2011 New England Patriots Team Preview/Prediction

The main prize was to beat the hated Jets and advance to the AFC Championship Game, which would have been played in New England if the Patriots had been able to get that far.

The bonus attached to that tilt was more personal: The Patriots had the chance to shut up the trash-talking team that, despite a lack of Super Bowl appearances, acted like the greatest thing since sliced bread. The boastful tone coursing through the Jets’ locker room was set by shoot-from-the-lip coach Rex Ryan, who began a steady stream of bold predictions for his team, including a Super Bowl championship, from the outset of training camp.

This was amplified when HBO filmed the critically acclaimed “Hard Knocks” at the team’s training facilities.

Stuffing and silencing the Jets gave New England the gateway to home-field advantage in the conference title game, but it also promised bragging rights over and against New York throughout the coming offseason.

However, New England failed both of its objectives against the Jets, and as a result, the Patriots had to hear about their grave disappointment throughout the offseason.

When a team wins fourteen games in the regular season, it does not have many issues. This is true for New England. However, the offensive line is worth paying attention to. After spending a first round pick on offensive tackle Nate Solder, the Patriots’ confidence in a sturdy veteran, left tackle Matt Light, might be waning.

Light’s time in the New England region seems to be numbered on a day by day basis. Guard Logan Mankins was given the franchise tag, and his newly-inked deal should anchor New England up front, but one wonders if the big uglies will be as consistent as they were last year.

The men who protect Tom Brady need to answer the bell if the Pats are going to win the Super Bowl for the first time since 2005.

Observers should also pay attention to the defensive side of the pigskin. The Pats were able to hide most of their defensive problems in 2010 because they could just outscore their opponents.

Since leads were so large for New England last season, opposing teams became very one dimensional, which played right into the hands of head coach Bill Belichick. The Pats were exposed once the offense ran into Rex Ryan’s defense in the 2010 AFC Divisional Playoff game, and were forced to defend the Jets’ offense straight up. It became clear on this huge stage that the pass rush was insufficient. The Pats’ best pass rusher, Jermaine Cunningham, is a good player, but not a game changer. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

This lack of authoritativeness needs to be addressed. While New England seemed set at cornerback with Devin McCourty and the return of injured Leigh Bodden, the safety position appears overvalued. Patrick Chung is not exactly a transformative player, but he is not the problem.

Brandon Meriweather, who is very talented, sometimes lets his emotions get the best of him and detract from his performance.

This cannot happen anymore for New England’s back line of defense.

While the Pats are the best franchise in the league, they might not have the best team this season. New England’s consistency will be questioned after a 2010 regular season in which everything went right.

This year, it will likely be harder for the Patriots to secure a first-round bye and gain leverage in the AFC playoff chase.