New England Patriots

The New England Patriots won the AFC East for the 11th straight season in 2019 but failed to secure a first-round post-season bye for the first time since 2010.

Offense:

The Patriots offense was a shadow of the unit we have come to expect in recent years, as they finished 15th in total yards. The Patriots managed the 8th most passing yards, but Tom Brady managed only 4,057 yards through the air. These were the fewest he had managed in a full 16 game since 2010, when he managed 3,900. The Patriots amassed the 18th most rushing yards, but their 1,703 yards came at a pedestrian 3.8 yards per attempt average. This was the 8th lowest average among all teams. Only 36.1% of the Patriots drives ended with a score, good for No.15 in the league. But they were able to keep Brady upright, for the most part, boasting the 5th best sack rate in the league of 4.3%.

Defense:

The Patriots defense was one of the elite units in the entire NFL in 2019, finishing first in yards and points allowed. Their pass defense was downright suffocating as they allowed the second-fewest passing yards. They were only marginally more generous on the ground as they allowed fewer rushing yards than all but five teams. The Patriots 47 sacks were the 8th most. The Patriots used the blitz frequently and blitzed on 37.1% of their defensive plays. This was the sixth-highest rate last season. A whopping 17.1% of opposition drives ended with a Patriots takeaway, a rate exceeded by only the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. Their defense finished the season with 36 turnovers, second in the league.

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