New England Patriots Should Go Undefeated in 2008

There is nothing to say that the New England Patriots can't go undefeated again this year. It's probably something the Patriots don't want to think about, especially since the season hasn't even started.

An undefeated season is a dream season that only the select few will ever get to witness, let alone experience first hand. It all turns into a nightmare if the team doesn't win the Super Bowl.

So how does that affect the 2008 New England Patriots? A loss like that can break a team apart. Players often jump ship to other teams to try their hand. Others retire after hanging on for one more shot, yet, having nothing left in the tank, they decide to retire.

Whatever is the case for the Patriots, this team will not fall into a funk. Tom Brady is not fragile, physically or mentally. If anything, what happened last year has made the Patriots more dangerous.

They still have the same powerhouse offense, with minor tweaks here and there. The reality is that the Patriots have a team that could go undefeated all season and this time, they'll finish it off with a Super Bowl victory on Feb. 1, in Tampa Bay.

Tom Brady knows what it takes to win. With Brady never having lost a Super Bowl before that, he has the awful taste of defeat on his tongue that will only be removed with another ring. He will be extra motivated to win this year.

The 2007 Patriots knew they could win a game whenever they wanted to. Had it not been for some breaks that went the way of the Giants, it would have been Brady hoisting the Lombardi trophy.

The sad thing about last year's Patriots was that they went through the season in a very smart fashion. They never looked too far ahead, and were well coached all the way through. The media attention was still there, but they had a very smart focus. It never seemed like they were over confident.

The Indianapolis Colts dealt with the possibility of going undefeated, but were almost relieved when the loss came to put their streak to an end. It took the pressure off, which allowed them to focus on winning the Super Bowl. I don't think that was an issue with the Patriots, and I can guarantee you it won't be a problem this year either.

There are a few things that lead one to believe that they can repeat the feat this year, and finish with a Super Bowl victory.

1) They are in a weak division.

Playing the Bills and the Dolphins twice in the season gives you a bit of a break down the stretch.

2) Losses will not be tolerated.

When the Colts lost, it was a relief. This team is more motivated to win every game, and don't expect the Patriots will hold back. They were accused of running up the score last year, but don't expect that to change this year. Expect more of the pedal to the floor.

3) Less Media Attention.

More people watched Super Bowl XLII than any other Super Bowl in history, specifically because of the possibility of seeing a team go undefeated through the whole season. The hype won't be as big because it'll seem old hat to those bandwagon fans.

If the Pats make it to the Super Bowl in Tampa without a loss to that point, it will be heavily watched, but not to the extent as last year.

4) The Schedule

The Patriots have three weeks to build their confidence against the Chiefs, Jets, and Dolphins before their bye week. Then, they face a stiffer competition before playing the powerhouse that is the Chargers in Week Six.

The schedule remains competitive in the middle of the season, while getting a little easier near the end. The Chargers and Colts SHOULD be the only legitimate Super Bowl competition, and should those two weeks end up as wins, don't expect anyone else to beat the 2008 Patriots.

Whether or not the Patriots go undefeated in the regular season, expect to see Tom Brady solidify his place in Canton with another Super Bowl victory on Feb. 1, in Tampa Bay, FL.