New England Patriots: 5 Predictions For The 2015 NFL Season

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) walk thru the tunnel prior to their 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Defending the crown isn’t going to be a cakewalk for the New England Patriots. Here are five predictions for their 2015 NFL season.

Make the playoffs but fail to win the AFC East

It’s just too hard to imagine the Patriots not making the playoffs. Sure because they’re the defending champs but also because they haven’t missed them since 2008. That was the same year they failed to win the AFC East title and the same year they didn’t have Tom Brady for a full season. While the loss won’t be as bad this time due to the suspension, the Patriots have suffered other tough losses on their roster. Enough to make them seem vulnerable to a division that isn’t the cupcake its been in years past. One of those teams is going to step up and steal the division crown in Brady’s absence, though the Patriots will do enough to reach January.

Pass defense goes first to worst

As tough as the Brady loss is on offense, the bigger problem may be the series of losses that defense suffered. Three key pieces to their championship run in cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Kyle Arrington are all with other teams now. Bill Belichick and the Patriots have a history of not overpaying veterans but at times it’s a strategy that has backfired on them. To lose their three best cover men all in the same off-season is tough to overcome, no matter how good Belichick is with his schemes. New England may find stopping teams through the air a lot more difficult this season.

Jimmy Garoppolo gets traded before mid-season deadline

Talk about acting quickly. Lots of buzz has been building around the first chance for the Patriots (and the rest of the NFL) to get a look at former 2nd round pick Jimmy Garoppolo who will start in place of Brady as he serves his suspension. New England took him as what many felt was a future replacement to the Hall of Famer, but it’s also very possible the team may seek to use him as valuable bait in the trade. Given the fact they will lose their 1st round pick in 2016, this avenue seems more enticing by the day. If Garoppolo emerges from the bench and plays really well during his opportunity, don’t be surprised if another team acts before the deadline in Week 8 to secure his services as a future starter.

Tom Brady annihilates the Colts again in first game back

History shows the New England Patriots love to send a message to people when they think they’re being wronged, regardless whether they were or not. What better way to do so than pound on the Indianapolis Colts again in the first game Tom Brady is scheduled to be back from his suspension? It’s the team that started the Deflategate scandal. Hard to imagine Brady not doing anything short of selling off his own children to win that game and win it big.

Malcom Brown and Dominique Easley start opening day

Vince Wilfork will be missed in that Patriots defensive line. Not just for his talent but his leadership as well. Suddenly the middle of that unit seems suspect, but the team has quietly prepared for it by using their two previous 1st round draft picks on defensive tackles in Dominique Easley and Malcom Brown. The two, based on skill sets are an ideal compliment to each other with Easley being the interior pass rusher and Brown being the big run stuffer. Look for the team to usher in that new era with both starting opening day.

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