The Patriots gave up 17 points and 259 total yards in the Week 1 loss to the Dolphins.

Analysis: The Patriots got beat by QB Tua Tagovailoa at home for the second time in two years, but they'll have a solid chance to bounce back against the Jets in Week 2. Head coach Bill Belichick always makes it hard on rookie quarterbacks, and QB Zach Wilson won't have LT Mekhi Becton covering his blindside. The Patriots D/ST has No. 1 upside in Week 2.

CB Stephon Gilmore (quadriceps) was placed on the PUP list and will miss the first six games of the season.

Analysis: The Patriots will enter the 2021 season without their top defensive player. CB Jalen Mills -- who signed a four-year deal with the team in March -- is expected to start in Gilmore's place, but it's a material downgrade. Luckily, Dolphins WR Will Fuller will be suspended for Week 1, so rookie first-round pick Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker will likely start at wideout. That could still be an issue, but the Patriots can often scheme their way out of trouble. There may be less upside until…read more

CB Stephon Gilmore (quadriceps) is considered "day-to-day" and could be activated from the PUP list soon.

Analysis: Gilmore continues to recover from a torn quadriceps, but there's optimism that he'll be ready for Week 1. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year is irreplaceable in the Patriots' secondary, though CB J.C. Jackson showed promise last year. With additions of LBs Matthew Judon, Kyle Van Noy and DE Henry Anderson, the pass rush should force opposing quarterbacks into even more mistakes this year, so as long as Gilmore is in the fold, this unit should be startable on a weekly basis.

CB Stephon Gilmore (quadriceps) was placed on the preseason PUP list.

Analysis: There isn't expected to be a major issue for Gilmore, but it's worth noting that he and the Patriots are still in contract negotiations as well. Should Gilmore be ready for Week 1, this is once again a top-end fantasy defense. Gilmore and J.C. Jackson have both showcased elite upside over the last couple of years, so the Patriots should have a good chance to lead the league in interceptions for a consecutive season after notching 18 in 2020.

The Patriots led the league with 18 interceptions in 2020.

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The Patriots allowed 474 total yards and didn't force a turnover in the 38-9 loss to the Bills in Week 16.

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The Patriots let up 383 total yards and forced a turnover in the 22-12 loss to the Dolphins in Week 15.

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The Patriots allowed 318 total yards and forced a turnover in the 24-3 loss to the Rams in Week 14.

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The Patriots allowed 258 total yards and forced two turnovers in the 45-0 win over the Chargers.

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The Patriots let up 298 total yards and forced a turnover in the 20-17 win over the Cardinals in Week 12.

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The Cardinals gave up 399 total yards and didn't force a turnover in the 27-20 loss to the Texans in Week 11.

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The Patriots allowed 357 total yards and forced a turnover in the 23-17 win over the Ravens.

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The Patriots allowed 322 total yards and forced a turnover in the 30-27 win over the Jets in Week 9.

Analysis: The Patriots' defense has now forced a turnover in all eight games, but they rank tied for 26th with just 11 sacks in that stretch. Meanwhile, the Ravens have turned the ball over 10 times in eight games, while QB Lamar Jackson has been sacked on 9.0 percent of dropbacks, tied with Sam Darnold for second in the league. Even the Patriots may be able to capitalize on that, and they should be good for a turnover or two. That provides upside to fantasy gamers that are riding their 2019 coattails,…read more

The Patriots allowed 339 total yards and forced a turnover in the 24-21 loss to the Bills in Week 8.

Analysis: The Patriots' defense isn't what it was last year. But Stephon Gilmore is still on board, and the Week 9 matchup against the Jets is quite appealing. The Jets have scored more than 10 points in a game just once since Week 3, turning the ball over seven times in that stretch. They actually don't turn the ball over too much, but Sam Darnold has been sacked on 9.0 percent of dropbacks (third in the league). The Patriots don't have much of a pass rush anymore, but there's a high floor here…read more

The Patriots allowed 467 total yards and forced two turnovers in the 33-6 loss to the 49ers in Week 7.

Analysis: This is the second time this year that the Patriots have allowed 33 or more points, and against an uninspiring offense like the 49ers, Patriots D/ST could be available in more fantasy leagues than expected. While the Patriots' sack total (nine) is in the gutter, the team leads the league with 12 turnovers despite already enduring its bye week. That's an appealing upside, especially with a matchup against the Bills on tap. The Bills rank ninth in the league with 10 turnovers, making the Patriots…read more

The Patriots allowed 299 total yards and forced two turnovers in an 18-12 loss to the Broncos in Week 6.

Analysis: It was a forgettable game for the Patriots altogether, but the defensive performance was solid, although it allowed RB Phillip Lindsay to rush for 101 yards. The 49ers in Week 7 will be another intriguing matchup, as QB Jimmy Garoppolo has been up and down lately, tossing three touchdowns and two interceptions over the past two contests. The Niners will be without RB Raheem Mostert (knee) as well, and while Jerick McKinnon is a fine replacement, it's a detriment to the best part of the team's…read more

The Patriots allowed 323 total yards and forced a turnover in a 26-10 loss to the Chiefs in Week 5.

Analysis: It was quite an impressive showing, as the Pats held Patrick Mahomes to 236 yards and just two passing touchdowns. With an impromptu Week 5 bye under their belt, the Patriots will set their sights on the Broncos. RB Melvin Gordon is trending toward not playing after a DUI arrest, but QB Drew Lock (shoulder) is expected to be back in the lineup. Lock was serviceable before his injury, but he could struggle if TE Noah Fant (ankle) -- his favorite target through 1.5 games -- can't go. That would…read more

The Patriots allowed 323 total yards and forced a turnover in a 26-10 loss to the Chiefs in Week 4.

Analysis: The Patriots were quite impressive, holding the defending champs without a touchdown for the during the first half. It was a losing battle from the start, but a Week 5 meeting with the Broncos is quite intriguing. QB Brett Rypien tossed three interceptions against the Jets last week, including a pick-six. Although he and the Broncos also dropped 37 points, the Patriots should do a better job keeping them off the scoreboard than the Jets. Expect the team to throw some curveballs at Rypien and…read more

The Patriots allowed 375 total yards and forced three turnovers in Week 3's 36-20 win over the Raiders.

Analysis: Last year's must-own fantasy defense is up to its old tricks with seven total turnovers and five sacks so far this year, but a Golden Rule is to avoid the Chiefs offense at all costs. The Chiefs effortlessly put up 34 points against a strong Ravens defense in Week 3. They've turned the ball over just once through three games, and QB Patrick Mahomes has been sacked just twice. Don't get fancy, leave the Patriots D/ST off your roster this week.

The Patriots allowed 429 total yards and forced a turnover in Week 2's 35-30 loss to the Seahawks.

Analysis: The Raiders marched down the field with authority in Week 2 against the Saints, and QB Derek Carr threw for 284 yards and three scores. Carr has an assortment of weapons at his disposal, especially with RB Josh Jacobs turning into a better pass-catcher, and TE Darren Waller looks like a top-5 player at the position. Still, the team's offensive line is banged up with G Richie Incognito (Achilles) on IR, so Jacobs could struggle to get going again in Week 3. Carr has been safe with the ball thus…read more

The Patriots allowed 269 total yards and forced three turnovers in Week 1's 21-11 win over the Dolphins.

Analysis: The Patriots drew a favorable opponent to begin the season, but they'll be tested in Week 2 when they travel to Seattle. One of the biggest stories of Week 1 was how coach Pete Carroll let QB Russell Wilson control the game through the air, and Wilson threw for 299 yards and four touchdowns. Wilson was sacked three times, while the Patriots recorded just one sack against QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in the opener. The WR tandem of Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf is one of the best in the league as well,…read more

The Patriots will play the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon to begin the 2020 season.

Analysis: It's a bit of a revenge game for the Patriots, as the Dolphins beat them in Week 17 last year, taking away their bye week. The Patriots are bound to regress from last year's record-breaking production on defense, especially with the losses of leading tacklers Jamie Collins (81) and Dont'a Hightower). Since Collins led the team in sacks (seven) and Kyle Van Noy (6.5) -- who left for Miami -- finished second, the pass rush takes a hit as well. Luckily, the Patriots have some time to regroup, as…read more

The Patriots led the league with 14.1 points allowed per game in 2019.

Analysis: The Patriots D/ST rivaled QB Lamar Jackson as the best late-round steal for most of the year, but its production tapered off after the Week 10 bye. It reached the mountaintop and is bound for some regression, but the main question is, how much? They'll be down their top-two tacklers, as Jamie Collins (81) left for Detroit and Dont'a Hightower (71) opted out. Collins led the team with seven sacks as well, trailed closely by Kyle Van Noy (6.5), who departed for Miami. The pass rush will take a…read more

The Patriots held the Bills to 17 points and 268 total yards in Week 16's win.

Analysis: The Patriots have clinched the AFC East yet again, but they're still battling for a bye week and can clinch with a win. They were able to shut out the Dolphins on the road in Week 2 and force four turnovers in the process, but the Dolphins have managed to produce 20 points in six straight games. They're no longer slouches, but they've coughed up a turnover in seven straight games, while Ryan Fitzpatrick has been sacked on 7.6 percent of dropbacks -- the ninth-most in the league. Be confident…read more

The Patriots allowed 13 points and forced five turnovers in Week 15's win over the Bengals.

Analysis: Stephon Gilmore also returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown, leading to another explosive week for the Patriots D/ST. They'll now face the low-scoring Bills, who have averaged 20.8 PPG (22nd). The Patriots held the Bills to 16 points on the road earlier this year, and now they'll benefit from playing in Foxborough. There's plenty of upside when going against the Bills, as Josh Allen is sacked on 7.3 percent of dropbacks (11th-most). They've only coughed up the ball 16 times, but…read more

The Patriots allowed 23 points and 346 total yards to the Chiefs in Week 14's loss.

Analysis: They also forced two turnovers to salvage a respectable fantasy day against one of the league's most explosive offenses. This unit will get a much more favorable matchup against the Bengals, who have surpassed 20 points on two occasions. However, the Bengals have eased up on the turnovers since Andy Dalton resumed as a starter, and Dalton has only been sacked three times over two games. Still, the upside here is massive, and the Patriots need a win almost as badly as your fantasy team does.…read more

The Patriots allowed 28 points and 276 total yards in Week 13's loss to the Texans.

Analysis: The Patriots' defense has been predictably excellent against inferior competition, but its two worst outings were against the Ravens and Texans, as it let up 37 points to the former. The Chiefs are among those two's caliber, as they rank fourth with 387.3 YPG and third with 29.0 PPG. It remains to be seen whether Stephon Gilmore will be able to shut down Tyreek Hill, but they likely won't have to worry about Darrel Williams (hamstring) while Damien Williams' (head) status is uncertain, too.…read more

CB Jason McCourty's (groin) status is uncertain for Week 13's matchup against the Texans.

Analysis: If McCourty's unable to play, the Patriots' secondary could struggle against Will Fuller and Kenny Stills while Stephon Gilmore handles DeAndre Hopkins. McCourty's injury is worth monitoring as the week progresses, but the upside here should keep Patriots D/ST as a fantasy-viable unit. The Pats lead the league with 29 turnovers, and they've allowed just 256.4 total YPG (second) this season. The Texans' offense is quite productive with 381.6 total YPG (seventh), but it comes at the cost of…read more

The Patriots allowed 10 points and 255 total yards to the Eagles in Week 11's win.

Analysis: The Patriots were gifted an injury-riddled Eagles team, but there's nothing to make us believe it wouldn't have been a similar result even with Philly at full force. The Pats' defense leads the league with just 5.3 YPA allowed, and their 97.3 rushing YPG ranks 10th. It also ranks third with 37 sacks and first with 28 forced turnovers. However, a lot of their production came against lesser offenses than the Cowboys. QB Dak Prescott leads the league with 8.8 YPA, and he has two dynamic…read more