Giants vs. Patriots: Why New England Will Have Easier Time Returning to Big Game

Not one of the past six Super Bowl winners has returned to the big game the next year. In fact, none of the previous six winners has even won a playoff game the next season. And that is just one reason why I think the New England Patriots have a better chance of returning to the Super Bowl next year than the New York Giants.

The Patriots certainly have some holes to fill. This season their secondary was atrocious and they could use an upgrade or two at cornerback. Meanwhile, the front seven could use an influx of young talent and I think they would do well to address those needs with the two first-round picks they have in this year's NFL draft. There are a ton of edge rushers, solid defensive ends and tackles that could immediately upgrade things for New England.

In addition to that, the Patriots need to re-sign unrestricted free-agent receiver Wes Welker, and I think it is pretty much a guarantee that they will. They could also use an upgrade at the No. 2 wideout position since Deion Branch is clearly not what he once was. New England currently doesn't have a receiver who can stretch the field with regularity and that limits the team's offense.

Still, with quarterback Tom Brady returning along with (presumably) Welker and tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots should once again have one of the NFL's best offenses. 

Brady is 34 but he can still sling it, and Hernandez and Gronkowski could be even better next season as they continue to develop. If New England could just add a few more pieces on defense and upgrade one or two offensive liabilities, the team could be really scary next year.

Given how hard Brady took his team's loss in Super Bowl XLVI, I would expect him to be raring to go when the 2012 season kicks off. He won't let his team fail to live up to expectations.