2013 New England Preview | Predictions
Ever since Bill Belichick assumed the head coaching position with the Patriots in 2000 and turned this franchise into the Gold Standard in the NFL, he has probably not faced as tumultuous of an offseason as he did this past winter and spring.
2013 Patriots Futures
- Super Bowl Odds: 9/1
- AFC Conference Odds: 4/1
- AFC East Odds: -300
- NFL Regular Season Wins: Over 11 (+130) Under 11 (-160)
2013 Patriots Predictions:
- Place they’ll finish in AFC East: 1st
- Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 3rd
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First, the team lost wide receiver Wes Welker to Denver via free agency. Next, All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski’s availability for the start of this season came in question with the first of a few minor surgeries. The most tragic and possibly devastating development was Aaron Hernandez’s arrest on murder charges.
This all adds up to a major chunk of production from a passing game that has fueled this offense for the past decade under the guidance of future ‘Hall of Famer’ Tom Brady.
Everyone in the organization continues to insist that it will be business as usual in the team’s quest to win its first Super Bowl since 2004. New England has won at least 10 games the past 10 seasons and it has eclipsed its current win total projection of 11 victories seven times during that span.
However, the early money from the betting public has clearly been on the UNDER according to Bovada’s current money line on that prop.
Given the lack of any real competition in the AFC East and the fact that Brady is still under center, the Patriots should have little problem claiming another division title, but getting that all-important first-round bye and home field advantage for the playoffs could be a whole other story. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Offensively, they have to hope that Gronkowski can quickly return to the form that made him one of the most feared receivers over the middle and in the Red Zone when healthy. New England also needs wide receiver Danny Amendola to fill the huge void left by the loss of Welker, who has been Brady’s favorite target for the past six seasons.
The running game is vastly improved behind Stevan Ridley and could become a vital part of the mix as this season wears on.
Defense has been an issue for the Patriots the past few seasons in terms of yards allowed and 2012 was no exception. It did a fairly good job at stopping the run, but was ranked 29th against the pass and 25th overall in the NFL in total yards allowed. The good news is that this unit has always remained tough to score on; giving-up an average of 20.7 points a game.
Belichick used the draft to address this side of the ball by using five of his seven picks on defensive players including former Southern Miss linebacker Jamie Collins in the first round.
New England also added safety Adrian Wilson and defensive lineman Tommy Kelly through free agency.
The bottom line for the Patriots this season is that they still remain one of the elite teams in the AFC, but the confidence level in wagering on them to win both the conference and the Super Bowl has clearly been shaken.
Look for another double-digit win total in the regular season and a trip to the Divisional Round of the playoffs, but that is as far as it goes.
With NFL Preseason Week 3 games here Cappers Picks NFL Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team Football Predictions and NFL Season Previews for those of us who can’t wait.
Bet on the Super Bowl XLVIII winner, plus 2013 Conference and Divisional winners today.
