The Patriots will travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals on Sunday, kicking off their 2024 season against one of the best teams in the AFC, a recent conference champion with Super Bowl aspirations.
It was a spring of major change in New England. For the first time since 2000, the team will have a new head coach on the sidelines. While many of the key personnel pieces from 2023 remain, it's hard to project just how it will all come together.
A veteran defense that largely returns intact should make life difficult for any opposing offenses they face, but they are not without questions following the trade of Matthew Judon to Atlanta and the loss of Christian Barmore after a summer diagnosis of blood clots.
Offensively, new starter Jacoby Brissett will lead the way behind an offensive line that spent most of the summer searching for consistency. Injuries have not helped that process as the O-line is among the team's biggest question marks. However, a refreshed group of weapons offer newfound potential as the team will lean on their veteran running backs and tight ends while they see what their young receiving core has to offer.
Change even came on special teams, as veteran Joey Slye beat out second-year kicker Chad Ryland in training camp. The season's first game is always packed with unknowns, but it's even more extreme for the Patriots in 2024 as they look to re-establish themselves following a four-win season in 2023.
Here's what to watch for as the new-look Pats kick off a new campaign!
Jacoby Brissett: While most eyes were on Drake Maye this summer, Brissett seemed destined to open the season as the team's starter all along. A solid, if not brief appearance in the preseason finale showed why the team values Brissett's experience and trust him to avoid the kind of game-killing mistakes that were all too common last season.
Brissett has two career starts against the Bengals, including a 2022 win with the Brows against a Bengals defense that largely has the same pieces in place. That familiarity is valuable.
"I watched the game later in the year when we played them the second time – when Deshaun [Watson] was playing –and how they corrected a lot of those things, that kind of chess match," said Brissett this week. "Then even last year, kind of seeing some of the same things because a lot of the stuff kind of carries over year to year. They've obviously figured out a lot of the stuff that we're trying to do. So, dating back to the year I was there, I watched those two games and then last year's game a couple times just to kind of get in the mindset of how this offense/hybrid-offense attacks Lou and how Lou attacks this offense."
If Brissett can avoid the mistakes and effectively run Alex Van Pelt's offense the Pats could put up some points in this one.
"The No. 1 thing for me is, look, making the right decision," said head coach Jerod Mayo this week of what he's looking for from Brissett. "We talk about the correlation between the turnovers and wins and losses. I just want to see the offense put drives together. I want to see the quarterback go out there and make good throws, go through his reads and perform like we know he can."
Rhamondre Stevenson: All offseason Van Pelt said that running the ball would be a priority for his offense and a fully healthy Stevenson figures to be the biggest piece of that puzzle. The wide zone scheme will ask Stevenson to rely on vision and patience, and is a departure from the gap schemes he often ran in his early years in New England. Of course, it all starts up front with the offensive line opening up holes for him, but Stevenson has also shown a knack for making something out of nothing when he's had to.
As much as Brissett is an important piece at quarterback, the true engine of the offense is likely to be the ground attack. Van Pelt should target what was one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season and Stevenson, along with Antonio Gibson, should get a lot of carries and screen game catches.
"I think we've got a good group of guys in that room, guys that we've definitely got to get involved in this game plan," said Brissett. "I think the good thing is they all can do so many different things for us, whether it's catching, running, blocking. So, we're definitely going to lean heavily on them this week. Especially going on the road in a hostile environment, you kind of want to, I guess, set your pads and set the tone as far as what our team's going to be about. It starts with them."
Ja'Lynn Polk: Polk had about as solid a training camp as you could ask for. The second-roundpick was healthy for the entire summer and consistently had catches in most of the competitive team periods. Those performances weren't just limited to practices either, as Polk had standout moments in each of the preseason games, tallying seven total catches. With good size and surprising suddenness, Polk is the kind of receiver that every offense needs, one willing to do the dirty work with the ability to make tough catches. He should see plenty of action in his first NFL game and be one of the team's most consistent contributors if he can maintain his performances from the summer.
"Polks a hard worker," said Mayo. "In college, one of the things that jumped out on tape for me was his ability to block. I think he's a good blocking receiver. We're going to need that as we continue to talk about running the football. Everyone has to be out there blocking. It's not just the offensive line. Our receivers need to block, and I think Polk does a good job of that. Run after catch, he can do all of that, and he has great hands with a great route-running ability."
Tyquan Thornton: Thornton also had a solid summer at the receiver position. He possesses unique speed on the roster and that speed was on display in training camp, as the bulked-up Thornton showed improved route running and a better ability to make contested catches. The offense is designed to take downfield shots off play action and if Thornton can get behind the defense he could be a big-play machine this season. After two seasons of being derailed by injury, it looks like the 2022 second-round pick's time to shine has arrived.
The Offensive Line: Maybe this one should have been atop the list to emphasize its importance because it's the biggest concern on the team entering the season. Projected starters left tackle Vederian Lowe and left guard Sidy Sow suffered late preseason injuries that have their Week 1 statuses in doubt. Those injuries forced the team to once again juggle their lineup after going most of August with the same group. Penalties were also a factor for the group, with multiple illegal formation penalties haunting the team in the preseason finale.
Can they play a clean game while opening up some seams in the run game and giving Brissett adequate protection? The season win total likely depends on the answer and their first test of the year will be a major challenge featuring two of the most productive defensive ends in the game.
"I know that's the big question about us: what's the offensive line situation? I think that's the cool part about this league and this game," said Brissett. "Everybody can have all these questions, but you've still got to go line up and do it. I think those guys understand that. They understand that task. I feel very confident with this plan and how we're going to attack the defense, but also [how they're going to] help us protect the quarterback and the running back, and obviously, pushing the ball down the field and things like that. I feel very confident that those guys are locking in on the plan, ironing out the details and I'm excited for them to really make their impact on this team because it starts with them."
Pats Pass Rush: If the O-line is the biggest question for the offense, the pass rush is the defense's main concern. Without Judon last year they were able to get by, largely thanks to a disruptive breakout season from Christian Barmore. Now, without either stud rusher, the Pats will have to figure out how to get after the quarterback. It could largely depend on scheme, as DeMarcus Covington showed a penchant for sending multiple blitzers during the first two preseason contests. Stunts and simulated pressures along the defensive line will be key to getting their pass rushers home. Joshua Uche and Oshane Ximines should play key third-down roles while the team will look to Daniel Ekuale and Keion White to make up for Barmore's missing interior presence.
Joe Burrow: Burrow completed 40-of-52 passes for 375 yards against the Patriots in 2022, leading his team to a 22-0 lead before three turnovers opened the door for a near comeback by New England. The Pats strategy of playing a ton of zone and two deep safeties while only rushing four players couldn't get the Bengals off the field in the first half. How will Covington approach Burrow this time around? The now-healthy QB has a history of slow starts and might be without two of his top receivers from recent seasons, but he remains one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL.
"[Burrow]'s a veteran quarterback at this point, he's able to recognize defenses really quickly, make the right throws, not always the tough throws. He'll make the right throw, whether it's a check down away from pressure. He always makes the right throw. So it'll be a tough challenge," said cornerback Jonathan Jones.
Ja'Marr Chase: Chase is one of a handful of Bengals that had contract issues this offseason. He remains the one uncertain piece as Week 1 arrives, suiting up for his very first practice of the summer on Wednesday. There seems to be a rising chance that Chase will play. Even without training camp, he's an uber dangerous receiver who can be moved all around the formation. Second-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez is a good counterpiece to have if Chase plays. His status will have a major impact on the game's outlook.
"I've told our guys, we're going to prepare like he's playing. I think you have to prepare that way," said Mayo. "This guy is a great competitor. You see him going up, battling with corners and safeties. He's a great competitor. That's the one non-physical thing I would say about him that makes him a special player."
Sam Hubbard & Trey Hendrickson: The talented defensive end duo have been the key pieces for Lou Anarumo's defense, combining for 23.5 sacks in 2023 (17.5 by Hendrickson alone). That's scary news for a Patriots offensive line that is unsure of what they'll get out of either of their tackles. The Bengals defense isn't exotic, they beat you by playing fast, sending random blitzers and winning one-on-one matchups. If the Patriots offense is to move the ball and score points, making sure Hubbard and especially Hendrickson don't blow up their game plan is a key first step.
"All those guys up front [Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard] do a good job," said Mayo. "Like I said earlier, they're aggressive. They bring players from all over. You can sit there and say 'it's always these four guys coming,' but that's not always the case. Trey [Hendrickson] has everything you want in a defensive end. He has a great motor and great technique. Over the last few years, he's put up big numbers. He's definitely a target for us [to watch out for]."
Logan Wilson & Germaine Pratt: Similarly, Wilson and Pratt are two every-down off-the-ball linebackers who make a lot of plays. As Van Pelt looks to ignite his team's rushing attack, the duo of Bengals 'backers figure to be a major thorn in their side. Both have the speed necessary to get to the sideline and have seen plenty of the new Patriot scheme from the two games a year against the Browns, among other teams. These four defenders on the edge and off-the-ball are the ones who make the Cinci defense go and the Patriots have to make sure they have blockers to deal with all of them.
"Those guys, they send -- whether it's the star, the nickel, the corner coming off the edge, the linebacker -- they send people from everywhere, and they're very fundamentally sound," said Mayo. "We also have to be sound in our approach offensively. Like I said earlier, you can settle games down by running the football, and control the game that way. I think that has to be one of the things that we get done."
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