Here Are the 16-Game Pace Stats for the Patriots' Top Offensive Performers
The bye week provides an opportunity for any and all to take a step back and review where a particular team stands. For quite some time, the New England Patriots have been known to win through team efforts, and not so much through personal dominance. Tom Brady's high passing yard totals are always there, but touchdowns are usually spread out between the pass catchers.
Through nine games, the run game has been a tough sight to grasp too. Some games it's firing on all cylinders, while other games it has been a struggle. As we are just over the half-way point of the regular season, let's project what New England's top performers will have for stat lines when the 16-game schedule concludes based on their performances through nine weeks of the regular season.
1) Tom Brady
- 4,550 passing yards
- 64.2 completion %
- 27 touchdowns
- 10 interceptions
- 28 sacks
It is incredible to think that Brady is still performing at a level this high at the age of 42. When it comes to his personal stats, the 2007 Brady that threw for 50 touchdowns and only eight interceptions is long gone; but that is perfectly fine. Brady has learned to win in new ways, which is a major reason why he can keep his career going. If the run game can get going and the defense continues to do their part, the projected stats above are more than enough for Brady to lead the Patriots back to the Super Bowl.
2) Sony Michel
- 275 attempts
- 910 yards
- 11 touchdowns
- 2 fumbles
Michel's stats through nine games are quite underwhelming, but how much of the blame can truly be put on him? The offensive line has been banged up and lackluster. The six touchdowns are a promising sight, as Bill Belichick has shown that Michel is the go-to guy in goal line situations. A home game versus the Kansas City Chiefs in a few weeks will be a great chance for Michel to pad some stats.
3) James White
- 58 attempts
- 204 rushing yards
- 2 rushing touchdowns
- 80 receptions
- 790 receiving yards
- 3 receiving touchdowns
- 0 fumbles
It is no secret that White makes his living catching the ball out of the backfield. The elusive back continues to give opposing defenses fits with quick receptions around the line of scrimmage. White is the perfect player for the aging Brady, and his role will become even more important down the stretch.
4) Julian Edelman
- 118 receptions
- 1,196 yards
- 9 touchdowns
- 3 fumbles
This is the first season in Edelman's career where he is "the guy." No Rob Gronkowski, a consistently changing receiving core and a plethora of young guys has forced Edelman to take more of the workload, and to this point, it has not been an issue. In the past few games especially, we have seen an uptick in Edelman's target share, receptions and touchdowns. These stats will only continue to rise, as Edelman's performance in the passing game is almost a direct indication of how the Patriots will do in any given game.If Edelman keeps up this pace, he is in line for a career year for receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
5) Mohamed Sanu
*Projected statistics with Patriots
- 48 receptions
- 480 yards
- 5 touchdowns
- 0 fumbles
Sanu was a much need addition for New England, and although they lost to the Ravens, his performance was a major bright spot. In that game, Sanu had 10 receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. If Sanu, along with Edelman can prove to be a consistent target for Brady, the Patriots' passing game could be a huge threat to opposing defenses as we approach the latter half of the season.
6) Ben Watson
- 28 receptions
- 252 yards
- 1 touchdown
- 0 fumbles
Watson has slowly been integrated into the offense since his return from a suspension to begin the season. For the Patriots offense to reach its highest potential, they will need some sort of production from the tight end position and Watson seems to be their guy moving forward. Just a few receptions a game to keep the defense guessing will be enough to open up the rest of the field.
Keep an eye out for the projected stats for the Patriots' defensive players, which will be published early this week.
