Tom Brady: Can He Win a Super Bowl Without a Defense?

Tom Brady is a Hall of Fame quarterback. He has three Super Bowls, is in the top 15 in touchdowns and is part of the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000s.

His NFL record are numerous (most touchdown passes in a regular season (50), highest single-game completion percentage, regular season or postseason (26/28, 92.9 percent), most completions in one Super Bowl, most completions in Super Bowl history (career), the highest winning percentage of any quarterback ever during his first 100 starts (76 wins) and the longest streak of games with three or more touchdown passes (10 games) just to name a few).

But in a season when his defense has been struggling to stop opponents the onus is on Brady to lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl on his own.

Can he do it?

5. No. Defense Wins Championships.

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England points at the defense at the line of scrimmage against the San Diego Chargers during their NFL game on October 24, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Mi

Yes, it is a cliche but it has been a rarity in the NFL for a team to win a championship without a defense, while there are numerous occasions of teams winning championships without an offense.

Look at the Baltimore Ravens in 2000 or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 as two recent teams that won Super Bowls with fantastic defense and manageable offenses.

5. Yes. Peyton Manning Did It.

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Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning after Super Bowl XLI between the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida on February 4, 2007. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

In 2006, Peyton Manning led the much maligned Indianapolis Colts' defense to a Super Bowl.

Yes the Colts' defense played inspired football in the playoffs, but Peyton Manning was really the guy who brought home the Lombardi Trophy to Indianapolis.

And frankly, as far as Brady is concerned, if Manning did it, he can do it too.

4. No. Brady Always Had a Defense In the Past

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Teddy Bruschi #54 of the New England Patriots celebrates during the game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2006 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

During the Patriots' three Super Bowl seasons the real star of the team was the defense.

With guys like Ty Law, Teddy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest, Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour the Pats were dominant on defense and only used Brady as a game manager.

4. Yes. There's No Dominant NFL Team This Season.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to throw a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Bengal 26-10.

Along with the Patriots, the Jets are the only other team with nine wins in the AFC so far this year.

With no real front runner, Brady has no team that is standing in his way aside from the rival Jets.

In a playoff situation I like Brady against the Jets' defense a lot more than I like Mark Sanchez against anybody.

3. No. Too Many Injuries.

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FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 26: Kevin Faulk #33 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the first half against the St. Louis Rams on August 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

With key players like Kevin Faulk, Steven Gostkowski, Fred Taylor, Ty Warren, Nick Kaczur and Leigh Bodden all on injured reserve, lots of inexperienced players are filling in.

Because of the injuries the young Patriots have been making mistakes not normal of Bill Belichick coached team.

If the mistakes continue, it could prevent this team from winning in the playoffs.

3. Yes. More Balanced on Offense.

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 of the New England Patriots carries the ball in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts on November 21, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 31-28.

With the departure of Randy Moss, the Patriots are without a real big name offensive weapon for Brady. That has forced the Patriots to be a lot more balanced than in previous years.

The running game still isn't completely up to speed, but Brady is back to spreading the ball around to a lot of different receivers and has been playing some of the best football of his career.

2. No. No Dominant Running Game.

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Fred Taylor #21 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Johnathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL season opener on September 12, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated t

In 2004, the last season the Patriots won a Super Bowl, Corey Dillon was the starting running back for the Pats. Dillon finished the season with over 1600 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Since then, the running back position has been forgotten in New England and this season is no different.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis has been a reliable player this year, but the running game has not been the focal point and when the playoffs arrive that is going to be a problem.

2. Yes. Deion Branch > Randy Moss

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Deion Branch #84 of the New England Patriots reacts after teammate in the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

As crazy as it might sound, for this Patriots team Deion Branch is better than Randy Moss.

Branch came over in a trade from the Seahawks this year and has been a favorite target for Brady since his return to New England.

Branch was a Super Bowl MVP for the Patriots in Superbowl XXXIX. He was also a member of two of Brady's three Super Bowl teams. His addition has been a welcome one for the receiving core who was missing a go-to receiver after Moss was traded.

1. No. Too Many Rookies in Key Positions.

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Aaron Hernandez #85 of the New England Patriots runs through a tackle from David Harris #52 of the New York Jets during the first quarter at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jer

The Patriots' rookies have good this season but there have been mistakes made in key situations by many of them.

Aaron Hernandez has provided a big target from the tight end position but he has also had a few drops in key situations.

Devin McCourty has been a good addition to the Patriots but until he is tested in high pressure situations in the playoffs the jury is still out.

If the rookies step up in the playoffs, this won't be a problem, but until those situations present themselves, this will still be a reason against the Patriots.

1. Yes. The Defense Is Improving

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings is knocked down by Gary Guyton #59 of the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

For the Patriots the defense has been getting better the past few weeks.

Gary Guyton has been a big addition at linebacker. Patrick Chung and Brandon Meriweather have been a good duo from at the safety positions. Brandon Spikes is going to be a future star for the Patriots.

Now if the defense continues to play as well as they have the past few weeks then they will be the favorites come playoff time.

Verdict: Will Tom Brady Lead the Pats to The Super Bowl?

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Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy as he stands on the podium after The New England Patriots defeated The Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Staduim in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Will Tom Brady overcome the inconsistent and young Patriots' defense to win the Super Bowl this year?

I think he will.

Brady has been playing some of the best football of his career the past few weeks and the defense has been improving.

In a year without a dominant team, the Pats could set themselves up for a good run if they can stay healthy and get plenty of reps for the young players on their roster.