2011 NFL Predictions: AFC East New England Patriots

New England Patriots

Last Season: 14 – 2

2011 NFL Draft: T Nate Solder (Colorado, Rd. 1/Pick 17), CB Ras-I Dowling (Virginia, Rd. 2/Pick 1), RB Shane Vereen (California, Rd. 2/Pick 24), RB Stevan Ridley (LSU, Rd. 3/Pick 9), QB Ryan Mallett (Arkansas, Rd. 3/Pick 10), T Marcus Cannon (TCU, Rd. 5/Pick 7), TE Lee Smith (Marshall, Rd. 5/Pick 28), DE Markell Carter (Central Arkansas, Rd. 6/Pick 29), DB Malcolm Williams (TCU, Rd. 7/Pick 16)

Key Additions: DT Albert Haynesworth, WR Chad Ochocinco

Key Losses: DT Ty Warren, K Shayne Graham

2010 Individual Stat Leaders:

• Passing yards — Tom Brady — 3,900 yards

• Passing touchdowns — Tom Brady — 36

• Rushing yards — BenJarvus Green-Ellis — 1,008 yards

• Rushing touchdowns ­— BenJarvus Green-Ellis — 13

• Receiving yards — Wes Welker — 848 yards

• Receiving touchdowns — Rob Gronkowski — 10

• Tackles — Jerod Mayo — 174

• Sacks — Mike Wright — 6

• Interceptions — Devin McCourty — 7

2011 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Dolphins

Week 2: Chargers

Week 3: @ Bills

Week 4: @ Raiders

Week 5: NY Jets

Week 6: Cowboys

Week 7: Bye

Week 8: @ Steelers

Week 9: NY Giants

Week 10: @ NY Jets

Week 11: Chiefs

Week 12: @ Eagles

Week 13: Colts

Week 14: @ Redskins

Week 15: @ Broncos

Week 16: Dolphins

Week 17: Bills

Analysis: The Patriots went 14-2 last season and had an MVP quarterback in Tom Brady without a playmaker wide receiver or running back. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis came from nowhere to rush for 1,008 yards and 13 touchdowns and little RB Danny Woodhead added another 547 yards and five touchdowns. If the two can keep the workload up in 2011, it will take more pressure off Brady. With the addition of WR Chad Ochocinco from a trade with the Bengals, Brady now has a playmaker receiver to go along with his hardworking core of Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Brandon Tate as well as tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. All five receivers had over 400 yards and three touchdowns last season. The weakness last year was the Patriots defense. If Bill Belichick can get DT Albert Haynesworth to play like he did in Tennessee, the defense would receive an instant boost. CB Ras-I Dowling could be affective when teamed with CB Devin McCourty in protecting against the pass. Ultimately, Brady isn’t getting any younger, and while he is not on the decline yet, he needs to make the best of what he has in his young team. He makes things happen, and the Patriots won’t let down in 2011.

2011 Season Prediction: 13-3, AFC East champions

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