NFL Playoff Predictions: Why the New England Patriots Are Destined To Stumble

NFL Playoff Predictions: The New England Patriots are the favorites to win Super Bowl XLV.

A ridiculous turnover margin of +29 and some guy named Tom Brady are enough to think they can run through the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers or whoever else might get in their way.

But that's why they play the games.

There are no guarantees in NFL playoff football. Just ask the New Orleans Saints.

So while the Patriots currently seem unstoppable to me and thousands of football fans, they're not.

Here are 10 reasons why New England is destined to stumble at some point in the playoffs.

10. The Linebackers' Health

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Tully Banta-Cain (#95) of the New England Patriots celebrates scoring the fourth touchdown during the NFL International Series match between New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium on October 25, 200

The health of New England's outside linebackers is a big question mark heading into the Divisional Round.

Eric Moore (leg), Jermaine Cunningham (calf) and Tully Banta-Cain (groin) have all missed practices over the last couple of weeks.

It is likely that all three will be ready to play, but the Patriots just re-signed Marques Murrell as insurance.

A thin linebacker corps could be an issue in New England throughout the playoffs. 

9. The Kicking Game

Kicker Shayne Graham has filled in nicely since the injury to Stephen Gostkowski, hitting all 12 of his field goal attempts as a Patriot.

But his longest field goal on the season is just 41 yards, and he was 0-for-2 on field goals in the playoffs last season (with the Cincinnati Bengals).

Graham's range probably won't be more than 45 yards or so, which could impact New England's offensive strategy if the team is in position to kick a long-range field goal.

Also, especially against the Jets' Antonio Cromartie and Brad Smith, Graham can't afford to give opposing kick returners any space on kickoffs. 

8. Overlooking the Jets?

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Jermaine Cunningham #96 and Jarrad Page #44 of the New England Patriots celebrate a defensive stop in the second quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo

The last time the Jets played the Patriots, New England beat down, embarrassed and flat-out owned Rex Ryan's crew.

So entering this game, you have to wonder if the Patriots are thinking, "This team sucks. We're gonna kill em."

Of course it isn't customary of Bill Belichick coached teams to overlook any opponents, but there's always that possibility.

I mean, 45-3? The Patriots have to be incredibly confident going into this one.

Patriots fans are just hoping they're not too confident. 

7. LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Shonn Greene #23 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jets won 17-16. (Photo b

The Patriots have the league's No. 11 rush defense, and are light-years better than the Indianapolis Colts in that department.

Still, the Jets' LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene combined for 35 carries, 152 yards and two touchdowns against Indianapolis in the Wild Card Round last week. 

New England has been pretty thin on the defensive line since Mike Wright has been out of action, and rookie Kyle Love has taken the majority of the snaps as his replacement.

With the way the Jets stick with the run, the Patriots have to be concerned about their D-line and whether or not that unit is healthy enough to stop New York's running back duo.

6. Playing Below Their Talent Level

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns scores a touchdown in front of Jerod Mayo #51 of the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty I

For the most part, the Patriots have played up to or even above their talent level.

But New England also lost to the Jets by 14 points, gave up 30 points to the Buffalo Bills, lost by 20 points to the Cleveland Browns and nearly lost to a Green Bay Packers team with Matt Flynn at quarterback.

With the craziness that is the NFL, any team can beat any opponent any week.

And if the Patriots have another stinker like they did against the Browns, that'll be all she wrote.

5. Reintegrating Brandon Spikes

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Devin McCourty #32, Brandon Spikes #55 and Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots celebrate after McCourty intercepted a pass in the third quarter against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 6, 2010 i

Rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes had gradually become an integral part of New England's defense, but he was suspended for the final four games of the regular season.

It's not that his presence was missed all that much during his absence, but he will return to the Patriots defense this week and that could affect the chemistry on New England's D.

Will Spikes be up to playing speed? Will he struggle to get back into the mix?

It's not a foregone conclusion that he'll help the Patriots defense. 

In fact, he may even hurt it. 

4. Receiving Defense

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets catches a touchdown against Darius Butler #28 of the New England Patriots during their game on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey

During the regular season, the Patriots ranked 30th in receiving defense.

New England's secondary gave up 11.2 yards per passing attempt and 25 touchdown passe. Only nine teams gave up more and just two of them (Seattle and Philadelphia) were in the playoffs.

When the Patriots take on the Jets, they'll be dealing with Braylon Edwards, Brad Smith and Santonio Holmes.

There's also the possibility of facing someone like Mike Wallace, Anquan Boldin, Greg Jennings or Roddy White down the road.

New England has gotten torched by these playmaking wide receivers all season, and it could come back to haunt them.

3. The Curse of the No. 1 Seed

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: The scoreboard is seen after the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

A No. 1 seed in the AFC results in home field advantage, but is it really much of advantage?

Nah, not really.

Here's a look at how AFC No. 1 seeds have fared since 2000.

2009: Indianapolis Colts: Lost to Saints in Super Bowl

2008: Tennessee Titans: Lost to Ravens in Divisional Round

2007: New England Patriots: Undefeated but lost Super Bowl

2006: San Diego Chargers: Lost in Divisional Round

2005: Indianapolis Colts: Lost in Divisional Round

2004: Pittsburgh Steelers: Lost AFC Championship

2003: New England Patriots: Won Super Bowl

2002: Oakland Raiders: Lost Super Bowl

2001: Pittsburgh Steelers: Lost AFC Championship

2000: Tennessee Titans: Lost in Divisional Round

Yeah, the Patriots are the exception to the rule, but this is a different ball club.

Top seeds in the AFC generally don't win the Super Bowl.

3. Third and Fourth Down Defense

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 14: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs by the New England Patriots defense during the game on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

During the regular season, the Patriots had a tough time getting their defense off the field.

New England allowed opposing offenses to convert 12 of 20 fourth-down tries (60 percent), which was ranked 24th in the NFL.

The Patriots also allowed opposing offenses to convert 99 of 210 third-down tries (47.1), which was the worst of all 32 NFL teams.

That's not a good sign for a team who will likely be in a couple of close games in a tough AFC.

1. The Secondary

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Joshua Cribbs #16 of the Cleveland Browns jumps for a pass with cornerback Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/

Aside from the fact that New England's secondary is young, inexperienced and has some players making their first playoff appearances, the Patriots pass defense isn't as good as its 25 interceptions might indicate.

New England's defense has given up 25 passing touchdowns (as I mentioned earlier), 7.1 yards per pass attempt, 259 yards per game (ranked 30th) and has also allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 63.5 percent of their passes (ranked 24th and third-worst among playoff teams).

Yes, you can't just ignore the production of that unit elsewhere, like from Devin McCourty, but the secondary's inexperience could be a huge factor in the Divisional Round and down the road.

New England's secondary can't afford to give up a ton of yards or touchdowns while letting opposing quarterbacks complete passes at will.