New England Patriots

5 Final Predictions For The New England Patriots' 2016 Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The New England Patriots’ 2016 campaign kicks off on Sunday, and the predictions are coming in hot with so many question marks surrounding this team.

There’s a lot to take into consideration when pondering the possibilities of the New England Patriots’ 2016 season. First and foremost, how will the Patriots fare during the four Tom Brady-less games to start the year? Can Jimmy Garoppolo carry this offense, or will he dig a deep hole before the future Hall of Famer returns?

Can the Patriots’ star players stay healthy? Do the Patriots have enough depth to keep big injuries from derailing their quest for another Lombardi Trophy? It’s been a big concern over the past few years with players like Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola always on the injury report.

Does the New England defense have enough talent up front to help its secondary keep opposing passing games at bay? The departure of Chandler Jones will hurt, and Rob Ninkovich being suspended doesn’t help. Who will step into the top pass rusher role, and will they get the job done as well as their predecessor?

So many questions, and so little time before 2016 gets under way. With that in mind, here are five final predictions for the Patriots’ 2016 season.

5. Barkevious Mingo Leads The Team In Sacks

I’m a firm believer that some guys just need a change of scenery to bring out their true potential. That could very well be the case for Barkevious Mingo, who the Patriots recently acquired from the Cleveland Browns.

While this prediction may be a bit on the “bold” side of things, I wouldn’t be surprised if things panned out this way. It has partly to do with Mingo’s natural abilities and partly to do with the fact that the Patriots no longer have a dominant presence in the pass rushing department.

This offseason, New England traded away their sack leader Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals. Their top returner in sacks is Jabaal Sheard, who had eight last season. The second-best returner in sacks is Ninkovich, who had 6.5 in 2015, but is suspended for the first four games of 2016.

Can Mingo surpass eight sacks? I can’t be sure, but he did post five as a rookie and has the athleticism and bend off the edge to be a force. If the Patriots can work their magic with the former first-round pick, Mingo could pay huge dividends in the not-so-distant future.

According to Pro Football Focus, he shined in his Patriots debut. It makes me believe this new opportunity could be just what Mingo needs to spark some production. A little Bill Belichick voodoo never hurts either.

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4. Jimmy Garoppolo Shines As Team Starts 3-1

The Patriots’ first four games of 2016 will definitely put Jimmy Garoppolo to the test. With the young quarterback standing in for the suspended Brady, it’s going to be very important for New England to win some early games and avoid digging itself an early hole. Luckily for them, I think the third-year signal caller is more than capable of bearing the burden.

Garoppolo was a winner at Eastern Illinois, earning the approval of numerous NFL teams despite playing in the FCS. When the Patriots nabbed him in the second round, he seemed destined to be the heir apparent at quarterback. The only question was when he’d get that opportunity.

Now is that time, although this may be more of a chance to audition for other teams rather than secure his spot as Brady’s eventual replacement. After all, they did spend a third-round pick on Jacoby Brissett this past April.

The Patriots face the Cardinals on the road in Week 1, a game which I believe they’ll lose. From there, however, I feel confident they’re take care of the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills before Brady’s return in Week 5.

That should give New England a strong foundation for a playoff run, and give interested teams plenty of tape on Garoppolo.

3. Gronkowski, Bennett Both Finish With 800+ Receiving Yards

Since Brady took over under center in 2001, the Patriots have leaned overwhelmingly on the passing attack to win games. That doesn’t appear to be changing this season, which is why I believe the team’s top two tight ends will devour defenses at an alarming rate.

We know what type of damage Rob Gronkowski can do—there’s a reason he’s on the cover of Madden 17. He’s also earned the designation as the NFL’s best tight end for more than just his touchdown dances. Gronk has finished the last two seasons with over 1,100 yards, so it’s a no-brainer on his part.

In the case of Martellus Bennett, though, things aren’t as clear cut. Only once in his NFL career has he broken the 800-yard mark—in 2014 with the Chicago Bears. Beyond that, he’s only gone over 440 yards twice in seven other seasons.

Still, with a top quarterback like Brady throwing his way, I think Bennett is more than capable of eclipsing the 800-yard mark again. Defenders will be busy covering Gronk, Edelman and Amendola, which should create more than enough opportunities for the 6-foot-6 tight end.

By the time 2016 is over, the Patriots may just have the best tight end duo in the NFL.

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2. D.J. Foster Emerges As Legitimate Playmaker

This one is a little bolder than most. However, based on what I saw from him at Arizona State, I truly believe D.J. Foster could be a playmaker in the NFL. It also helps that he shined during his preseason debut in New England.

In his lone appearance this preseason, Foster hauled in nine passes for 110 yards while also picking up 22 yards on the ground. After receiving significant buzz during camp, he answered the call on the final Thursday of the preseason, essentially securing his spot on the initial 53-man roster.

While there’s still a chance he gets replaced, Foster could just as easily break out as a key cog in the New England offense. It’s not like the Patriots can expect too much from LeGarrette Blount, and Dion Lewis is out at least six weeks with a PUP designation. James White is currently the top third-down back, but may cede that role to Foster if the undrafted rookie continues to shine.

The Patriots love running backs who can be relied upon in the passing game. Foster wields a trustworthy set of hands and is an underrated playmaker, which gives me confidence he’ll earn a role in New England.

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

1. Patriots Finish 11-5, But Fall Short of Super Bowl

It’s difficult to come up with many reasons to bet against the Patriots in 2016, even if Brady is suspended for the first four games. The offense has plenty of weapons, the defense is still looking strong and Bill Belichick is still the head coach.

However, as great as this roster looks, I don’t see them making it all the way to the Super Bowl.

Even with the aforementioned strong start, there are plenty of exciting contenders in the AFC. Many people see the Texans as a team worth watching, while the Denver Broncos still must be taken seriously. I also wouldn’t count out the Pittsburgh Steelers as serious contenders. Even a sleeper like the Oakland Raiders could emerge from the pack.

What else makes me wary of the Patriots’ chances of going the distance is their stars’ proneness to injury. Both Edelman and Amendola are an injury waiting to happen, Lewis isn’t available to start the season, and Gronkowski also tends to end up on the trainer’s table.

Regardless, I just don’t see it happening for the Patriots this season. An 11-5 record will secure a playoff spot, and this team has enough talent to win a game or two. But in the end, I’m predicting a loss in the AFC Championship game.

It’ll be another strong showing from Belichick and Co. But it won’t be enough to win another ring.