Boston Bruins vs New England Patriots: Who Has A Better Season
This can be a tough call if you look at it too deep in favor of one team. On one hand you’ve got the New England Patriots, fresh off their fourth Super Bowl victory, and on the other, there’s the Boston Bruins, who missed the playoffs last year. At least the B’s aren’t immersed in a controversy like Deflategate…
Both teams gained and lost over the offseason, but which has the greater chance of success this season? The Patriots can’t do any better than what they accomplished in 2014, so it’s hard to say both teams will have a better season than last. New England lost two key members of their secondary while also buffing up their tight ends with the addition of Scott Chandler, and the Bruins updated their offense with Matt Beleskey and Jimmy Hayes. The B’s made serious changes to their front office by introducing Don Sweeney as general manager over the offseason, and there has been much debate over the GM’s decision making thus far.
The point is, Sweeney was hired on the basis that he would lead Boston in a new direction, and though it resulted in losing Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton, it also meant the Bruins were investing in youth and made new additions. The Bruins just need goal scoring and a playoff birth for a successful 2015-16 season; and given the fact the Bruins were one game short of a playoff spot, it should not be too difficult for the B’s to improve.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
Boston certainly still has their drawbacks. Sweeney and company still have not addressed the void left by Hamilton on their defense. The team is in search of a top-four defensemen. There’s options out there for Sweeney, most notably UFA Cody Franson. With a solid defender signed and current roster forwards stepping up offensively, the B’s would be paced for a few rounds in the playoffs.
The Patriots are much more ambiguous. Deflategate has taken a life of its own, and might take Tom Brady off the field for the first four games of the regular season. Much has been discussed over second-year backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo leading the Pats against the Steelers, Bills, Jaguars, and Cowboys. Lets not forget the loss of Darrelle Revis. Plus, the Patriots are prepared to send out Malcolm Butler as a starting cornerback. Talk about a soft secondary, one fans can recall from years past with this defense.
However, the Patriots have much more expectations. They have to, being reigning Super Bowl champions and all. Despite Brady’s looming fate on his punishment and the softness of their secondary, New England will still have a strong offense and a defensive line that should get to the quarterback with guys like defensive end Chandler Jones (6.0 sacks in 2014). The biggest question is – can their secondary hold their own? If it’s anything like two years ago, will this defense stop the run but give up the big yardage? The AFC East has gotten better this offseason, and two teams are getting in the playoffs – the Patriots and one other.
Both teams should make the playoffs next season. The only hint of doubt comes on the Bruins’ part, not the Pats. New England rules the AFC East. The Bruins have to prove to the fans and themselves that last season was simply a bad year.