New England Patriots 2021 NFL Season Analysis

By Juan Carlos Dorantes@carlosdorantes7). Follow your project on nacionpatriota.com

What seemed like another rebuilding season for this team in Year 2 after the Tom Brady era ended with a disappointing performance by the New England Patriots in the Wild Card round with a blowout to their division rivals, the Bills. At the moment, coach Bill Belichick’s team is at least two steps behind Buffalo in division dominance; however, not everything is negative in these rebuilding Patriots.

Rookie QB Mac Jones was a welcome surprise on the team. While his start was slow, I think it was the right strategy to guide a rookie in this NFL. It’s true that Jones isn’t the type of passer many fans would like to have right now — mobile, athletic, capable of being a threat in the air and on the ground — but he is for the style of play Belichick develops.

We cannot say that these Patriots will return the following season to be contenders, but it is valid to affirm that the bases to compete exist and they will give more than one problem when facing them.

The Patriots offense in 2021

This side of the ball is the one that has been talked about the most in recent seasons, and especially with the departure of the QB that marked a dynasty. In 2020, with little talent and a rather inaccurate Cam Newton, they managed to get some games out, but the situation the franchise was experiencing was clear: there were no playmakers and that offense was not walking.

The 2021 NFL Draft would arrive and many of the fans had an impressive nervousness. New England hadn’t been in the 15th pick for a long time; the Draft was developing and there were two good QB prospects left and, finally, without moving from place, Mac Jones was taken. At the time, no one imagined that rookie would be the one to start the season as a starter.

Quite a few pieces were added in Free Agency (which is why there will be few picks in the next Draft) and some of them were exciting: TEs Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, above all, brought back to the fans beautiful memories when the team played with Two wings closed and it was effective.

However, that style of play didn’t take off against an inconsistent offensive line. Smith was used more for blocking than the passing game; Even so, they were the few opportunities he had, which leaves us with Henry, who managed to finish the season healthy, was the player who developed the most chemistry with the QB, the one who caught the most touchdown passes and to whom the rival defenses paid the most attention. .

Another signing that paid dividends was WR Kendrick Bourne who also managed to develop excellent chemistry with Jones to become dangerous. On third chances, Jakobi Meyers became completely trustworthy.

From the ground attack, without a doubt the best was RB Damien Harris, and with Rhamondre Stevenson he is a magnificent tandem to run and wear down defenses. Brandon Bolden filled in for the injured James White with remarkable work as he came out to receive a pass. This unit kept the offense running well through the season.

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the defensive

The strong card of this team while under the command of BB He came with a great secondary, but he needed to put more pressure on the rival QB. The additions of Matt Judon and rookie Christian Barmore (who from what he’s done this season would look like a steal in the draft) was a boost to this defense that looked better as the year went on. The return of some “prodigal sons” like Kyle Van Noy and Jaime Collins made us think that this defense could only get better.

The season began, and a large absence on the perimeter raised doubts. Stephon Gilmore started 2021 on the list of Injured Reserve, With only JC Jackson starting and Jalen Mills leaving doubts, the defense held. Then Gilmore would leave the team via trade and at a ridiculous price.

The ups and downs in the campaign

Thoughts initially were positive, since more complete teams had won against these Patriots, but not beaten; vmoral victories that don’t count in the record, but in the team’s confidence they do. This defense, much of the season, was New England’s mainstay, the unit that kept games at bay and the Patriots competing.

Without a doubt, the most valuable player who arrived via Free Agency must be Matt Judon, with his 12.5 sacks to the rival QB and the degree of pressure he generated on opposing offenses.

What are the Patriots for in 2022?

The future of the Patriots seems headed in the right direction, it was a good season as a whole, which with work and effort can continue to grow. However, here comes the offseason and for the next period of Free Agency several players will leave the team.

It will be necessary to see the development of the 2022 NFL Draft and the arrivals. Being positive, the hope is to at least maintain the level that in 2021 brought the Playoffs back to New England. We will see how Mac Jones develops in his second season as a professional and, above all, how it is built around him.

Read the rest of our 2021 Season NFL team reviews here: