Fansided

5 bold predictions for Patriots in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 23: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during New England Patriots offseason organized team activities at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on May 23, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - MAY 23: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on during New England Patriots offseason organized team activities at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on May 23, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JUNE 4: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during day one of a Patriots three-day minicamp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on June 4, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JUNE 4: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws during day one of a Patriots three-day minicamp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on June 4, 2019. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

2. Tom Brady will throw for less than 3,500 yards

For most quarterbacks, throwing for 3,500 yards would represent a career season. For Brady, it would represent a decrease of over 800 yards compared to his 2018 campaign.

This prediction isn’t about calling for a sharp decline in Brady’s skills. He’s still going to be one of the most accurate passers in the NFL. It’s not about calling for an injury either. The Patriots have an exceptional offensive line that keeps their franchise quarterback upright as much as possible.

Instead, it’s about projecting a significant philosophical shift in Belichick’s offense. The lack of talent in Brady’s receiving group is going to force the Patriots to do things a little differently in 2019. Specifically, Belichick is going to commit to running the football like never before.

There’s no coach in the NFL who would enjoy zigging while the rest of the league is zagging more than Belichick. The Patriots are going to try to bludgeon opponents to death with their physical ground game. That philosophy will be particularly evident early in the year while Brady is still trying to get comfortable with his new receivers.

Brady is still going to be surgically efficient in 2019, he just isn’t going to be asked to drop back and throw the ball quite as often. He’ll still comfortably be a Pro Bowler, he just won’t be quite as productive for fantasy owners this season.

Home/New England Patriots