3 Fatal Flaws That Could End Patriots' Playoff Run

A common mantra around the NFL is to never count the New England Patriots out, no matter what. If Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are patrolling the field, the Patriots will find a way to beat you. However, the Pats have appeared to become increasingly mortal, and their performances have been plagued with flaws, which have mostly been covered up thanks to the fact that they get to play against the Dolphins and Jets twice a year. Regardless, here are three fatal flaws that could end the Patriots' hopes of returning to their fourth Super Bowl in five years.

3. Weak Offensive Line

The Patriots' offensive line needs to do a better job protecting Tom Brady / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

To be fair, the Patriots have lost some key members of their offensive line to injuries, including Isaiah Wynn and David Andrews to the injured reserve list. Understandably, the team has seen a decrease in their run and pass blocking efficiency, and unless they can pull things together and give Brady even a half-second longer to make a play, it's going to be difficult to win games.

2. Lack of Reliable Tight End

Ben Watson has done a decent job for the Patriots, but he's no Rob Gronkowski / Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

The Patriots were blessed with nine years of Rob Gronkowski's greatness, and his absence has obviously been felt. However, the extent to which New England would miss his presence was somehow understated. The Patriots have been weak at the tight end position all season, with 38-year-old Benjamin Watson serving as their lead tight end. Brady's failed to find a reliable end zone target all year long, something he always relied on his tight ends to serve as.

1. Tom Brady

Tom Brady hasn't been himself this season / Bobby Ellis/Getty Images

Let's acknowledge the job that Tom Brady has done with the offense seemingly collapsing around him. He's still thrown for 3,437 yards and 19 touchdowns, but those numbers are far from what the NFL is accustomed to seeing from Brady, who also has an 86.5 passer rating, the lowest it's been since 2013. He's not getting any younger, and his receiving corps are decimated. In the playoffs, that could come back to legitimately haunt Brady, and we might not be seeing New England playing football come February.