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2016 NFL Season: Final Record Predictions For All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (7) and Blaine Gabbert (2) on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (7) and Blaine Gabbert (2) on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) warm up before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) warm up before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots (11-5)

Biggest Strength:  Tight End

They already have the best in the game at that position.  Rob Gronkowski is a stud who will appear on the cover of Madden, as if he didn’t earn every bit of it.  Now throw in a former Pro Bowler in Martellus Bennett for good measure and suddenly the Patriots are sitting pretty at the tight end position with two options who can both receive and block.

Biggest Weakness:  Wide Receiver

At the same time it looks like the offense has taken a small step back at wide receiver.  Julian Edelman is still a threat but Danny Amendola just took a pay cut to stay for a reason while Nate Washington is an aging vet and Chris Hogan is largely unproven.  There just aren’t a lot of go-to target at that position, which can be dangerous living even when the tight end spot is loaded.

Final Record Reason

At the end of the day as long as the New England Patriots have Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, they’re going to win the AFC East and compete for the Super Bowl.  The proof is much too rich at this point to say otherwise.  That defense should be good and even with Brady perhaps missing the first four games, the team has 2nd and 3rd round picks in Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett ready to step up.

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