2015 NFL Preview: Patriots look to repeat as Super Bowl champions
AFC Previews
BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
DEN | KC | OAK | SD
NFC Previews
DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | STL | SF | SEA
New England Patriots
| 2014 Record | 2014 Finish |
|---|---|
| 12-4 | Won Super Bowl XLIX |
The Patriots continued their reign over the AFC East last season, winning their sixth consecutive division title and 12th since 2001. They also took home their fourth Super Bowl championship – a victory overshadowed by the "Deflategate" scandal, which resulted in the loss of two draft picks and a four-game suspension for quarterback Tom Brady.
Highlight of 2014
Cornerback Malcolm Butler, who started the season on the practice squad, picked off Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at the goal line with 20 seconds remaining to clinch a victory for the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
Preseason Power Ranking - #3
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2015 Season Outlook
Head Coach: Bill Belichick
Off. Coordinator: Josh McDaniels
Def. Coordinator: Matt Patricia
Opening the season without Brady isn't ideal, but the Patriots boast one of the league's easiest schedules based on opponents' 2014 winning percentage. Their home schedule – which includes matchups against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, and Tennessee Titans – is particularly favorable.
That said, the Patriots also have to contend with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets in the AFC East, all of whom made significant improvements this offseason. A Week 4 bye isn't overly appealing, either.
Key Additions
- DL Malcom Brown (1st round)
- DL Jabaal Sheard
- WR Brandon Gibson
- RB Travaris Cadet
- TE Scott Chandler
Key Departures
- CB Darrelle Revis
- CB Brandon Browner
- DT Vince Wilfork
- RB Shane Vereen
- RB Stevan Ridley
- OG Dan Connolly
New England bid farewell to several familiar faces this offseason, most notably Revis and Wilfork. Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler appears primed to take over for Revis at cornerback opposite Logan Ryan, while Brown will be tasked with helping to replace Wilfork.
Cadet has impressed in training camp thus far and should help fill the backfield pass-catching role vacated by Vereen, provided he can bounce back from a leg injury.
Bold Predictions
Jimmy Garoppolo will start AND finish the season as the starter. After spending all of 2014 behind Brady, Garoppolo will get an opportunity to prove what he's capable of this season. Brady may not be ready to call it quits anytime soon, but if Garoppolo comes in and wows everyone, he just might hang onto the job beyond the first four games. - Caitlyn Holroyd
Chandler Jones will lead the league in sacks. After missing six games in 2014 with a hip injury, Jones is back healthy and will be set loose this season. The Patriots need to make up for their loses in the secondary and the best way to do that is by attacking the quarterback. - Justin Boone
The Patriots will miss the playoffs. New England had made the postseason in 11 of the last 12 seasons, but all good things must come to an end. The team didn't adjust to the AFC East arms race, and will be supplanted by Miami and Buffalo. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. - Arun Srinivasan