New England Patriots Preview

The New England Patriots are the perennial favorites in the AFC East even when they don't have the best teams. All their success and dominance in the the last decade put them and their coach on a pedal stool. They won 10 and lost 6 games last year but lost in a Wild Card match up against the Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots are hoping to improve this year, but that will be hard since they didn't really improve on either side of the ball.

The Patriots Offense

Never mind Tom Brady's contract extension negotiations. That will be completed at some point. But lets focus on his receivers. The biggest question mark is Wes Welker. Welker caught 10 passes in 7 games last season. That was 4 more than any other receiver. The amazing thing is that Welker only played in 14 games because he tore his knee up late in the season against the Texans. Welker is practicing and is off the PUP list. However, it is hard to believe he will be 100% for the beginning of the season after sustaining such an injury so late in the season. If Welker is placed back on the PUP list he will have to sit out the first six games of the season. Without Welker, the offense will not be the same, especially if the defense doesn't take a step.

The Patriot's Defense Preview

The Patriots removed all the pictures of the championship teams during the off season. This was done to not remind the young defense who they replaced. The young defense had a tough time replicating the success of the past players. The Patriots seems focused on allowing this defense to create their own identity and didn't add any real talent during the off season. Defenses mature after multiple seasons, not only one.