4 reasons the Patriots are vulnerable in 2019
4. AFC is growing stronger
In recent years, it has seemed that the only real challenger to the NewEngland Patriots was the Pittsburgh Steelers. Outside of Ben Roethlisberger and Co., it was a gaggle of pseudo contenders that either didn’t have the quarterback to challenge Tom Brady, or a roster with one or two fatal flaws.
This is changing. The Kansas City Chiefs are one of if not the strongest teams in the league led by a 23-year-old MVP in Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. The Los Angeles Chargers might have the league’s most complete roster and a Hall of Famer in Philip Rivers under center. The Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns are both strong, and with a good rookie crop and some luck, could be playing in the AFC title game.
3. Lack of a pass rush
The Patriots haven’t had a great pass rush since there days of Chandler Jones, but the current group seems motley even by their standards. Yes, Michael Bennett gives head coach Bill Belichick a nice chess piece, but the losses of both Trey Flowers and Adrian Clayborn matter. New England has to hope that someone unforeseen steps up and can contribute in pass-rushing situations.
2. Tom Brady is 42 years old
Brady continues to churn on as the greatest quarterback we’ve ever seen, but Father Time is undefeated. Brady is turning 42 years old in August, and while he contends that playing to 45 is going to happen, odds and history say that’s a long shot. At some juncture, Brady is either going to suffer an inevitable injury or his play will sharply decline in the natural sense. Nobody has defied the odds better than Brady has throughout his illustrious career, but every man has his time of diminishing physical ability.
1. Departure of Rob Gronkowski
Gronkowski wasn’t the superstar of years past in 2018, but his importance to the offense can’t be overstated. Gronkowski is perhaps the greatest tight end of all time and continued to be a force in the playoffs last year. Â Against the Chargers, Gronkowski put on a blocking tour de force, driving defenders out of the way for Sony Michel. Against both the Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams, Gronkowski made the biggest receptions of the game, willing his team to a sixth Super Bowl title since 2001.
Without him in the fold, the Patriots have Julian Edelman and a ton of question marks. N’Keal Harry is expected to play ample snaps as a rookie, while the rest of the weapons are guys named Phillip Dorsett, Benjamin Watson and Demaryius Thomas, who is both old and coming off a torn ACL.
