5 teams that will threaten the New England Patriots in AFC

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots speaks to the media after losing 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates with Marqise Lee #11 after a touchdown in the second quarter during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are the first team on this list that approach the game in a conservative manner. Jacksonville fans might prefer the term “old school.” At any rate, Doug Marrone attempts to control each game with a physical running game and stout defense.

Leonard Fournette was drafted to bludgeon opposing defenses and that’s exactly what he does. He broke 1,000 yards rushing last season, but he only averaged 3.9 yards per rush. Think of him as the jab that softens up the opposing boxer for the knockout blow. The team will expect the big-money acquisition of Andrew Norwell to give Fournette more holes to run through this season.

Curiously, the Jaguars try to use their defense to deliver their hammer blows. Calais Campbell anchors Jacksonville’s physical front line while Jalen Ramsey lends star power to their secondary. The Jags have just enough playmakers on defense to give the Patriots trouble. They almost had enough to knock them out of the playoffs last year.

If Jacksonville really wants to step forward into elite company, they will need Blake Bortles to take a significant step forward. He didn’t make many mistakes last year, but he doesn’t make nearly enough plays. This is a Super Bowl caliber roster with a weakness at quarterback. That’s what allows the Patriots to remain the favorites in the AFC.

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