Going into the 2016-2017 season, there are many things that will be carried over from last year’s AFC East Championship regular season and post-season run that lead to the AFC Championship. But not everything will be the same. After a 10 game win streak to open up the season, injuries struck the team constantly. With players like Dion Lewis being taken out for the rest of the season and star receivers Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowksi missing games, the Patriots finished the last 6 games of the season with two wins and four losses. But that was last season, and it’s time to look towards the future. With preseason about to start, here are the five biggest things to look forward to in the upcoming season.

1. The Two-Headed Ground Game Attack is Back

After Dion Lewis's torn ACL in week 9, the Patriots running attack was never the same. No one on the roster was able to replace that combination of speed running and receiving ability in the running back position. To add even more injury to, well, more injury, LeGarrette Blount would be added to injured reserve only a few weeks later, leaving the team with Brandon Bolden, James White, and the newly signed Steven Jackson as there backfield rotation. Jackson hadn't played in over a year and did not play very well in the few games he was in. The run game suffered immensely, forcing the passing game to be the main attraction, even though it had also been hurt in productiveness on injuries (more on that later). With both Lewis and Blount back (with the latter hopefully being resigned), the Patriots will be able to run a more balanced offense next season.

2. The Offense Line won’t be constantly changing

Awful line play of the Patriots lead to Tom Brady taking hit after hit in the playoffs. These injuries included Nate Solder being put on injured reserve early in the season, leaving a big hole to early on. Other injures included starting center Ryan Stork missing half the season due to concussion symptoms, while Ryan Wendell was out almost the entire season. The starting offensive line lineup was changed 13 times throughout the season. 13 times! Offensive lineman coach Dave DeGuglielmo was fired after the AFC championship game, where Brady was hit over 20 times. Former offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia came out of retirement to rejoin the team during the offseason. With healthy players, new former first round pick Jonathon Cooper (if he can stay healthy), and a new coach, we could get back to the stellar line play that helped propel them to a Super Bowl championship only 2 seasons ago.

And lastly…

3. Get Ready for the Ball to Fly

Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and Danny Amendola will all be back next year. Gronkowski is in the middle of a contract extension, while Amendola recently took a pay cut to stay with the same. All three are healthy and ready to go. Keshawn Martin will have the chance to step up and compete for that 4^th starting spot at wide out. He is joined by free agent signees Chris Hogan, Nate Washington, and tight end Martellus Bennet, giving the Patriots the best receiving corps that they have had in many years. Aaron Dobson still has a shot to show that despite being injury prone, he can still make plays.

While only time will tell how the team will do this year, especially with a different starting quarterback for the first four games, it is safe to say this season will be exciting to watch.

Kickoff for the Patriots first pre-season game of the season against the New Orleans Saints is at 7:30 PM eastern standard time, this Thursday, live from Gillette Stadium. Available locally on CBS affiliate stations.