2010 Record: 14-2
Offense:
Tom Brady is back, and that means the Patriots will once again have one of the top offenses in the league. Yet, if I was to pick the 2nd most important player on the offense it would be Wes Welker. Welker was good last year, but not great. He had a lot of drops, and if this offense is going to be the best in the NFL Welker if the key. He is Brady's security blanket, and as good as everyone else is on this offense, I believe Welker is Brady most important weapon. The Patriots have a lot of other weapons though, with 2 great TEs in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, good WR depth with Branch, Ochocinco, and Edelman. They even now have a crowded backfield with Green-Ellis, Woodhead, Faulk (?), Vereen, and Stevan Ridley. What does that all add up to? The Patriots can beat you anyway they have to. They can go 5 wide and rip you apart. They can grind you into the round rotation RBs, and using 2 TEs. If they lack anything on this offense it could be a deep threat, but when the Patriots were winning Super Bowls they never had one of those anyways.
Defense:
4-3, 3-4 will be over talked about all season. Bottom line is there is basically no change from last year. In 2010 they actually linedup in a 4-3 more then 3-4 anyways. Obviously the signing of Haynesworth was the big story. If he plays like he did with the Titans the Patriots might just have the 2 best DTs in the NFL. You add that to the additions of ex-Jet Shaun Ellis and Andre Carter that is a damn good defensive line. They have so many bodies up there that they can also rotate guys, much like they can with RBs on offense. Linebackers Rob Ninkovich, Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes and Gary Guyton are all decent. Mayo is obviously the jewel of the group, and if Haynesworth works out could be even better this year. I even like the Patriots CBs. Devin McCourty was sick last year, Leigh Bodden is back from injury this year and was probably the best CB on the Patriots in 2009. I do worry a little about their depth there. Kyle Arrington is decent, but Ras-I Dowling is just a rookie and the Patriots could be in trouble in a team goes 4-5 WRs on them. What also hurts is their current safety issues. James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather are gone. I am glad Meriweather is gone, but I was really surprised with Sanders. Chung is still here, and I like him a lot, but the other safety spot is going to be a rotation of young guys like Josh Barrett and Sergio Brown. That could be a problem.
Overall:
The offense will dominate again, and I think the defense will be better then last year. They do have some holes, but the Patriots are in for another big season. I know I am picking them for less wins then last year, but lets be honest 14-2 is just silly.
2011 Record: 13-3