The gap isn’t only widening between the Patriots and AFC powerhouses like the Bills and Chiefs. Non-playoff teams keep surpassing the Patriots, too.
On paper, the AFC’s sixth seed just isn’t good enough.
The latest blow to the Patriots’ fortunes came Monday, when the Colts acquired Matt Ryan from the Falcons in exchange for a 2022 third-round pick. The modest price for the former MVP illustrates just how badly relations between the Falcons and Ryan severed in the wake of the team’s pursuit for Deshaun Watson. Atlanta will endure a staggering $40.525 million dead cap charge this season, the highest in NFL history.
Ryan will be the Colts’ fifth different starting quarterback in five years, but he’s the best since Andrew Luck, who abruptly retired prior to the 2019 season. Even at 37 years old, Ryan is still a prolific passer. He threw for at least 4,000 yards every season from 2011 until last year, when he threw for 3,968, barely missing the mark thanks to a woeful offensive line and dearth of skill players.
The Colts now have a Pro Bowl quarterback with whom they can pair alongside their star running back, Jonathan Taylor. They also added stud pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue. Remember: Indianapolis defeated the Patriots in a crucial late-December matchup, despite Carson Wentz only completing five passes for 57 yards.
It’s fair to surmise Ryan won’t deliver many of those statistical stinkers.
Speaking of bad quarterback play, the Patriots overwhelmed Baker Mayfield when they routed the Browns 45-7 last November. But now Cleveland has Watson, one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league. The Browns also added Amari Cooper.
Watson-Cooper-Nick Chubb is a pretty good three-headed monster, especially considering the Browns’ elite offensive line.
The Patriots blew through an array of bad quarterbacks and undermanned teams during their midseason seven-game winning streak: Zach Wilson, Sam Darnold, Mayfield, Ryan with no receivers, the Titans with no players. In addition, the Patriots faced off against the horrible Texans and Jaguars. They aren’t slated to receive the same gifts next season. The Patriots will face Watson, Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Derek Carr and Ryan in 2022.
Carr plays on a much-improved Raiders team, which snuck into the playoffs last year, and got a lot better with the additions of Davante Adams and Chandler Jones. Josh McDaniels and Dave Zeigler are being far more aggressive than their mentor would ever be.
Some of that is due to necessity, since the Broncos and Chargers are stocking up on talent. The Broncos’ acquisition of Russell Wilson immediately transformed them into a Super Bowl favorite. The Chargers, whom the Patriots defeated last season, added Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson to put their defense on par with their high-flying offense.
The Broncos, Chargers, Browns and Colts have all improved this month. Meanwhile, the Patriots have only added journeyman cornerback Terrance Mitchell, non-factor Ty Montgomery and underperforming linebacker Mack Wilson.
The NFL season doesn’t begin for nearly six months. But right now, the Patriots are moving further to the periphery of playoff contention. The Ryan trade is another strike against them.