In their first season without Tom Brady at quarterback in two decades, the New England Patriots struggled mightily with consistency. The team brought Cam Newton to town as their starting quarterback, and he got off to a decent start but then went down with COVID-19. When he returned, he never seemed to have the level of confidence that he showed before his diagnosis. The Pats had some head-scratching wins, such as a six-point prime-time win over Baltimore and a shocking 45-0 whipping of the Chargers on the road. However, there were also some weird losses, such as a 27-point home loss to San Francisco and a six-point home loss to Denver. The hope in New England is that having Newton back will provide continuity, either to rookie Mac Jones or to whoever emerges as the team’s starter.
Let’s take a look at how the Patriots’ offense might shape up this season and how that can influence your NFL betting.
NFL News: New England Patriots Offense Betting Analysis
Mac Jones is here…but won’t start yet
Alabama’s Mac Jones was the first quarterback that Bill Belichick has ever drafted in the first round. However, Belichick was clear to indicate that Newton was the starting quarterback going into 2021. Newton signed an extension with the team, and now that he has had over a year in the New England system, his play should improve. The seven games that New England won in 2020 should increase, and Jones will have 2021 to learn the Patriots’ system before getting his own chance later this year or in 2022.
The Patriots invested heavily in tight end
Both unter Henry and Jonnu Smith joined the team, two tight ends who will immediately jump-start the Patriot offense. The team also added Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor, two wide receivers who are not elite in the NFL but represent a major overall improvement from what the Pats have had the past two seasons. New England likes to use a 12 personnel look, using a precise horizontal game to attack the center of the field. Defenses have to collapse in response, which opens the sidelines for shots down the field. Smith has both athleticism and size (6’3”, 248 pounds), and he can line up on the end of the line in the traditional tight end spot, flex out wide or even move into the backfield as a hybrid — or join the slot. Henry is more of a conventional tight end, with a block-first approach, but his receiving is still elite, as he was the top target for Justin Herbert with the Chargers in 2020. As far as replacing Julian Edelman in the slot, the team has Gunner Olszewski lined up for a greater role, and rookie Tre Nixon has strong hands and quick feet and could slide into the slot as well.
New England is ready to run the ball
The team has a tailback duo of Damien Harris and Sony Michel to run the ball on the early downs. Harris hits the hole quickly and then takes off when he reaches the second level. Michel has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons but has the size and speed to do damage. James White is still a terrific runner and also carries the ball well, particularly on draw plays coming out of the shotgun formation.
The O-line is stout
David Andrews returns at center, and that was a huge win as he makes the protection calls. Right guard Shaq Mason mows down opposing linemen, and left guard Mike Onwenu had a terrific rookie campaign, appearing at tackle, guard and jumbo tight end. Trent Brown will play right tackle, and Isaiah Wynn will take left tackle. This might be the best line in the AFC East, and it will help the Pats approach 10 wins.
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