After an all around positive 2013 season that ended in disappointment when the team lost to the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship, the Patriots are one of few AFC teams who have legitimate Super Bowl hopes for 2014. The biggest road block seems like it will be the Broncos once more, but only time can tell. The Patriots will have a slightly revamped offense and a very, and I mean very, improved defense. Tom Brady made something out of nothing on offense for the Pats last year, so the opinion of some that he is slowing down is irrelevant to me. One of the biggest reasons why the team could not beat the Broncos twice last season was due to injuries to big name players, next season will be different.
On offense, there is a lot of question marks as of right now. Is Rob Gronkowski, the league's best tight end, going to be available come the first game? Are Stevan Ridley's fumble problems corrected? Can you expect Danny Amendola to stay healthy and produce consistenly? Will the offensive line be better than last year and stay healthy? Can the second year wide receivers make legitimate contributions in the passing game? All these questions are a mystery right now and we'll have a much better idea of what is happening come training camp. For now however, I'll make my predictions. I do not know when Gronkowski will be ready to play, but if he misses say, the first three games... big deal. The Dolphins, Vikings, and Raiders have subpar defenses and we'd all rather see a durable Gronk at full health instead of a more fragile 75% Gronk. I'm expecting a huge season from Gronkowski after he gets back to full health, he'll really be able to help Tom Brady in the pass game, and he's an outstanding blocker. As of right now, Stevan Ridley looks like he will be the starting running back, and it looks like he is better than ever. He has been working hard to correct the problems he had last year that had him sitting on the bench, fumbles. He said when asked about what he needs to do, "I just have to hold it high and tight." Ridley has shown great agility, elusiveness, and trucking ability when on the field and he is the best option for the Patriots right now. This year, with Gronkowski on the field, I do not expect Julian Edelman to reach the 1,000 yard mark receiving like he did last year. However, he will still put up big numbers and be the Pats best receiver yet again. From Amendola, I do not think he can stay healthy. Don't get me wrong, he played very well in his career when healthy, but he has never played a full season. If he can stay healthy all year, he has the ability to produce just like Edelman but unfortunately, I do not see him staying healthy and I think this might be his last season in New England. Recently, it was said that Aaron Dobson does not look much improved from last season, but I see his potential. He will be a reliable third or fourth option this season. The offensive line was almost literally decimated by injuries and some linemen are still not back to full health. If, by the time the season starts, the linemen are healthy, the team will have, in my opinion, one of the best offensive lines in football. Offensively, a lot is uncertain, but with Tom Brady at quarterback, a top 5-10 offense is almost a lock.
On defense, the patriots were a middle of the pack unit. They didn't do anything special but also had huge injuries, particularly to the front 7. Two of their best defensive players, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo were lost early on in the season to major injuries. Wilfork tore his Achilles tendon and still isn't back to full strength, and Mayo tore his pectoral muscle, but seems to be fine now. With the run stopping Wilfork back and the tackling machine, Jerod Mayo back, the front 7 of the defense should be solid. Chandler Jones is an improving third year defensive end, and Rob Ninkovich is talented as well. veterans Jerod Mayo, James Anderson will hold down the inside linebacker position and second year linebacker Jamie Collins will man the outside linebacker position with third year man Dont'a Hightower. In the off-season, the Patriots lost their best cornerback of 2013, Aqib Talib, to the Denver Broncos. They managed to pick up one of the league's best, Darrelle Revis, to replace him. He is the shutdown corner the Pats needed desperately, and they also signed former Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner. These two additions will help out Alfonzo Dennard and second year cornerback Logan Ryan who is trying to prove himself. He has the talent. And Bill Belichick believes in him. Safety is just about the only question mark, but due to Browner's physical play, he might be able to play alongside Devin McCourty rather than his normal cornerback position. This season has a very positive outlook. I predict a 12-4 record accompanied by a trip to the super bowl for the New England Patriots.
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