2013 NFL Predictions: New England Patriots Projected Wins plus AFC and Super Bowl Odds

2013 NFL Predictions: New England Patriots Projected Wins plus AFC and Super Bowl Odds: It was another strong year for the New England Patriots in 2012. They steamrolled to an AFC East title, and their 12-4 record was the second best in the conference. Quarterback Tom Brady has another stellar year, firing 34 touchdowns compared to just eight interceptions, and the Patriots finished the year with the top offense in terms of points and yards per game. The offense was also one of the more balanced attacks in the league as New England ranked fourth in passing and eighth in rushing. In an ironic twist, it was the offense that eventually failed the Patriots. New England reached the AFC title game for the second year in a row, but after beating the Baltimore Ravens to reach the Super Bowl in 2011, the Patriots managed just 13 points in an ugly home loss that ended their season. While a trip to the AFC title game would be a successful year for most teams, expectations are different in New England, and heading into the 2013 NFL season, it will be Super Bowl or bust once again for the Patriots.

The Good News:

Bill Belichick is still roaming the sidelines, Tom Brady is under center, and the combination has never produced a losing season. Belichick is still one of the best strategists in the game, and Brady always managed to make sure the Patriots have one of the top passing attacks and highest-scoring offenses regardless of his supporting cast. Meanwhile, the emergence of running back Stevan Ridley gives the New England offense the most balance it has had in years. Perhaps more importantly, the defense looks as stout as it has since the early years of Belichick’s tenure. Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and linebacker Jerod Mayo are the stars of a front seven that should be bolstered by the arrival of Tommy Kelly and the continued development of Chandler Wilson. In the secondary, the signing of safety Adrian Wilson gives a veteran presence to help out two young, talented corners.

The Bad News:

Receivers Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd are gone from last year’s league-leading offense. Tight end Aaron Hernandez is also gone, and fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski will miss at least a couple of games early in the year as he recovers from offseason surgery. Needless to say Brady is going to have to break in some new targets. On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots have to do a better job of limiting big plays. Corners Aqib Talib and Alfonzo Dennard will play a big role in whether or not that happens, and while talented, both have had off-field issues. If either player were to get suspended for whatever reason, New England’s lack of depth in the secondary could come back to haunt them.

 Outlook:

The schedule is rough, but as the perennial champs of the AFC East, a tough schedule is par for the course. The bigger concern is the major turnover in the receiving corps. However, Brady has handled turnover in the past, and he has a knack for making stars out just about anyone that can catch the ball. Meanwhile, this year’s team is also armed with the best ground attack and most talented defensive unit that the Patriots have had in years so any minor loss of production from the passing game should be more than offset. Throw in the fact that the Miami Dolphins are the only other team in the division that has a prayer of making a run at the postseason, and Brady and company should have no trouble staying on top in the AFC East and making another deep playoff run.

Prediction: 11-5, AFC East Division Champions

New England Patriots Odds to Win AFC East: -400
New England Patriots Odds to Win AFC: +300
New England Patriots Odds to Win Super Bowl: +800

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