New England Patriots 2013 Season Preview

This is a preview of the upcoming season for the New England Patriots. The schedule and tickets for the New England Patriots are included.

Last season: 12-4 (Lost to Ravens in AFC Championship)

Vegas Over/Under: 11.5 Wins

Key Additions: WR Danny Amendola, QB Tim Tebow, S Adrian Wilson

Key Losses: TE Aaron Hernandez, WR Wes Welker, WR Brandon Lloyd

Strength of Schedule: 14

Well, this has been quite the spring for the New England Patriots, and the city of Boston for that matter. Their was the tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon, the Bruins losing in the Stanley Cup finals in wild fashion, Doc Rivers becoming the coach of the Clippers, and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett becoming Brooklyn Nets. The Patriots let Tom Brady’s favorite target Wes Welker sign with Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Tight end Rob Gronkowski just keeps undergoing surgeries to repair his broken forearm and now has undergone surgery to repair a back injury. Oh and Aaron Hernandez, the teams other dynamic tight end was released just before being brought up on first-degree murder charges, five gun charges, and potentially faces more murder charges relating to the deaths of two men back in 2012 (details here). So, there’s that. On a more positive note, the Patriots signed Tim Tebow to the least risky contract possible, brought in Danny Amendola to replace Welker, and still have one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game in Tom Brady, and one of the greatest coaches ever in Bill Belichick.

So with Hernandez heading to jail, Welker in Denver, Brandon Lloyd and Danny Woodhead gone, and Gronk’s status for the opener in question, the Patriots offense is losing a group who combined for over 300 receptions last season. Tom Brady has done well with a lack of weapons before, but this season will really put him to the test. Newly acquired tight end Jake Ballard will now have a much larger role than previous thought and maybe even TEBOW will get a shot at some tight end. Draft picks Aaron Dobson (Marshall) and Josh Boyce (TCU) are going to need to break the trend of Patriots drafting busts at receiver to give Brady another weapon as well. Danny Amendola will truly be the key though, as he was signed specifically to replicate what Welker did for the Patriots offense. Carrying the ground game will be Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen, and the former can be the first Patriot back to post consecutive 1,000 yard seasons since Curtis “my favorite” Martin did it back in 90’s. The Patriots offensive line is still rock solid, coming off a season where they allowed the fifth fewest sacks while ranking fourth in passes attempted.

For the first time in years, the Patriots defense will have some semblance of continuity in the secondary. The Pats resigned corners Aqib Talib and (slot corner) Kyle Arrington, and former corner turned safety Devin McCourtey will all return to their respective roles. Alfonso Denard should lock down the other outside corner spot, with veterans Adrian Wilson, Tavon Wilson, or Steve Gregory taking the other safety spot. The front seven for the Patriots is going to be their biggest strength however. Vince Wilfork is still one of the best interior lineman in the league, and he will be joined on the inside with free agent signing Tommy Kelly. Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones man the outside positions, with each having the versatility to play in multiple defensive fronts. Finally, Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, and Dont’a Hightower round out the linebacking core. To be perfectly honest, the Patriots appear to have more talent defensively than offensively, and are poised to put the best defense on the field in five years.

The Patriots open the season at Ralph Wilson Stadium against the Buffalo Bills. They return to Foxboro the following week to host the New York Jets. You can catch the Patriots in their first home game here, or check out the rest of the Pats games through our schedule with tickets below:

Bottom Line

The line of 11.5 wins for the Patriots is inevitably going to drop with Aaron Hernandez gone for the season. Belichick and Brady have experienced unbelievable success over the past decade but the weapons on offense are as suspect as ever. With the line still at 11.5, I’m going to have to take the under, although this guy will probably make me pay.