Josh Gordon can finally prove himself in the playoffs

Josh Gordon spent six years in Cleveland, never coming close to the playoffs. Now he has a chance to prove himself with the Patriots.

In 2018, Josh Gordon has gotten a fresh start to his career in the NFL.

Not only has he seemingly distanced himself from the off-the-field health problems that greatly marred the first six years of his career, but he has also left the league’s most downtrodden franchise for the most successful one over the last two decades.

Though Gordon had superstar potential while with the Cleveland Browns, it was evident that his career was going nowhere in northern Ohio. Now he’s with the New England Patriots, catching passes from football’s best quarterback Tom Brady, and his career is finally thriving.

At last, Gordon will have a chance to showcase his talents in January — something he never really even came close to in Cleveland.

As expected, he’s ready for the opportunity.

“This part of the season is Patriots football,” Gordon said in an interview on Patriots.com. “It’s what they’re known for. We’ve got to put our foot to the gas and get it goin’.”

When December rolls around in New England, it takes on a playoff atmosphere. The weather gets very cold, sometimes Gillette Stadium is covered in snow, and the push towards January becomes more intense than ever.

It wasn’t always like this, but a home playoff game in Foxborough has become an annual tradition for the Patriots. At this time of year, the team and the fans always have a “Super Bowl or bust” mentality.

That mentality is all but non-existent in Cleveland. Gordon has gone his entire career to this point with having an opportunity to even sniff the playoffs. Now he will be playing in January for a team that is accustomed to winning playoff games.

It’s a golden opportunity for the 27-year-old. If you can become a playoff hero in New England, or even just contribute a little bit to a Patriots Super Bowl run, then you have done something right.