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AFC East: 5 things to look for in 2018

By Cody Rivera

FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 1: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with quarterback Tom Brady during a break in passing drills at Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 1: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick talks with quarterback Tom Brady during a break in passing drills at Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on Aug. 1, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – JULY 26: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick arrives for the first day on the field at Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on July 26, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JULY 26: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick arrives for the first day on the field at Patriots training camp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on July 26, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

2. The state of New England’s defense

Defensive play, or lack thereof, is the biggest reason why the Patriots weren’t celebrating another Super Bowl victory this past February. Tom Brady threw for over 500 yards and three touchdowns, and the offense put up 33 points – typically would be enough to win a football game – but New England’s defense was absolutely torched by Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles for 41 points.

In other words, the Patriots played in Super Bowl LII without a defense.

Their defense has to be significantly better in 2018 if they are going to win that coveted sixth championship, and there are a few reasons why it can be. Matt Patricia, who was New England’s defensive coordinator for the last six seasons, left to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions. After how his defense performed in the Super Bowl, not many fans were too unhappy to see him go.

Instead of hiring a new defensive coordinator, Bill Belichick will be running the defense instead. This is about as good of a situation as the Patriots could find themselves in, because you won’t find a better defensive football expert than Belichick anywhere in the NFL. Despite various defensive coordinators being on the sidelines over the years, Belichick has always been the mastermind behind New England’s defensive schemes anyway. This move just makes the most sense.

The Pats will also be getting back linebacker Dont’a Hightower, the leader of this defense, after he missed a large chunk of last season, including the playoffs, due to injury. And since things ended sourly with cornerback Malcolm Butler, who departed New England for the Tennessee Titans after mysteriously being kept out of the Super Bowl, it will be important for Stephon Gilmore to finally become the shutdown corner the Patriots need him to be.

New England’s offense will be fine; it always is with Brady in charge. Their biggest key in 2018 will be to make defensive strides, and they should have the tools to do it, especially with Belichick running the show on his own.