32 Teams in 32 Days, Team #1: The New England Patriots

18-1. It’s a great record. To have won 18 games and to have only lost once in today’s NFL is quite an accomplishment. Its just a shame that the 1 happened at the only game that matters, the Superbowl. The New England Patriots are coming back looking for vengeance, looking for meaning, looking to get back to that place where they could have mattered. Spygate is behind them now, but is the sting from the Superbowl loss behind them too? The Patriots will come into this season ready to answer all the questions they need to answer.

So what’s changed?  Well, superstar Cornerback Asante Samuel is no longer a member of the New England Patriots. The Pats have had changes to their defense at multiple positions. With their number one draft pick the Patriots selected Jerod Mayo, showing that they are looking to get past their old linebackers and bring in some fresh blood. Everyone is a year older, a little bit slower, a little bit weaker, but also a little bit wiser. The Patriots defense has always been good, but this year they will need to step their games up to a new level because even though the Giants won the Superbowl, everyone in the league will be gunning for the Patriots.

As for their offense, it is still a high powered one. Lead by the arm of the most cerebral quarterback in the game, Tom Brady, the Patriots will again look to dominate through the air. Returning to the team is Wideout Randy Moss. Moss had arguably the best season of his career last year, catching a record 23 touchdowns out of Tom Brady’s record 50. Also returning to the offense is slot receiver Wes Welker. I love me some Wes Welker. He’s got all the talent to bring the Patriots back to the big game. Welker had a breakout season last year and will continue to be the go to guy for Tom Brady. With weapons like these, how can Brady and the Patriots not make it back to the Superbowl?

In the backfield, Laurence Maroney will be leading the charge, but expect Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris to cut into some of those carries. Faulk, is the 3rd down specialist for the team and Morris, when he was healthy was taking over for Maroney in the red-zone. Maroney did not see the ball much last season with Faulk and Morris cutting into his time and the offense being a mostly passing one, but when he was called upon to make something happen, he did not disappoint. The Patriots have an exciting offense and when you watch them you will have fun, there’s no doubt about that.

As great as the Patriots team is, the possibility of them having another 16-0 regular season is almost impossible. I for one don’t see it happening. Looking at their schedule, I see them losing 2 or even 3 games in there. The real question isn’t if they can go undefeated. The real question is, can they make the playoffs and get back to the Superbowl to win it all? The answer to that is a resounding yes! The Patriots will make the playoffs without much trouble at all. Playing in the AFC East gives them that luxury. It is not a good division at all and the Patriots will without a doubt win it. Tom Brady is lights out in the playoffs so I don’t see the Patriots not making the Superbowl. I truly believe that they will make it to the Superbowl this year and they will win it. Perfect seasons aside, the Patriots are a great team that won’t give up. They got beat in the Superbowl, but that will not keep them down for long. The Patriots are going to comeback stronger and with more to prove. Its going to be a long season for the teams that are forced to play the motivated Pats this year. What a fun season its going to be indeed.