New England Patriots’ first four game break down
This upcoming 2016 NFL season has a lot of fans discussing the biggest threats to the New England Patriots while Tom Brady is on suspension. The first four games will be against the Arizona Cardinals, followed by Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and Buffalo Bills. So which teams pose the most viable threat?
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Out of the first four teams to face the New England Patriots, the Arizona Cardinals definitely rank right up there with the Patriots. Staring at a season opener on the road and Jimmy Garoppolo’s first real start is certainly an intimidating task. Garoppolo will have to find his groove fast enough to keep the game from falling apart. New England can only hope that having Garoppolo working with Tom Brady all year has paid off.
Arizona’s stat comparison to New England makes things a tad worrisome. Last season, Arizona’s record was 13-3 while New England’s was 12-4. The Cardinals take the lead in quite a few categories points scored (30.6- 29.1) and touchdowns scored (58-52). However the Pats have the Cardinals beat in red zone conversion percentage, allowed points per game, (.1), touchdowns allowed (2), sacks (14), sack yardage (10), and field goals (5). As the season opener kicks off, fans can only hope that Garoppolo’s got game.
Choosing the Pats second toughest opponent during Brady’s suspension is a toss-up between the Bills and Texans. Their stats are similar making their overall position more difficult to determine. The Texans fall behind the Bills in the following: Points scored per game (21.2-23.7), touchdowns scored (39-45), yards per game (363.1-377.0), points allowed per game (19.6-22.4), touchdowns allowed (37-42), yards allowed (329.6-341.6) and both teams tied for field goals (13-13). The Bills lag the Texans in red zone conversion (50% -57.8%), sacks (21-45), sack yards (125-311), interception yards (253-180), and fumbles (5-10).
Out of the four the Miami Dolphins pose the smallest threat to the New England Patriots. Their points scored per game average is 19.4 giving them the lowest total out of the five teams. The Dolphins also scored the lowest out of the five teams in the following categories: Average yards per game (357.9), red zone conversion (53.5%), touchdowns allowed (46), average yardage allowed per game (390.2), sack yards (225), and field goals (13). Looking at the stats, it would be easy to say that the Pats are going to be able to stomp Miami out of Gillette Stadium.
Broken down to last year’s stats there should be a clean sweep after the Cardinals. Watch closely to see if the Patriots have what it takes to make it happen on the gridiron.
All stats via: http://nfl-teams.pointafter.com
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