New England Patriots enthusiasts have had a lot to be thankful for over the more than 20 years, with AFC championships, six Super Bowl titles and plenty of drama.
This season is a little different. The Patriots are 4-6, and it’s hard to get a smart read after beating the Baltimore Ravens 6-4 and losing the Houston Texans 3-7 in straight weeks.
But it’s the holiday season. So, dive into “Planes, Trains and Cars,” relax and read all the reasons to be positive about this year’s Patriots team.
Cam Newton Newton’s improvement had a complicated time of weeks 3 to 7, which increasingly resembles his serious disorders at weeks 6 and 7 because he was out of sync after missing week four with COVID-19.
Newton is PFF’s sixth quarterback and fourth pin since week 8.
Newton hasn’t released an intercept since October, and his accuracy and convenience in the offensive seem to increase every week. We’ll see if that continues on Sunday as opposed to the Arizona Cardinals 6-4.
Damien Harris, regularly Harris is the most productive ball carrier on the PFF this season. He is a laughing player to consider due to his categorical refusal to go down on the first contact, and if he stays healthy and continues his current trajectory, there may simply be a 1,000-yard season.
With Rex Burkhead lost during the year, the Patriots want to rely more on Harris in the red zone. This can be good news for fantasy homeowners who would like to see more Harris touchdowns.
We’ll see how Sony Michel cares about the Patriots’ offense when he returns from the injured reserve. Newton said Michel had had “fresh legs” in practice.
The versatility of Mike Onwenu What a choice. The Patriots spent a sixth-round selection on the Michigan product (they continue to do so), and he played as a left guard, right guard, right shot and tight finish this season. He’s PFF’s ninth offensive lineman.
The second-best rookie on the list ranks 29th, and is Tristan Wirfs, selected in the first round by the Buccaneers.
The Patriots’ offensive line, in general, has been the team’s greatest strength this season.
JC Jackson Jackson’s ball skills led the NFL with six interceptions. He had an era from the sixth to the tenth week in which he had an interception in each and every game.
Jackson has tended to give up some major games this season, but that’s also because he faced a tougher festival with the injured Stephon Gilmore.
Jackson is a promising young professional with a good eye for the ball; is the only Patriot defense that has improved; defensive finisher Deatrich Wise and supporter Chase Winovich have also progressed this season.
The rise of Jakobi Meyers The Patriots discovered a flexible and admonished catcher for Meyers last spring after the 2020 NFL draft at the rookie agency.
He has a season with 31 receptions for 391 yards over the more than five weeks and is at a speed of 950 yards if he helps maintain the same speed as the last five weeks in the last six games of the season.
Accuracy of Jake Bailey The Patriots’ gambler has been this season, with only one landing and 15 of 27 clearings placed within the 20-yard line. He’s definitely one of the NFL’s most productive gamblers.