Heading into week 16, the Patriots still sit atop the AFC East with a record of 9-5.
However, they’ve dropped back to back games and have an abysmal 3-5 road record.
These next two weeks will define the Patriots season. Can they rise above all the negativity and start performing like the team we’ve been accustomed to for the last 15 years, or will their dynasty reach its final breaking point?
Luckily, they face the Bills and Jets, two teams they’ve already beaten this season and should beat again. But people also picked them to beat the Dolphins and Steelers.
Each past Patriots team had an identity, whether it was last year’s successful passing game led by Tom Brady, or the high scoring defense two years ago. In the early 2000s, it was the defense, led by Patriot legends such as Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, and Ty Law. And in ’07 and ’11, it was the historic offenses powered by Brady
But this year, we haven’t been privy to the usual Patriots team. We haven’t seen the powerful Patriots offense that steamrolls teams in the second half, nor have we seen the normal Belichick defense that wears teams down and finds ways to win.
It doesn’t matter what change the Patriots make, but something needs to be done. If they don’t find an identity, then their season and dynasty could possibly crumble with it.
