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Why James White thinks 2024 Patriots could surprise people originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots are coming off their worst season since 1992, but one former player thinks the team could perform better than expected during the upcoming NFL season.
The Patriots finished 4-13 at the bottom of the AFC standings in 2023. The offense was atrocious, highlighted by poor quarterback play, an abundance of turnovers and a lack of high-end talent at the skill positions. New England’s 13.8 points scored per game tied for the lowest in the league.
Are better times ahead for the franchise?
“I think the Patriots will surprise some people,” ex-Patriots running back James White recently said on MassLive’s Eye on Foxborough podcast. “The defense has been very good over the last several years. So if the defense continues to play at the same level, or even at a higher level, they’re going to be in every single football game, if the offense, obviously, picks up the slack some.”
White added: “They don’t have to go out there and score 35 points a game or anything like that, but they consistently move the ball, control the line of scrimmage and score 25 points a game, this team could be right there in the mix. They’re going to surprise some people.”
The defense gave the Patriots a chance to win a bunch of games last season. This unit allowed 21 or fewer points in eight of 17 games, but the team won just two of those matchups.
When you consider the defense didn’t lose any major contributors over the offseason, plus the fact that cornerback Christian Gonzalez and pass rusher Matthew Judon are both returning from injury, it wouldn’t be shocking at all if this group was a top 10 or top 15 unit next season.
The real question is whether the Patriots offense can make meaningful strides.
Jacoby Brissett and/or Drake Maye should be upgrades over what the Patriots got from Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe at quarterback last season. The wide receiver depth chart…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-james-white-thinks-2024-194302363.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-05-23 19:56:01
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