will road games in New England and Chicago down the stretch but their schedule lacks any sure fire hiccups.
The AFC is a two horse race. If anyone is able to dethrone the Patriots this year, it will be the Kansas City Chiefs. The real question is if Andy Reid can get the job done in a likely AFC Championship game rematch. I think that the answer is yes, but it is tough to predict anyone else getting to the Super Bowl as long as Tom Brady is in New England.
-By Steven Haglund