NFL 2010 Season Predictions: AFC East New England Patriots

Today we have the New England Patriots.

New England Patriots

Last Season: (10-6), AFC East Division Champs (Lost to Ravens in Wildcard Game)

2010 NFL Draft: CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers, Rd. 1/Pick 27), TE Rob Gronkowski (Arizona, Rd. 2/Pick 10), DE Jermaine Cunningham (Florida, Rd. 2/Pick 21), LB Brandon Spikes (Florida, Rd. 2/Pick 30), WR Taylor Price (Ohio, Rd. 3/Pick 26), TE Aaron Hernandez (Florida Rd. 4/Pick 15), P Zoltan Mesko (Michigan, Rd. 5/Pick 19), OL Ted Larsen (NC State, Rd. 6 /Pick 36), OL Thomas Welch (Vanderbilt, Rd. 7/Pick 1), DE Brandon Deaderick (Alabama, Rd. 7/Pick 40), DT Kade Weston (Georgia, Rd. 7/Pick 41), QB Zac Robinson (Ok. State, Rd. 7/Pick 43)

Key Additions: TE Alge Crumpler (from Titans), WR Torry Holt (from the Jaguars), DT Gerard Warren (from Raiders)

Key Losses: DE Jarvis Green (to Broncos), CB Shawn Springs (released), TE Ben Watson (to Browns), LB Adalius Thomas (Released)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: Bengals

Week 2: @ NY Jets

Week 3: Bills

Week 4: @ Dolphins

Week 5: BYE

Week 6: Ravens

Week 7: @ Chargers

Week 8: Vikings

Week 9: @ Browns

Week 10: @ Steelers

Week 11: Colts

Week 12: @ Lions

Week 13: NY Jets

Week 14: @ Bears

Week 15: Packers

Week 16: @ Bills

Week 17: Dolphins

Analysis: This may be the first year in 10 years that Bill Belichick’s Patriots are not the runaway favorite to win the division. But, Belichick, being the mastermind he is, had one of the best NFL drafts this year out of any team, and signed on a very good tight end and an aging wide receiver to help the offense. The problem there? The offense, still with Tom Brady at the helm and Randy Moss to catch balls is not the problem. They may not have done as good last year as they did in their almost undefeated season, but they produced enough. The problem is the defense. Anybody could see this coming a few years ago. They were good, but the defense was old. Now that has caught up to them. Their first round pick Devin McCourty should help in the backfield, but they still need some help. Jerod Mayo will have to step up big this year, and with help from former Gator Brandon Spikes, the linebackers have a chance to improve this year. The line is what I’m worried about. But hey, they got the best college punter in Zoltan Mesko, so maybe that will help the defense.

2010 Season Prediction: 10-6, Third in AFC East