Coach Belichick got candid about the progression of his young receivers, and the issues they still have in their passing game.
Adam Gase and the New York Jets appear destined to become the third team in NFL history to finish with an 0-16 record. Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are 6-7 despite the offense struggling mightily for most of the campaign.
So it'd be foolish to say Gase has done a better coaching job than Belichick in 2020... right? Not necessarily, according to EdjSports.
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The data intelligence firm has Gase ahead of Belichick on its NFL head coach rankings through Week 14. Gase is ranked No. 22 overall and Belichick is three spots behind him at No. 25. EdjSports' coach rankings use a weighted average of the Edj Power Indexes (EPI) and Offensive Play Calling (CCI) rankings.
EPI is a cumulative ranking that factors in Offensive Pass, Offensive Rush, Defensive Pass and Defensive Rush. It is a reflection of how teams performed in every situation during the season.
CCI is based on an analysis of offensive play calling on 4th downs and compares teams in terms of "Game-Winning Chance" lost or gained.
New England Patriots
Belichick is ranked 15th in CCI and 27th in EPI. Gase is 7th in CCI and 32nd in EPI.
The seven coaches ranked below Belichick in EdjSports' Week 14 rankings are Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals), Bill O'Brien/Romeo Crennel (Houston Texans), Vic Fangio (Denver Broncos), Matt Rhule (Carolina Panthers), Matt Patricia/Darrell Bevell (Detroit Lions), Joe Judge (New York Giants), and Doug Marrone (Jacksonville Jaguars).
The top five coaches on the list are Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs), Frank Reich (Indianapolis Colts), Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers), John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens), and Doug McDermott (Buffalo Bills). For the full rankings, click here.
The analytics certainly aren't kind to Belichick, but there's something to be said for how he has led his team through a number of unfortunate events. With Tom Brady leaving, several key players opting out before the season, a COVID-19 setback earlier in the year, and Julian Edelman going down with a knee injury, some may even consider 2020 one of Belichick's most impressive coaching jobs to date.
Belichick and the Patriots will look to return to .500 on Sunday when they take on the Miami Dolphins.
